Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 157 Shawn had a serious look. However, when he spoke, his tone was warm. His professionalism had put many of Valeria's worries to rest. As they were about to leave, he couldn't help asking her a question. "So, how did you know Sebas?" Jamie, who stood behind Shawn, gave Valeria a curious look, too. Caught off guard, she finally answered, "We were classmates in high school." "'Sebas might seem like someone who's hard to get along with, but he's a good person," Shawn commented.

To Valeria, he suddenly sounded less like a world-class surgeon and more like a friendly neighbor trying to set her up with someone. Sebastian didn't just look hard to get along with. In fact, he really was. Beneath that aloof exterior was someone who would give others a hard time. The next morning , when it was time for the surgery , Selena grew nervous and clung to Valeria's hand, refusing to let go. Valeria was scared, too. She had researched the surgery, spoken with Shawn in detail just the day before, and had been ---- desperate to get an appointment with a specialist.

But at that moment, her heart was in her throat. Sebastian bent down, hugging Selena as he wrapped an arm around Valeria's shoulders . "Don't be scared , Lenny. I'll be with you in there," he whispered gently, coaxing Selena with awarm tone. He held Valeria firmly, and his warmth slowly reached her. She looked at Sebastian with his mask on. He had a prominent brow, and his gaze was gentle -unlike what she saw before. She bit her lip, not being quite able to tell what she was feeling. In Selena's most frightening moment, the father she most looked forward to seeing was there with her.

At that moment, Valeria felt there was no regret . Sebastian didn't know Selena was his daughter, but there was undeniable tenderness in the way he looked at her. Valeria gently touched Selena's cheek, and she caught sight of Sebastian from the corner of her eye. Over the years, on restless nights, she had sometimes wondered whether she was wrong and had once thought about being part of his life. Lost in thought, Valeria suddenly felt someone hold her hand and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Valeria looked down and saw Sebastian's large hand wrapped around her fingers.

His long, defined knuckles stood out, the veins on the back ---- visible beneath the skin. "Don't be scared," Sebastian said to her. She nodded in response. Then, he added, "This surgery is common these days. With Dr. Gordon in charge, there's nothing to worry about." Valeria nodded again. Sebastian held her cold hands in his, then gave her hand a tight squeeze. The hallway was empty as all the medical staff had gone into the operating room. The only other person seated on the waiting area bench was Lucy, but she couldn't see. Sebastian quickly lowered his head and nipped at Valeria's lip.

Her whole body tensed, and her lips felt warm. His warm breath brushed over her, lingering for just a moment before he let go of her. After giving her a kiss, he turned and walked into the operating room. Valeria glanced around. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief. She walked over to Lucy. Lucy's vision hadn't fully recovered yet, but she could still make out light and the silhouettes of people. That morning, Lucy had insisted on coming, and Valeria couldn't stop her, originally wanting her to stay home and rest instead.

---- Lucy said bluntly, "Do you think I'm useless just because I can't see? Lenny has been calling me "Granny Lucy" for three years. She's like a family to me, so how could I just stay at home knowing she's having surgery ? If you wouldn't bring me here, I'd just come on my own!" She was just as nervous as Valeria. After all, this was a major surgery for such a young child. "| heard Dr. Grant saying everything will be fine. The procedure is well planned, and Dr. Gordon, the most renowned surgeon, is conducting it. Lenny will definitely be fine," Lucy added, holding Valeria's hand.

She said that to reassure Valeria and herself. Valeria kept her eyes on the lit sign above the operating room door. At some point, Sebastian's presence and his words started to give her a sense of reassurance. It made her feel like she could rely on him, but she also knew that was a bad sign.