Kneeling for a Second 256

Chapter 256 

Sebastian averted his gaze, unwilling to meet Valeria’s gaze. From where he stood, the open door gave him a clear view of the suitcase sitting in the living room. 

The bags were already packed. 

The place looked neat, almost too neat, as if no one had really been living there. If not for Margaret’s illness, Valeria probably wouldn’t have returned to Slate City at all. 

And the cruel truth was, he was the cause of it. 

Was he really about to drive Valeria away again? 

He had already hurt her so deeply, yet here he was, pushing her to leave the very city she had once called home. 

If not for him, she and Selena might still be here, living the simple yet happy and cozy life like 

before. 

Sebastian had already uncovered the truth that Valeria’s marriage to Shane had been nothing more than a contract marriage. She had agreed to it to secure Selena’s preschool admission, while Shane did so for the sake of his dying father. 

She had clawed her way into building a life here in Slate City. Yet, step by step, he was driving 

her out. 

Ever since that day at Grace Fellowship Church, Maverick’s words had echoed in his head. 

Sebastian should have left, yet he tried to reel Valeria back in, clinging to her with guilt and twisted affection. So this was what they meant when they said he didn’t know how to love. 

Valeria shut the door. Her hand instinctively came to rest on Selena’s shoulder, pulling the 

little one close. 

Then, she shifted, stepping in front of Selena like a shield as she asked Sebastian, “What are you doing here?” 

He caught Valeria’s movement, and something in his gaze faltered. 

“I heard Ruby gave you a hard time at the hospital,” Sebastian said. His voice was raw from too many nights of drinking. He looked drained, his designer shirt rumpled, and his whole demeanor was weighed down by defeat. 

Valeria frowned as she replied, “She accused me of seducing you and said I should stay away 

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from you.” 

“I’m sorry…” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “I’ll make it clear to her. And if anything like this happens again, you can tell me.” 

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“And then what? What would you do if I told you? Isn’t Ruby one of the women your family lined up for you anyway? You both are doctors. I guess that makes you two a good fit.” 

Then, she glanced down at Selena and said quietly, “Lenny, let’s head downstairs.” 

Selena looked up at Sebastian, then at Valeria, before nodding. 

Then, he responded, “Ruby may like me, but that doesn’t mean I have to reciprocate her feelings. I know you don’t want to see me, but there are things I need to say. 

“From the very beginning, Valeria, you’ve been the only woman I’ve ever loved.” 

Whether she was Jane or Valeria, it didn’t make any difference. He still loved her. He would never agree to a marriage alliance or take another woman as his wife. 

Valeria was the only one who made the idea of marriage matter. 

She tried to pull her hand back, but Sebastian’s grip was firm. 

She looked at his hand and said flatly, “These things don’t matter anymore. Let go of me. Lenny and I have a photo session, and we’re going to be late.” 

“Let me drive you there,” he offered, his lips moving almost hesitantly. Avoiding her cold, clear gaze, he repeated, “Let me take you.” 

The drive was silent. 

20 minutes later, they arrived at a photo studio. 

Valeria took Selena inside while Sebastian stayed in the car, watching their figures disappear through the doorway. 

He knew he should leave. If he didn’t want Valeria to grow even more tired of him, walking away was the only smart choice. 

However, Sebastian couldn’t resist going inside to check them out. 

As soon as he stepped through the door, a staff member glanced at him and said, “There’s a waiting area for family over here. Your wife and daughter are getting their makeup done.” 

If Valeria had heard that, she would have either corrected them or ignored it altogether. 

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However, she was in the dressing room. 

Sebastian was the only one who heard it. He froze. 

For the first time in a long while, he felt a spark of hope. 

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If this had happened at Grant Group, he probably would’ve given that staff a fat bonus check right then and there. 

Meanwhile, Valeria was in the dressing room with Selena. 

The photo session was mainly for Selena, though they also planned to take a couple of family portraits. 

She picked out three looks for Selena. The first was a blue Ice Princess dress, which the stylist mentioned was their most popular and sought–after look. The second was a playful 

watermelon – themed summer outfit. And the last was Selena’s favorite, a soft daisy–yellow sundress she had brought from home. 

When the photo session began, Valeria stood off to the side with her phone in hand, quietly recording the moment. 

Every year, she brought Selena in for portraits, each session marking another stage in Selena’s 

life. 

What she didn’t realize was that Sebastian was taking pictures of her. Through his lens, he caught Valeria’s slender back, while Selena clutched a watermelon prop, her round face glowing against it. 

The studio was huge, with three separate rooms just for sample outfits–children’s clothes, wedding gowns, formal wear, and props for both men and women. 

Sebastian stood still before a blue wedding dress. The hem brushed against his pants. 

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