Kneeling for a Second 217

Chapter 217 

Valeria agreed softly and stood up. She borrowed a mask from the nurse’s station and handed it to Sebastian. “Do you think you could…” 

“No,” Sebastian flatly cut her off before she could finish, leaning against the wall outside the 

ward. 

Valeria’s hand, holding the mask, froze in midair. 

She tried again, “Do me a favor.” 

“Ms. Neal, why would I help you with our current relationship?” Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest as he lazily leaned against the wall. He lowered his eyes and scanned her face. Valeria’s face was pale, and her eyes were red and swollen. Her lashes were wet and clumped together. Her hair was also a mess, tied carelessly into a low ponytail. 

From his angle, he could see under her black jacket. It was a black sweater, and the collar was loose and tilted, which meant it probably wasn’t a woman’s cut. 

It looked like Shane’s clothes. 

Sebastian clenched his jaw. He reached out, and his fingers pressed against the zipper at her collar, pulling it down in one smooth motion. 

His face darkened instantly. 

Sure enough, it was a man’s sweater. 

A fire burned inside him, and he knocked the mask right out of Valeria’s hand. 

“Sebastian…” Valeria glanced at his retreating back, then looked once more toward the ward. She hurried after him and grabbed his sleeve, 

Sebastian tugged at his sleeve, but she wouldn’t let go. 

He turned his head and looked at her, staring for a moment. “Are you mute? Is this how you ask for help?” 

“Please, help me,” Valeria pleaded. 

Sebastian lowered his head. After days of running back and forth in the hospital, there was a faint stubble on his chin. When he turned around, the roughness scraped lightly against her cheek. “Ms. Neal, I don’t help for free.” 

X CLOS 

Chapter 217 

17 

That “Ms. Neal,” being repeated over and over in his cold tone, stung. Valeria understood. Just a few days ago, she had told him they were over, and now she was asking for help again. 

He had already done enough. 

He had already brought her here when she had no way out. 

She had simply panicked just now, losing all sense when she saw Margaret lying in a hospital 

bed. 

She had been foolish. 

How could she ask Sebastian to wear a mask and pretend to be Shane just to comfort Margaret? 

She was truly desperate. 

“Thank you for bringing me here tonight.” Valeria composed herself a little and reached into her jacket pocket. She had her cardholder inside, with cash and bank cards. 

She pulled out some money, exactly the price she’d agreed on with the driver earlier. “Sorry to trouble you. 

He didn’t take it. Valeria shoved the money into the pocket of his coat, quickly said her piece, and turned toward the ward. 

She walked so fast that she didn’t notice Sebastian reaching out and almost grabbing her wrist. 

“What a heartless woman,” he muttered through gritted teeth. 

Would it kill her to just ask him properly? 

What could he even do to her? 

Watching her retreating figure, Sebastian bit down hard as he bent to pick up the mask from the ground. He slipped it over his face and walked after her. 

Valeria had just sat down on the chair when he followed her inside. 

On the bed, Margaret couldn’t sleep. She lay on her side, drenched in cold sweat. Margaret struggled to hold herself up as she looked at the tall figure beside Valeria. “Shane…” 

Valeria also felt the seat beside her sink. Sebastian sat down, and his reply felt stuck to his throat. 

Unwillingly, he forced out, “Yes.”