Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 270 Sebastian hadn't even made it to Selena's tenth birthday. His lips moved, mouthing the words "happy birthday ", but no sound came out. The world around him started to fade. His sight, sound, breath, thought-everything was slipping away. And in the end, one last thought cut through the darkness. He might never get the chance to wish Valeria a happy New Year again. Kayla finally pulled up at the office, but Zion had already left. At that hour, she picked up Valeria so they could head over to the school and get Selena.

While waiting at a red light, Kayla noticed Valeria pressing a hand against her chest, her breathing uneven, and her face a little pale. "What's wrong?" she asked. "I don't know. I felt off suddenly ... but I'm fine now," came Valeria's reply. "Are you sure you don't want to stop by the hospital ?" Kayla pressed, worry in her voice. "No need," Valeria replied, though she found it strange that she was now fine. ---- Later that night, after dinner, they got home. Selena spotted a package by the door. She asked, "Is this from Mr. Grant?" "Yeah," Valeria answered.

Then, Selena said, "I want to thank Mr. Grant. He called me this afternoon, but Iwas in class. Now his phone won't go through." "There's a gift in your room. It's a gift from Ms. Mendes," Valeria replied. That year, for the first time, Valeria didn't get a New Year wish from Sebastian. She opened his contact info, and in the tangle of emotions stirring inside her, she found a faint sense of relief. For the past three years, they hadn't really spoken-just exchanged the occasional holiday greeting. She had come across his Instagram posts, and she figured he must have seen hers, too.

Her feed was all about work, while his felt like there was more activity. On his feed, there was a girl named Tracy. Her parents had died in the war, and she had been born in the hospital. Her skin was slightly tanned, and she spoke fluent Velrian. She had basically grown up there and never left. There was also a dog, some strange mix Sebastian had named Titan. He had written about it with pride-the way it had charged through a hail of gunfire and come out without a ---- scratch.

There was a young surgeon with the same name as Leo Gale- blond hair, blue eyes, a walking encyclopedia with a flawless memory, though clumsy and timid once he held a scalpel. There was Amanda Lindell, the hospital dean's wife. She was loud, meddlesome, and charitable. Then, there was Susan, a nurse from Velria. She had been in Shagos for eight years now, still fiercely devoted to the profession she loved. From New Year's through the holidays, Valeria scrolled through Sebastian's posts calmly. By then, she understood .

Whatever they once had was truly over by the third year of their separation. When spring came in March, work consumed her again. Their brand had secured a spot in Exice International Mall. This was their sixth retail store in three years, and it was already under renovation. Kayla said, ''Three years and only six stores... We have such a slow place." She laughed, adding, "Three years ago, I stood right here bragging that I'd buy the entire 33rd floor for our office." Valeria replied, "Well, we did buy nearly half a floor, didn't we?

Slow and steady-with each passing year." ---- Three years ago, it had just been the two of them. Now, their brand had over 300 people across design, procurement, marketing, logistics, and the livestreaming team. Valeria had also bought a downtown ocean-view condo in Broburgh City for herself and her daughter. By May, she received an invitation from the Broburgh City Museum Exhibition Hall, while Kayla pushed hard for new collaborations. "Azure Island is finally being developed. The city's first ultra~ luxury hotel, Yoda Hotel, is completely surrounded by water.

Things are really starting to pick up here in Broburgh City. I heard Grant Group poured 300 billion into the project." Kayla adjusted her glasses. "The city's Tourism Bureau is working with Broburgh City Museum to create 30 fashion pieces inspired by the exhibits. They'll stage a full runway show as part of Grant Group's grand opening. "A lot of competitors are after this deal, so the pressure's high. It doesn't matter if we don't win the bid. I mean, it's Grant Group anyway.

We have already tried our best." On Friday, Valeria arrived at the Architecture Expo Hall with her assistant, Willow Smith. ---- The hall was closed to the public that day. A major figure was expected, and only those with invitations were allowed inside. However, the hall was crowded with industry peers, brand representatives, influencers, and reporters. As she moved through the exhibition, Valeria snapped photos and jotted down notes. Beside her, Willow gasped. ""That porcelain is gorgeous-I can't even imagine how stunning it would look as fashion. "Ms. Neal, stand right there.

I'll take a picture-you look amazing." Valeria humored her and posed for the camera. However, in the next breath, something shifted. The air around her seemed to fall silent, every second stretching out painfully slow. In those few heartbeats, it felt as though whole minutes had passed. Her smile faded, and she stopped posing. She could hear the crowd shifting behind her, footsteps moving in. The curator, Timothy Byron, hurried forward, his voice full of warmth. "Mr. Grant, here you are!"" All eyes seemed to follow the man in the tailored suit.

Tall, sharp, and commanding, he carried himself with the kind of presence that drew attention without effort. Surrounded by an entourage, he headed upstairs. ---- Out of the corner of her eye, Valeria caught a glimpse of that familiar silhouette. Willow pressed a hand to her chest, wide-eyed. "Ms. Neal, did you see him? That's the new CEO of Grant Group. I heard he's just over 30. When he took over, the finance media even called him the guy with the perfect face." Valeria cut off Willow's fangirling with a cool voice. "Come on.

You know, as a designer, that those so-called 'perfect faces ' are just bizarre." Willow grinned. "It just means he's ridiculously good- looking. And honestly, after seeing his profile up close, I don't think they were exaggerating at all." Valeria's gaze shifted to the bronze artifacts displayed in the glass case ahead. Her voice was calm, almost detached as she said, "Go upstairs and get some shots. I'll stay down here." "Alright," Willow replied. On the second floor, Timothy noticed where Sebastian's gaze had drifted and followed his gaze toward the first floor. "Mr.

Grant, what has your attention? The pieces downstairs are mostly part of the public collection. The rarer artifacts are all displayed up here." Sebastian's gaze lingered for a moment longer on the pale- blue figure below before he finally looked away.