Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 265 Shane had just met one of the industry's biggest names. When Jonathan finally nodded, Shane followed Sebastian out of the stables, still ina daze. He barely managed a "thank you Sebastian replied evenly, "All I did was put you in the room. 'The rest was up to you." The night air was thick and stifling. Shane fixed his gaze on the proud and aloof Sebastian.

Just before getting into the car, Sebastian said, "Thank you- for everything you and your mom have done for Valeria and Lenny over the years." Shane never imagined that the same man who had once tried to drive him out of Slate City would ever thank him. Moments later, the Maybach disappeared into the night. By the next morning, Jonathan's assistant had already reached out to him. Even now, Shane was still riding the wave of that night's excitement. Meanwhile, Valeria stood in the kitchen, quietly slicing fruit. The watermelon was sweet.

She cut it into neat little cubes, ---- but her mind was elsewhere, lost in thoughts she couldn't quite put into words. She didn't find out where Sebastian had gone to Monto until four months later, on Selena's birthday. He had signed on to be with Doctors Without Borders and been sent to a war-torn country. Sebastian called and asked her to tell Selena happy seventh birthday. The signal kept cutting out. Beneath the static, she could just make out the sound of gunfire. Valeria frowned as she asked, "Are you safe?" "I'm fine. The insurgents pushed closer , but I'm still in the safe zone.

It's just loud here." He seemed to move to a quieter spot before adding, "Did I scare you?" "Lenny got your gift. She just opened it," Valeria answered after a beat. Then, she paused before saying, "I should go. I've got things to do." "Okay." He wanted to tell her how badly he missed her, how much it was driving him insane. However, all that came out was a quiet "Okay". Before she could hang up, a blast ripped through the connection, making her hand shake. Then came a sharp, panicked shout on the other end. "Dr. Grant!" The call was cut off.

Valeria stared at her screen, frozen, ---- before frantically dialing his number again. Sebastian didn't answer. She quickly opened a browser and typed in Shagos. Video after video filled the feed-burning streets, wounded civilians, walls peppered with bullet holes. She frowned. No matter how many times she tried, Sebastian's phone wouldn't go through. Ten long minutes dragged by before her phone finally buzzed again. Sebastian's voice came low and rough on the other end. " There was an explosion about a mile from the hospital. The power's still out, and a few casualties just came in.

I've got to check on them." The call cut off again. Valeria stared at her screen before she opened WhatsApp to type, "Stay safe." However , she hesitated before hitting the send button. She stared at the screen for a long time before finally deleting the message. Almost as if he had read her mind, a message from Sebastian appeared on her screen. "I will stay safe," he wrote.