Love Beyond the Mask novel Chapter 1294

Tina couldn’t exactly spill the beans now, so she just glared at someone, full of resentment. “It wasn’t on purpose, you know.”

“Oh, so now you’re making excuses? Sandy, what are we supposed to do?” The man shot her a dark look.

Sandy froze—hadn’t he been the one looking after Tina for the past four years? And now he was asking her, a rookie mom…

She blinked. “Obviously, we need to get her changed. I’ll grab a towel—”

“This is the Lippert place, let’s not trouble them. Besides, Tina’s used to her own stuff.”

The man shamelessly nudged Tina closer.

She rolled her eyes and pouted, “Mom, the Nelsons live right next door. Can you just come back with me and help me change? There’s nothing of mine at Uncle Sammy’s place anyway.”

“Go to the Nelsons?” Sandy’s eyelids fluttered, and she bit her lip a little too hard.

Her lips turned pink, and Shane watched, knowing full well she didn’t want to go.

But he had to push her—he needed a private moment to talk. So, scooping up his daughter, he muttered, “Forget it, your mom’s not up for it. Dad will help you get changed. Geez, you’re still burning up after getting soaked. When are you gonna stop getting sick?”

The moment Sandy heard that, she hurried after him. “Then do it fast! You’re slow on your own—don’t let her catch a chill!”

Shane caught the soft scent of her as she hurried close, staring at her dark hair with a crooked grin.

Tina caught her dad’s smug look and pinched his big hand hard. “You’re so shameless!”

He snorted. “If I had any shame, would you even be here?”

“Huh?”

“Kids shouldn’t be so noisy.”

Shane flicked her nose, then placed her gently in Sandy’s arms.

He was tall, and when he bent down, his strong arm brushed Sandy’s slender shoulder. The closeness and the subtle tension made Sandy’s heart skip a beat.

She glanced at Justin, who was giggling with Danny and Sammy, clearly not all there. The old lady sighed inwardly.

Ludwik caught her meaning. He dabbed his mouth with a napkin, then said, “You don’t need to worry about Justin. I’ll be heading to Eurovoria again soon—I’ve heard there are top doctors there, I’ll make sure to bring one back for him.”

Riley looked up in surprise. “You’re going to Eurovoria again?”

“Business trip?” Joanne piped up, grinning. “That’s fantastic!”

But Natalie’s expression turned stiff in an instant. She knew she shouldn’t interrupt family dinner, but she shot a glance at Jason across the table. He looked back, eyes dark, and subtly shook his head.

Natalie gripped her fork tightly, then whispered, “Ludwik, I need to talk to you after dinner.”

Ludwik knew there was no dodging it. He nodded. “Mom, you go ahead and eat.”

“Grandma, you too.”

Whitney didn’t get involved in their family drama. Just then, she thought she heard crying from upstairs—probably the baby waking up. The doctor was probably checking her temperature. Whitney washed her hands and headed up the stairs.