Kneeling for a Second 228

Chapter 228 

Chapter 228 

Valeria looked at that face in the photo, drew in a deep breath, then slowly closed her eyes. 

The picture slipped from her fingertips and fell to the ground. 

Just then, Margaret’s voice came from the phone. “Riri, did you 

“Yeah…” Valeria’s voice was tight and dry. “I found it.” 

find the photo?” 

1/3 

At the nurses’ station in Slate City Medical Center, a nurse lifted her head and saw a figure walking toward the break room. She froze for a second, then tapped the shoulder of the nurse next to her. 

“Dr. Grant came in for work.” 

“He took a week off. He’s back today?” Another nurse raised her head, propping herself up on the desk to look. 

“Don’t you think Dr. Grant looks thinner? Though honestly, I think he looks even more handsome… It’s giving that sickly beauty vibe… He used to be so cold that no one could get close.” 

“I heard from Dr. York that he supposedly had a breakup…” 

At once, the room buzzed with gossip. 

“Seriously? Dr. Grant, in a breakup?” 

“He has the kind of face that breaks other people’s hearts. And he’s the one who’s been broken up with?” 

“Don’t you see it? He really does look like he’s love-sick. Even his face carries that defeated air. Dr. York said he’s flying to Amstead Hospital next week, joining Dr. Gordon’s team for a two-week program. He probably just wants to get away from this place that broke his heart.” 

That evening, Sebastian went back to the Grant residence. He organized some documents in the study. 

Martha knocked on the door, carrying a plate of fruit. 

She had noticed the changes in her son the moment Sebastian came home. After only a week, her son had lost a lot of weight. His jaw was sharper, and even his cheeks were a little hollow. 

Color Knitzy 

Install 

X CLOSE 

Chapter 228 

2/3 

“Tell me what’s going on.” Martha felt like her son had grown colder. He wore glasses now, adding to his distant air. 

“I’m going to Amstead Hospital next week for half a month.” His eyes never left the computer screen, his voice calm. 

Martha tested the waters. “You and that… that woman… How are things going?” 

Sebastian held his breath, staring at the screen. Then, he saved the document and closed the laptop. “Don’t ever mention her in front of me again.” 

He didn’t want to hear anything about Valeria anymore. 

It was just fun and games, wasn’t it? Since he could afford to play, he should be able to let go 

Without Valeria, his world would remain as it always was. Her absence wouldn’t change anything. 

Martha wanted to say more, but she saw her son’s tightly clenched fists, his veins standing out across his hands, and his whole body radiating a chill as though the air itself had frozen. 

She didn’t dare ask another word. 

Half a year had passed. 

Valeria went to pick her daughter up from school in the afternoon. She had gotten off work early today. 

Life in the small county was leisurely and comfortable. Riding her electric bike from work to school took just over ten minutes. 

The students lined up for dismissal. Once released, Selena waved goodbye to her teacher and classmates, then ran toward Valeria with her backpack. “Mommy.” 

She hopped onto the back seat of the bike, wrapped her arms around Valeria’s waist, and began talking about her day at school. 

Summer break was coming. Selena was clearly excited. “Mommy, what’s for dinner tonight?” 

“Chicken noodle soup, sauteed spinach, and barbecue pork ribs. My dear Grandma already has dinner cooking at home.” Valeria pedaled on, the July summer breeze brushing her cheeks, smiling as she answered her daughter. 

They arrived home, greeting neighbors in the elevator. 

As Valeria opened the door, her phone rang. 

X CLOS 

Chapter 228. 

373 

She picked it up, just about to answer, when the call disconnected. 

The smell of food filled the air. The two dogs wagged their tails, staring toward the kitchen where Margaret was cooking. 

Selena called out to Margaret as she ran to the bathroom to wash her hands. 

Valeria set down her daughter’s backpack, sat on the sofa, and called the number back. 

Her throat felt dry. She lifted a glass of warm water from the table and took a sip. 

“Hello, is this Ms. Valeria Neal? The test results from your physical exam last week have come out. You’re in good health. You just need to supplement your diet with some minerals. We recommend calcium and magnesium. How is Margaret Jameson related to you?” 

“She’s my grandmother.” 

“We recommend that you take Mrs. Jameson to a larger hospital for further examination. Her lungs show clear shadows. Our evaluation predicts that it may be stage 2 lung cancer.’ 

The cup slipped from her hand, hitting the floor. 

The plastic cup rolled across the carpet. 

Valeria was stunned. 

Selena heard the sound, ran over, dinner’s ready.” 

and picked up the cup. “Mommy, Great-Grandma says 

“Riri, Lenny, dinner.” At that moment, Margaret called out from the kitchen. 

Valeria gripped her phone tightly, turning toward the kitchen. Margaret stood there, silver- haired, thin, wearing an apron, her back slightly stooped. But her face was rosy, nothing like someone with a terminal illness. 

She repeated it to herself again and again. It must be wrong. It must be a mistake. Maybe the test center had mixed 

up 

the report. 

Valeria took a deep breath. “Grandma, have you felt unwell anywhere lately?” 

“No, I feel fine. I just have a little cough.” 

Selena blinked. “Great-Grandma said her back hurt a few days ago…” 

Margaret served Selena some food. “That’s just an old problem. It comes and goes.” 

Valeria’s eyes brimmed with tears. Looking at Margaret’s kind smile, she forced herself to squeeze out a smile of her own.