Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 343 It was 1:00 pm when Valeria was about to leave. Martha, leaning on her cane, called out to her. Valeria quickly walked over to support the older woman's arm. She was still not quite accustomed to addressing someone as " Mom". Calling another person that term was something that Valeria had never said before. On top of that, her so-called biological mother was... upstairs. Valeria had overheard a servant casually say that Wendy and Gabriella were resting ina room upstairs . Of course, Valeria knew this was Sebastian's arrangement. "Mom, how's your foot?" "It's fine.

It's just a sprain. The doctor said it'll heal after a month's rest." Martha held Valeria's hand and sat down on the sofa. Beside them, Avery came down the stairs carrying a sapphire blue velvet jewelry box. She handed it to Valeria. "This is for Selena." "'Next time, bring Selena over. Let her spend the summer holidays here at her grandparents' house," Martha said, glancing at the tall figure leaning lazily against the window not far away. Sebastian's posture was relaxed , but his gaze was deep and ---- dark.

Nicholas sat in a single armchair by the window, the two of them speaking in low tones. Her son truly had outstanding looks. Martha held Valeria's hand tighter. She wasn't exactly trying to rush them, but since they were already married, wasn't this the natural next step? "When do you and Sebastian plan to have a second child?" she asked ina low voice. She would, of course, love Selena as if she were her own granddaughter, but in the end, there had to bea bloodline of the Grant family. Martha's voice was hushed. Valeria looked at the old woman's weathered features .

Her dyed hair made her look younger, but with age, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and the spots on her cheeks stood out. Yet those eyes, full of warmth and kindness, stirred something in Valeria's heart. "Mom, Selena is actually-" Before she could finish, a sharp crash of porcelain breaking rang out from upstairs. Ahousekeeper came down from upstairs. "Madam Huxley knocked over a soup bowl and threw a fit in the room. Mr. Grant is upstairs with her." Martha frowned, waved her hand, and patted the back of Valeria's hand in reassurance. "Your sister-in-law isn't feeling well.

Don't worry." ---- Sebastian walked over, picked up the suit jacket draped across the back of the couch. He tossed it casually over his arm, adjusted his cuff, then extended his hand to Valeria. "Let's go. Avery came forward, carrying a three-tiered wooden lunch box. "Inside are some snacks from the kitchen, for Miss Selena. And Mr. Grant, you hardly ate anything at the table just now. Mrs. Grant Sr. asked the kitchen to prepare something for you to take home." Martha looked at Sebastian. After not seeing him for a while, she noticed he had lost weight. It pained her.

Sebastian stepped forward and bent down to hug her. "I'll come back in a few days." When they left the Grant residence, Valeria opened the car door, ready to get in. She felt an icy stare, so sharp that it seemed to carve right through her. There was hate, loathing, all bundled in it. Without even turning, she knew who it was. Who else could it be but Wendy, standing near the upstairs window? Valeria had never believed she had done anything wrong. All these years, she had never sought her out. When she was. young, she had once harbored fantasies of a mother's gentleness.

---- However, she could never understand why Wendy hated her so much. Wendy even went as far as to slander her at 18 years old. After driving for 30 minutes, Sebastian pulled into the compound. The guard at the gate opened it and registered the license plate. "Mr. Grant, it's been some time since you've been back." "Tcame to see Grandpa today." Through the car window, Valeria saw that the men outside were dressed in green military uniforms, tall and upright, their faces stern and righteous. One of them glanced into the car, spotting Valeria in the passenger seat, and asked Sebastian, "Mr.

Grant, your girlfriend needs to be registered too." "She's my wife, Valeria. She's here today to see Grandpa with me." Sebastian smiled faintly , paused, then wrote Valeria's social security number and name on the registry form. The officer was surprised , his eyes widening. He looked even more curiously at Valeria inside the car. "Mr. Grant, when did you get married? If Mr. Bond hears this, he'll be delighted. He'll probably jump out of bed and do a whole set of military drills." After parking, Sebastian held Valeria's hand. "Let's visit Grandpa.

He's been wanting to meet you." As his fingers interlaced with hers, he suddenly noticed her ---- bare hand. Where was the engagement ring he had given her? Did she not like it? His gaze darkened as it lingered on her finger. Valeria slipped her hand free and, almost without thinking, reached up to smooth the creases at his shirt collar, her slender fingertips brushing lightly over his tie. "The ring you gave me was too flashy.

It's so big that it actually hurts to wear it on my finger." "TI didn't think it through." Sebastian wrapped an arm around her waist as they walked toward the living room. His voice dropped low and hoarse. "Later, let's buy a pair of simple wedding bands for everyday use."