Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 277 Valeria stared at Sebastian's outstretched hand and weighed her choices . She could either walk across the hundred -acre turf club on foot, wait for the staff to pick her up inan electric cart, or... She felt lightheaded when she looked up at him from an angle. Her gaze landed on the horse before her and agreed that it was a horse worthy of a million dollars. Its glossy coat gleamed like a masterpiece. She then said, "Ialready called my friend. She's sending someone to pick me up." From the corner of her eye, she caught the sight of a shadow falling across her.

Along and strong hand wrapped around her waist and lifted her effortlessly. Before Valeria could even react, she found herself already seated on top of the horse with her back pressed against Sebastian's chest. She was essentially being hugged from behind. She shifted around uncomfortably. Valeria did not expect someone so thin that his clothes seemed to hang loosely on him to have such strength. Sebastian held the reins in one hand, and his other remained on her waist. His gaze lingered on her fair nape as he said, "Sit ---- still.

I'll let go of you once you've steadied yourself." He then nudged the horse gently, and it began to walk at a leisurely pace. Once Valeria steadied herself, Sebastian did loosen his hold on her as he promised , but the space between them was still so close that if she leaned back even an inch, her back would touch his chest. And if she shifted her body left or right by an inch, she would bump into his arm. Valeria felt that Sebastian's chest made her feel even more suffocated than walking back on foot under the blazing sun.

Worse of all, the jostling of the horse's movements made it impossible for her to sit perfectly still. Her back would bump into his chest every so often. Valeria felt that Sebastian had something hard, round, and bead-like hanging on his chest pressing through their clothes against her back, making her feel distinctly uncomfortable . The ride back to the stables felt endless. The usually fierce Akhal-Teke horse was now carrying both of them as if it were out for a casual stroll. Valeria slowly let out a breath of relief.

The summer air was slightly suffocating, made worse by Sebastian's embrace, leaving her with no room to breathe. Her cheeks were faintly flushed as she spoke up with ---- annoyance. "Can't we go faster?" Sebastian's deep voice rang out behind her. "Sorry, but no. I'm not feeling well today." His voice sent tremors down her spine with every word. Valeria thought back to how he had just jumped hurdles on horseback earlier. It was clear that he did not look unwell at all. She then recalled what Kayla told her earlier about the rumors of Sebastian being recently discharged from the ICU.

It was a rumor among the elites that could never be found online. Valeria pursed her lips together and remained silent for a while. Some time later, she said, "Something is hanging on your chest, and it's stabbing me." She wondered whether he really never noticed she would be uncomfortable. Sebastian reached out with one hand to unbutton a clasp and pinched his pearl necklace between his fingers. He then turned the necklace around and tucked it behind his neck. When Valeria first arrived, she remembered seeing a few other people riding nearby.

But now, she glanced around to find nothing but an empty field as if they had wandered into private land. The path ahead of her stretched on endlessly , and the horse moved along at a lazy pace. Valeria had no idea just how long it would take for them to ---- return to the stables. Even if Sebastian could not ride faster, she wondered if they really had to crawl along like so. Annoyed , she grabbed onto the horse's mane, but the horse did not respond. She then nudged its belly with her legs, but there was still nothing. It seemed as if the horse only obeyed its owner.

After trying a few more times with no results, Valeria gave up and turned her attention to the endless greenery ahead, dotted with a few resting stops. Behind her was Sebastian's chest moving up and down faintly. His warm voice brushed past her ears as he spoke. "It's been three years, Valeria. How have you been?" Sebastian did not refer to her as Ms. Neal. He did not even put up any pretense of being strangers with her. He called out her name from deep within his heart , a name that he must have repeated a countless number of times in silence.

Valeria's fingers slightly tightened around the horse's mane. She just kept looking ahead, as calm as ever. Her voice rang out across the wind. "It's only been three years. By the time dusk fell, both of them had finally returned to the stables. ---- Valeria dismounted and immediately caught the strange looks of a few people nearby. Kayla hurried over and asked, "Are you alright ? Chalky's already back at the stable. It was Mr. Scott who helped ride it back here." "T'm fine," replied Valeria as she glanced at Calvin in the distance. Calvin immediately looked away and smiled awkwardly .

"I happened to run into it, so 1 brought it back with me. I didn't realize it was Ms. Neal who was separated from this white horse." "What a coincidence ." Valeria then turned her gaze back to Sebastian , who was coming down from the saddle with ease. As he handed the reins to the horse trainer, she forced herself to give an awkward smile. "It really is quite the coincidence , huh? Thanks for the help, Mr. Scott." Calvin rubbed his nose and replied, "It was nothing. Just lending a hand." "Yeah, you're always so helpful, Mr.

Scott." Even though the help he had given had not actually been for her.