Kneeling for a Second 255

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Oliver left the scene. 

Instead of using the padded kneeler, Sebastian sank to his knees hard on the bare floor. His voice was hoarse, almost broken as he spoke. “Father, please… I need to ask for another sign.” 

Maverick tapped the edge of the lectern. Then, he folded his hands in prayer. Looking at 

Sebastian, he could see his stubbornness. 

However, Sebastian was still touched by grace. 

“There is no message for you today. I think you should let it go–some things cannot be forced,” Maverick answered. 

Meanwhile, Valeria’s life went on as usual. She hadn’t heard anything about Sebastian. 

Two weeks later, she took Margaret for a follow–up appointment with Joseph. She told Margaret to sit in the waiting area while she went to pick up the medications. 

While Valeria was at it, she ran into Ruby. 

Valeria wondered whether people from well–off families were always this condescending. 

“It’s been a week since Sebastian has been to the hospital. What did you do to him?” Ruby demanded. 

A friend had told her that Sebastian had been drunk, mumbling Valeria’s name over and over. 

“If you’re so eager to know, why don’t you ask him yourself?” Valeria responded. She took in how relentless Ruby was being and added, “Dr. Gardner, you’re bothering me.” 

“What exactly are you showing off? Everyone knows you threw yourself at Sebastian. A man like him would never really want someone like you,” Ruby commented harshly. 

Valeria pulled out her phone. 

When Ruby saw her dialling 911, she panicked and reached out to stop Valeria. “What are you doing?” 

“You’re a doctor here in Slate City Medical Center, and you’re harassing a patient. What do you think I’m going to do?” Velria retorted. 

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A small crowd began to gather, watching as a doctor argued with a young woman. 

Ruby suddenly remembered Joseph’s warning. She shot Valeria a glare. Yet, when she noticed the curious eyes around them, she didn’t dare escalate things. As a result, she had no choice but to let Valeria walk away. 

Valeria took Margaret to the rehabilitation center afterward. 

Margaret’s recovery had been going well these past few days. Her complexion looked much better, as if things were finally starting to turn around. 

She stayed with Margaret until night. After dinner, the caretaker came to take over, so Valeria headed back to Lucy’s place, as Selena was still there. 

She went upstairs to tidy up the things they had been using these past few days. 

Selena had just taken a shower, and Valeria had her sit on the couch while she braided Selena’s hair. 

“Mommy, is Great–Grandma feeling better now? Are we going home soon?” Selena asked. 

Valeria responded, “Yeah. We’re going home in a couple more days.” 

“Mommy, do you have time tomorrow?” 

“I do,” Valeria answered, giving Selena a gentle look. 

“Mommy, did you forget something?” Selena asked, looking a little sad. 

That was when Valeria remembered that she had bought a voucher from Bloom Portraits to have portraits taken of Selena. However, with everything going on these past few days, it had completely slipped her mind. 

Valeria gave Selena’s cheek a gentle squeeze and said, “I’m sorry, Lenny. I’m free tomorrow. I’ll take you then, okay?” 

“Okay! Mommy, can we bring Great–Grandma too? I want us to take a family portrait together. 

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Valeria wanted that more than anything. 

Unlike younger people, who bounce back after surgery in just a couple of weeks, it was different for Margaret. She was older and had a weak immune system, so she still needed a wheelchair to get around. 

“We’ll wait until we’re back home. Once we’re settled, we’ll take a family portrait together with Great–Grandma.” 

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The following day, Selena insisted on wearing her favorite pastel–yellow daisy dress, despite the studio offering plenty of other outfits. Valeria had tied Selena’s hair into two cute ponytails. 

When Selena opened the door, she blinked in surprise. “Hello, Mr. Grant.” 

Sebastian was leaning against the wall outside, and when he looked at Selena, a trace of warmth softened his gaze. 

His voice came out rough but gentle. “Hey, Lenny.” 

“Mr. Grant, your voice is so raspy. Did you catch a cold?” She leaned closer and sniffed at him. Then, she quickly covered her nose as she asked, “Mr. Grant, did you drink?” 

“I’m sorry, Lenny.” Sebastian apologized, looking uneasy as he didn’t want to leave a bad impression on Selena. “I had a little bit of a drink.” 

Lifting his head, he caught sight of the woman stepping out behind Selena. The words caught 

in his throat. 

For a moment, Sebastian couldn’t bring himself to meet Valeria’s eyes. 

Valeria didn’t hate him, nor did she blame him. Her eyes were calm, steady, almost unreadable -yet in them lingered the memory of a love that had once been real. And that truth cut deeper than any hatred ever could. 

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Chapter 256