Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 347 "Nemo's snacks and some of his daily pet supplies are over there. Let's take them along this time too," Valeria suggested. "There's some in my study." Valeria walked into Sebastian's study. Pushing open the door, she realized this was the first time she had stepped in. After finishing packing his suitcase, Sebastian came into the living room but didn't see Valeria. He headed to the study and found her standing with her back to him in front of the bookshelf. This apartment of his had a 540-square-foot open-plan living and dining area.

The master suite alone was another 540-square-foot, with no additional bedrooms. There were two studies-one located inside the master suite, where he usually worked , and another , larger one, outside. The larger study served both as an office and for storage , so the floor-to-ceiling cabinets there held everyday items, including Nemo's snacks and dog food. Sebastian walked over. When he slipped his arms around Valeria from behind, he naturally saw what she was holding. Inher hand was a bunny plush, around palm-sized, with a little keychain attached.

---- The furry rabbit had two bee wings on its back. It was a strange but somehow harmonious combination. Tt was a bit worn now. Valeria tightened her grip on the little plush, dazed. Feeling the man's warm chest press against her from behind, she asked softly, "Didn't you say this was trash? Why did you still keep it?" Back then, Sebastian had even called the bunny ugly. But it wasn't trash. It was his treasure. Sebastian's Adam's apple shifted. For the hundredth time, he regretted the things he had once said. He pressed a kiss to Valeria's cheek.

He held her close, pinning her against the bookshelf. He buried his face in the fragrant curve of her shoulder and neck. "Forgive me for those rude things that I've said before..." After a pause, he added, "Everything you sent me by mail is here." Sebastian opened the cabinet, bent down, and pulled out a cardboard box that was full to the brim. He placed it in front of Valeria. Valeria sat on the couch, looking at the contents inside. One by one, she took the items out, her fingers trembling lightly. Memories flooded back like a rising tide. ---- "Why...

Why didn't you throw these away?" Her voice quivered faintly. His throat felt tight as he drew her into his arms, half- embracing her. "Sebastian, when I sent these to you, were you angry?" "Honestly , I knew that even then, I didn't want to break up with you." However, his pride had prevented him from admitting it. He was raised as the Grant family's fourth son, spoiled by everyone. Yet, he had been dumped by a woman who not only broke up with him but mailed back everything he had given her, refusing to keep a single cent. "That day, my face burned like fire.

All this stuff felt like it was mocking me. I called you three times before I realized you had blocked me." "T didn't block you. I just threw away that SIM card." "What's the difference?" Sebastian looked at her, then at the things on the table. His gaze fell on a purse. Now outdated, it had been trendy back when he had bought it ona trip to Inkko. He even ordered it two weeks in advance. Yet, Jane had never used it once. The only gift of his she had worn a few times was the wristwatch, which was now also lying in the box. Sebastian fished it out. Every item here was familiar to him.

---- On countless sleepless nights, he had opened this box and gone through them again and again. It was a woman's watch with a blue-diamond starry sky dial. From its design to its craftsmanship, it hadn't aged a bit. Even today, it remained a classic, timeless in any boutique. 'Ten years had passed, though. The hands of the watch no longer moved. He clasped Valeria's wrist and slid it on. Back then, he had custom -ordered the strap to be longer. Now, it hung loose on her slender wrist. Valeria stared at it too. She took off the watch and rubbed the cool platinum strap with her fingertips.

After all the years and turns, the watch had found its way back onto her wrist once more. Sebastian suddenly pinched her chin, tilting her face up to his. His eyes were stormy and had a dark gaze. "Do you know... this woman's watch matches mine? They're a couple's set." Valeria's lashes trembled.