Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

She couldn't quite figure out what was wrong with her daughter, but seeing Tina

looking so pale and listless, Sandy wasn't about to take any chances. She gently

took her daughter's hand and didn't let go.

She turned around and found three nosy faces gawking at her-Danny and

Sammy with their jaws practically on the floor, while Shane shot them a secret

thumbs-up behind Sandy's back.

Whitney rolled her eyes and muttered, "Great, teaching the kids all the wrong

things."

Sandy blinked, confused, and walked over. "Sis?"

Whitney shook her head with a wry smile. "Nothing. We're all packed up. The

Lippert family sent four or five SUVs to pick us up. Sandy, let's get going."

She turned to Shane. "You're picking up Ludwik, right? He can't walk yet. Didn't

you say you'd take him home? That brotherly love, huh?"

She teased, and Shane shot her a glare, scratched his nose, and shoved his

hands in his pockets. "Tina, let your mom take care of you."

Sandy couldn't help but feel relieved-she'd much rather spend time with her

daughter than be stuck alone with Shane anyway.

But just as they were leaving the pediatric wing, Sandy's phone buzzed. It was

Shane, and he didn't sound happy: "Whitney, get over to the surgical ward."

now?" Whitney grumbled as she loaded

line, sullen and put-upon. "You sent Shane to

yourself? What's that supposed to mean, Whitney?

discharged."

Ludwik...

it. She could've cheerfully whacked him with

not a royal parade. What do you

Who spoils you

just want you to push my

eyes so hard it hurt. "I have to look after

Stop being ridiculous. Everyone, just get in

early."

seemed to mollify

was sick

in peak attention-seeking mode,

Shane

he was watching

sitcom.

wouldn't let it go. "Sandy's there, there are tons

but I want you to come

need for ceremony

turn into such

Bryce making him scared for his

up and

looked puzzled. "Sis,

and insists I

"Ludwik's

her a look. She wanted to say, 'Your Shane isn't much better,

you're still laughing?'

way," Whitney raised

Shane? You two seem off

bit her lip and shook

the little