Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

"Ms. Turner, is that really how you feel?" Gary's sharp gaze softened just a little.

Whitney frowned deeply, noticing the way Shane looked at Sandy-like he could crush her with a glance.

But Sandy, oblivious or simply stubborn, stood her ground. She cast a brief, startled look at furious Shane, then dropped her eyes and spoke softly, "Yes. I don't want to marry Mr. Nelson.

Finding out I'm Tina's mother so suddenly has thrown my whole world upside down. The memories I've lost make Mr. Nelson feel like a stranger to me. You can't force love-it doesn't work that way.

Mr. Nelson, I don't remember the past four years. You're asking if I still have feelings for you?

I'm sorry, but I just don't know anymore."

She'd answered him honestly-her heart was cold as ice.

Shane let out a bitter laugh, his jaw clenched as he stared at her pale, determined face. "You say you can't force love? So who is it you'd rather marry? Silas? Are you blind, Sandy? With that attitude, I doubt you're much of a mother to Tina either. If you don't want to marry me, then don't even bother coming to see your daughter!"

his angry outburst, her

Nelson frowned at her son's intimidating tone. "Shane, that's

hearing her daddy say her mommy couldn't visit

you, but honestly, what did you expect? You just dropped this bombshell on her this morning and now you want her to say 'I do' by lunch? If it were me, I'd laugh in

talking, you're only making it worse. If you keep this up, you'll push her so far

thinks I'm not good enough," Shane growled, his dark eyes burning

to strong-arm me either. You practically tricked her

accepted that. What are

finally seemed to get through to

stared at Sandy,

so hurt made his chest ache. Maybe he shouldn't

was too proud to

turned to look at his still-sobbing