Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 348 Sebastian could still vaguely remember that day, ten years ago, on the streets of Inkko, when he and Simon had stepped into a vintage watch shop. He had always liked collecting these niche brands, crafted with an old school artisanship. He spotted a men's watch he liked. When he bought it, his eyes drifted to a women's watch displayed beside it. The shop only had one master craftsman there , who spoke with a classic Inkko accent, smiling as he told Sebastian that the two watches were a pair.

He asked whether Sebastian had a girlfriend, and if so, whether Sebastian wanted to buy them asa set. Sebastian stared at that women's watch for a long time, then nodded and paid for it. On the way back, he wondered whether he should give that watch to Jane. When he returned to Stredview University, he saw her working part-time ina cafe. He ordered three cups of coffee and watched as she bustled around nervously, stealing little glances at him, only to jerk her gaze away like a startled rabbit the moment their eyes met. That night, when the cafe closed, he gave her the watch.

However, she only wore it a few times. ---- He thought she didn't like it. And if she didn't, he would never force her to wear it. If she didn't like it, she might as well throw it in the trash. Valeria looked at the women's watch in her palm, its blue- diamond dial shimmering like a starry sky beneath the sea. Sebastian didn't hear her answer. He cupped her face, pressing his brows to hers. Their tall noses shifted just enough for their breaths to mingle. Valeria lifted her arms, wrapping them around his back. "I know now," she whispered.

The truth was, she had always known, but she had never thought of it that way. She had only ever felt happy that the two watches were the same style and series , never once thinking that they were a couple's set. Valeria never thought that even ten years ago, they already had matching items. She pressed her lips together and closed her eyes. Her fingers clutched the watch tightly in her palm. She turned her face slightly, her petal-soft lips brushing Sebastian's cheek. "Don't tease me. I can't hold myself back." Sebastian's breath grew heavier.

When Valeria tried to slip from his arms, she found his embrace solid, caging her in. ---- As her body sank onto the couch, Sebastian caught her long hair and brushed it gently to one side. One hand braced beside her, the other reached to the table and picked up a box of condoms. He glanced at it. "These are from ten years ago. There are still two left." "They're long expired." Valeria thought he meant to use them now and quickly protested. "The night we broke up, this box had six. I used four. The last one broke and slipped inside.

I even had to help you take it out He leaned down, watching the pink bloom on her cheeks closely. She couldn't handle his teasing. He hadn't even said much, yet her face was already flushed. "Riri, how can you still be so pure? Do you know how red your face is?" Sebastian's arms braced above her, his gaze locking with hers. It was just like ten years ago. He brushed against her waist, and she trembled. Nothing had changed. Now, with age, Valeria's face carried a softer allure. Her skin was fair, and her cheeks were faintly pink. Sebastian could have said more, but Valeria couldn't take it.

She reached up, pressing her hands over his mouth. "Don't say it." ---- Her face grew even redder. She turned her head aside, unable to meet his eyes. Those dark, deep eyes of his reminded her of that year. She was reminded of how panicked she had been. She hadn't known what to do, never having gone through something like that before. She had even cried, softly sobbing , wondering whether she needed to go to a hospital to have it taken out. His long, jointed fingers had been like hooks. And for once, in his hoarse voice, he had murmured words of comfort.

Valeria wanted to tell Sebastian to be more careful the next time. It would have been humiliating if she needed to go to the hospital for that. But then, she remembered that he was going abroad. There would be no "next time" for them. It was that night when the condom had torn that Valeria became pregnant. Now, she pressed both hands over his lips. Sebastian leaned back slightly, but his voice was still low and rough as he asked, "Do you remember what you told me back then?" Valeria kept her eyes shut, her lashes trembling.