Chapter 113
Sebastian wondered if Valeria was already staring at his message, thinking about how to reply or if she was debating whether to reply at all.
Valeria still hadn’t replied by the time Sebastian got home.
He headed to,the treadmill, using the dopamine from the workout to get a temporary mental high. Sebastian relished that focused, mindless rush of blood and adrenaline. He needed to let off some steam and calm down.
Half an hour later, Sebastian went to the bathroom. He planted both hands on the sink and looked at his reflection in the mirror.
Sweat was dripping from his chin. His dark hair was damp, with a few strands falling across his forehead. His eyes were clear, but seemed bottomless.
He was calm enough now. And in that calm, he did something morally questionable.
If his actions at Valeria’s home had been driven by a sudden rush of jealousy due to that ordinary man appearing beside her, then there was no such trigger or excuse now.
Valeria was getting ready for bed. She turned off the bedside lamp and lay down. Just before she closed her eyes, she took one last glance at her work group chat.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed with a message from Sebastian. Then, in the very next second, she flipped the phone face down and shoved it under the blanket, brushing her fingers over
her flushed cheeks.
It took her a long time before she picked up the phone again, sending a singular question mark
back.
Sebastian had sent her a photo. He looked like he had just finished working out. His abs were tense and flushed, while his muscles were clearly defined.
The photo didn’t show his face, just the edge of his jaw, where sweat glistened and trailed down across his chest.
Staring at her question mark, Sebastian sent back one of his own. Then, he watched as the application showed that she was typing.
He braced himself against the bathroom wall with a hand, closing his eyes as he steadied his breathing, all while imagining her blushing face. She was so beautiful.
The next day, Valeria took Selena on a long–distance ride to Margaret’s home. With how convenient transportation was now, it dropped them right at the village entrance.
Chapter 113
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The weather was quite cold, so there weren’t many people on the road.
When Valeria unlocked the door with her key, Margaret heard the sound and came out to greet them, looking pleasantly surprised.
Selena ran up and grabbed Margaret’s hand, swinging it playfully. “Great–Grandma, did you miss me?”
“I missed you so much!” Margaret held one of Selena’s hands in hers and reached out with the other to grasp Valeria’s. “Why are your hands so cold? Come inside and warm up. Was the trip tiring?”
Valeria squeezed Margaret’s hand and noticed that her hands were quite cold as well.
Since it was Selena’s birthday, Margaret had prepared a whole table of dishes in advance.
Valeria had brought a new jacket and knee warmers for Margaret.
The house was freezing. After Valeria boiled a kettle of hot water, she said, “Granny, after the New Year, why don’t you come live with us in Slate City?”
Selena eagerly nodded. “Yes! Great–Grandma, I miss you so much. I want to see you every day!
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Margaret just smiled and waved her hand, stroking Selena’s hair. “I don’t want to live with you youngsters. I’m doing just fine here. I’ve got plenty to eat and wear. There are even cabbages, sweet potatoes, and potatoes in the cellar. It’s all healthy and natural food.”
Valeria and Selena spent the night there. They left on Sunday afternoon.
Valeria hated goodbyes, even temporary ones. As she looked at Margaret’s frail, thin figure in the cold wind, Valeria suddenly felt her eyes sting with tears.
Growing up meant facing many goodbyes. She missed her childhood so dearly. At the time, Valeria’s uncle and aunt had been kind people.
She boarded the bus, and as it drove off, Selena waved at Margaret through the window. The bus slowly pulled away, and Margaret’s figure grew smaller and smaller, until it disappeared.
