Kneeling for a Second 210

Chapter 210 

Valeria let Selena watch cartoons in the living room, then went to the kitchen to wash her hands and help Lucy. 

Lucy was feeling a little sentimental. 

The old–style range hood buzzed and rattled, dripping oil as it shook. 

Valeria glanced at it and thought that before she left, she should replace it with a new one for 

Lucy. 

People of Lucy’s generation were always saving and reluctant to spend. They scrimped on clothes and food, and endured pain without complaint unless the younger generation brought 

it up. 

Lucy sighed. “You really are leaving. I can’t bear to let you and Lenny go.” 

“I’ll come back to see you often,” Valeria said. 

Lucy couldn’t help asking, “You really don’t like Shane? Not even a little bit?” 

If there had been even a trace of feeling, Lucy would have worked hard from her son’s side to make it happen. 

Valeria smiled and shook her head. 

Lucy replied, “Then I guess we aren’t blessed enough.” 

At dinner, everyone raised their glasses. The three adults were drinking wine, while Selena had some fruit juice. 

Lucy suggested, “Valeria, why don’t you be my goddaughter? When I gave birth to Shane, I had wanted a daughter. But fate gave me a son.” 

Shane rubbed his nose, picked up the wine, and poured some for Valeria. “Mom has been discussing this with me these past few days. I’d also love to have a little sister.” 

Valeria froze for a moment. She looked at Lucy, whose eyes held eagerness and affection. Lucy had had an odd temper when Valeria first arrived here, but as time passed, Lucy had shown such care for both Valeria and Selena. It was something that Valeria deeply appreciated. Valeria had never known her own mother and had never experienced motherly love. It was only after giving birth to Selena that she slowly learned how to play the role of a mother. 

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20 

Now, her voice trembled slightly. “Godmother.” 

Lucy seemed elated as she served food to Valeria and Selena. “Tonight is a good night. There are so many dishes, and all four of us are gathered together. It’s so lively.” 

Selena bit into a rib. 

After thinking for a moment, she looked at Valeria, wondering what she should call Lucy. 

Valeria smiled. 

Lucy said, “You can call me whatever you like. You can call me ‘Grandma‘ one day and ‘Nana‘ 

the next. 

11 

Valeria turned to Shane. “Big brother.” 

“Uncle!” Selena shouted. 

Shane laughed and stood up. When he returned, he gave Selena a little toy. 

Valeria said, “Didn’t you already give her a gift during the New Year?” 

“That was from Shane, and this one is from Uncle Shane,” Shane said. 

This New Year felt warmer than any before. 

Valeria looked outside. 

Fireworks weren’t banned in Slate City, but they only appeared during holidays. Tonight, a family in the neighborhood had lit some. The fireworks weren’t large, but right in front of 

the fireworks blossomed beautifully across the night sky. 

their eyes, 

It was now the sixth day of the year. 

Sebastian had been extremely busy the past few days. At the hospital, holidays never meant rest. Near noon, an emergency consultation led to a sudden surgery. He assisted Shawn in completing a thoracic aortic dissection operation, which was dangerous but ultimately successful. 

In the afternoon, he spent five to six hours in the operating room. By evening, surgeries ran back–to–back until after nine. The final thoracoscopic procedure went smoothly, and the young girl was transferred safely to the ward. 

Jamie had gotten bolder recently. She had figured out that despite Sebastian’s cold exterior, he wasn’t hard to get along with. He simply ignored people. 

Jamie asked, “Sebastian, what’s gotten into you lately? You’ve been working nonstop. I think 

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Chapter 210 

you might break our hospital’s single–day surgery record. I’m truly impressed.” 

Sebastian didn’t respond. His face was stern, and he didn’t even look up as he turned and walked away. 

The next day, Sebastian finally had a rare day off. 

He spent it resting at home, and around six in the evening, he returned to the Grant residence. 

There, he saw Avery packing up Leo’s backpack, stuffing it full of things. The boy’s face seemed quite somber. When Leo saw Sebastian, he called out with some frustration, “Uncle Sebastian.” 

Sebastian’s voice was a little hoarse. “What’s wrong?” 

“There’s a festival going on today with fire shows,” Avery explained. “Leo really wanted to go, but Ms. Gabriella and Mr. Zayn went out with Mrs. Grant Senior. Mr. Alexander and Ms. Wendy will bring Leo over later.” 

Sebastian nodded and headed upstairs. But before he got to his room, someone grabbed his shirt. 

Leo asked, “Uncle Sebastian, can you bring me to the festival?” 

He had already made plans with Selena.