Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 218 Valeria looked at Sebastian. The man was wearing a mask that covered half his face. In truth, he looked nothing like Shane. Only, Margaret hadn't seen Shane more than a handful of times, so she couldn't tell. Margaret said, "Shane, sorry to bother you so late. Staying with Ja-" "Granny," Valeria quickly grabbed Margaret's hand, cutting her off. Margaret quickly remembered that Valeria didn't like to be reminded of her chubby days. "You and Val should rest. Don't stay up just because of me." She was suffering enough.

There was no need to drag the two young people along with her. Sebastian lifted the blanket and glanced at Margaret's injured leg. The ER staff had temporarily stabilized it with a splint. Winter made bones brittle in the elderly, and falls were common. With age, thigh muscles atrophied. Without the protection of muscle, Margaret's swelling was worse than he expected. For now, all they could do was wait for the surgery in the morning. He adjusted the head of the bed and asked Valeria to tuck an extra pillow behind Margaret's back so that she could rest ---- more comfortably.

Seeing the faint crease between his brows, Valeria felt her heart tighten with unease. That night, she didn't dare to fall asleep. Yet, the exhaustion and strain eventually led her to doze off by the bedside. When she opened her eyes, it was already past four in the morning. Something weighed lightly on her shoulder, carrying a faint warmth, as well as a familiar scent. She realized instantly that it was Sebastian's coat. Clutching the coat, she sat up, but Sebastian was nowhere to be seen.

Holding the coat close, she stepped into the corridor to see Sebastian leaning against the wall, smoking. His fingers pinched the cigarette as he spoke into his phone. The hallway was silent. Valeria didn't want to disturb him, so she quietly stepped back. Sebastian said, "Mr. Sutton, sorry to trouble you so late. I have a relative, 79, in Verdanci District Hospital, with a fractured femur. She's too old to endure the bumps of a trip. Would you be available tomorrow? I'll have a driver pick you up, Leaning against the wall, Valeria lowered her head and hugged the coat tightly to her chest.

She didn't know how much time had passed before Sebastian was done speaking . Valeria first heard the scrape of a lighter's flint, then she ---- heard footsteps. Inher peripheral vision, she saw a pair of men's leather shoes. Valeria said softly, "Thank you." Then, she held out his coat. "It's cold. You should wear it." Sebastian reached a hand out to her. She looked at the veins on the back of his hand, and for a moment, she didn't understand what was going on. She looked up at him. He had a cigarette between his lips as he looked at her.

"Aren't you going to put it on for me?" Valeria shook out the coat and stepped behind him. She felt like a maid from ancient times helping the king into his robes. She even smoothed the crease at his collar. Sebastian looked at her. It was the first time she had ever dressed him. The scene looked very much like a wife helping her husband get ready, adjusting his tie before he went out. Sebastian thought to himself that he wanted Valeria to tie his tie for him. Underneath , he wore a fitted charcoal sweater that clung to his waist and abdomen, clearly outlining his muscles.

Valeria couldn't help but wonder why he wasn't cold. So when his hand slid through the coat sleeve, she instinctively brushed her knuckles lightly against his fingers. It was just a fleeting touch that lasted less than a second. ---- But Sebastian's fingers were cold. The next moment, Sebastian caught her hand, and Valeria didn't pull away. Sebastian said in a low voice, "Warm them for me." Then, he enclosed both of her hands in his. He held them as though they were a heater, pressing them between his palms.