Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 294 As soon as Sebastian released his grip, Valeria immediately shut the door. Following that, the final glow from inside her house also disappeared. Standing outside , he turned rigidly . Only the red dot on his doorbell camera reflected his tear-stained eyes and the awkward, slightly curved line of his back. Over the weekend, Valeria took Selena ona trip to Slate City. Lucy's birthday was on Saturday. Last year, Lucy collapsed due to high blood pressure and had to be hospitalized, so she had been cautious with her diet since then.

For lunch, Shane hired a private chef to cook a selection of light dishes for her. Over the past three years, there had been some progress with Shane's research project. Lucy just wasn't happy that he had a girlfriend and later broke up with her. In the afternoon , Valeria left Selena at the Cooper residence and drove to Grace Fellowship Church in Verdanci District. She visited the place once a year, and every visit brought changes. Word on social media praised its spiritual guidance. Some ---- even claimed the priest, Maverick Jacobson, was a mysterious, almost mythical figure.

With the statue restored, the number of visitors had noticeably increased. The church had grown lively, filled with many young acolytes. One of them recognized Valeria. "Father Jacobson is giving a lecture in the chapel today. Please wait if you want to see him. Valeria replied, "I won't disturb him. I'll leave shortly." She felt grateful for Maverick's guidance years ago and contributed a small donation. By the time she left, it was already dusk. The warm evening breeze brushed past her, and her heart felt a brief moment of calm.

Lucy was reluctant to see Selena leave and wished she could stay a little longer. Valeria calculated the time needed for the trip back and decided to head back in the afternoon. She told Lucy that elementary schools were not on their summer break yet. When summer break began in a week, she would let Selena stay a few extra days. It was a Sunday afternoon. With some time to spare, Valeria went to meet a friend at 2:00 pm. 'That friend was Sarah, and over the last three years, they had ---- worked together on two occasions. Sarah was the editor-in-chief of M&E fashion magazine.

When Valeria collaborated with her for the first time at work using her assumed identity, there was no awkwardness between them. They even chatted with ease. They had agreed to meet at a corner bookstore. Sarah messaged her, saying there was traffic and she would be alittle late. Valeria wandered around the bookstore, looking at the latest special issue of M&E magazine. Eventually, she decided to move to a booth by the window to read more comfortably. It was a weekend, and the popular bookstore was packed. Only a few seats were free, so she had to sharea table.

She glanced at the middle-aged man across from her and asked softly, "May I sit here?" The man looked up and nodded with a refined, gentle gaze." Go ahead." Valeria noticed he was holding a copy of the Elarian edition of "The Little Prince". His copy was one of the earliest collectors ' prints. Though it was a collector's edition, the pages showed very little wear. Apparently , very few people ever borrowed this edition. Noticing her gaze on the book he held, the middle-aged man assumed she was interested and told her where to find it.

"It's over there-third row, section B of Foreign Language Classics. ---- "Thank you," Valeria replied. "I rarely see anyone read the Elarian edition." Alexander-that was the man's name-chuckled. "It's just for leisure." Valeria was socially anxious. Outside of work, she rarely chatted with strangers , so she only exchanged a few words with Alexander about the book. He had a slender build and looked tall even while seated. He had a dark gray polo shirt, and his face was refined with lines at the corners of his eyes.

It revealed his age and, with his deep features, made him look around 50, Judging by his stylish attire, Valeria figured he must have been very handsome in his youth.