Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

Chapter 27

Sebastian let go of Valeria's hand, feeling his wet fingertips. His voice sounded hoarse as he apologized, "I'm sorry." A short moment of silence followed. He remained rooted in place even after Valeria had left the restroom. His emotions were being tugged by something he couldn't quite understand. He wasn't sure if it was the self-deprecating and sorrowful look in Valeria's teary eyes or the trace of familiarity within her, but he felt reminded of someone.

He was curious about the truth behind the sense of familiarity she exuded because she reminded him of Jane. Sebastian knew that Valeria wasn't Jane, but the thought possessed him as he tried to see the resemblance between the two utterly different women. Holding his hand up to massage his temples, he couldn't help but feel like something was wrong with his brain. It seemed the lie Valeria had come up with about being Valeria Wood had worked.

Her relationship with Sebastian had regained its equilibrium. Throughout the month, she had seen him twice. The first time, she had paid the hospital a visit to pick up Lucy's prescription. She had entered Sebastian's office and left within four minutes. Sebastian had treated her no differently than any other patient's family. He had coldly explained the foods Lucy had to look out for and how she would have to return for a checkup after two weeks.

The second time they met was when Valeria and her colleagues went to a barbecue restaurant for a meal. Sabrina and Sebastian happened to be dining there too. Hence, both groups had decided to dine together. Valeria's colleagues had teased Sabrina for having a boyfriend and jokingly insisted that Sabrina pick up the tab. Sabrina's cheeks reddened as she exclaimed, "Sure. It's my treat today." Then, she reached for Sebastian's arm to sit, but he pulled his hand away.

She glanced at him, aware that Sebastian was known within their circle for keeping a distance from women. Since they were both at the appropriate age for marriage, their parents had been subtly pushing them to be together. With Nicholas and Martha pressuring him, Sebastian would agree to hang out with Sabrina from time to time to either watch a movie or attend a play. Sabrina had racked her brain to think of ways for them to get along, but Sebastian remained cold and aloof.

"Seb, I'd like some shrimp. Could you peel them for me? I just had my nails done, so it's a bit inconvenient for me." When Valeria heard Sabrina's sweet voice ring out, she tightened her grip around her fork as she continued eating. Through the corner of her eyes, Valeria watched as Sebastian gently helped Sabrina peel her shrimps before wiping his fingers with a towel. Sabrina smiled sweetly in response. Sebastian didn't like seafood, nor did he like shrimp.

He had claimed to dislike the fishy smell in them. When they had ravioli together, he also refused to have any shrimp ravioli. Valeria suddenly recalled that Sebastian had never peeled any shrimp for her throughout the three years of their relationship. She knew he didn't like seafood, so she had never asked him to do such a thing. In fact, she had even stopped eating seafood after finding out he didn't enjoy them.

Back when they were together, she would be overjoyed if she could go so far as to hold his arm or tug at his sleeves without being rejected. She had loved him too much and never thought about asking him to do anything. However, it turned out that a person could do things they disliked for the sake of someone they liked or even for their partners. Valeria felt slightly breathless as she got up to head to the restroom.

Although one person was missing from their six-person meal, the atmosphere around the table was still as lively as before. Not long after Valeria had left, Sebastian stood up and said flatly, "I'm going out for a smoke."