Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 355 Valeria instantly lost any desire to use the restroom. Seeing her daughter return, she turned back and sat down across from Sebastian, giving him a sharp kick under the table. It was a silent threat not to say things like that in front of Selena. When they finished eating and stepped outside, rain had begun to fall, slowly growing heavier. Valeria had lived in Broburgh City for three years. This was the typical weather here, especially during summer nights. The forecast was useless. The rain came whenever it pleased, cutting off visibility in an instant.

A server handed over an umbrella, and Valeria opened it. The restaurant only had ground-level parking and served just ahandful of tables each day, so spaces at the front were limited. But the lot sat slightly lower than the street, causing water to pool as it flowed downhill. Sebastian bent to pick Selena up, and as he walked, his left leg stiffened, each step bringing a sharp sting. Ever since his injury six months ago, he had hated rainy days. His expression betrayed nothing. He steadied the hem of his daughter's skirt with one arm and glanced sideways at Valeria's high heels.

"Can you walk?" ---- "Yeah, I can." It was only a few steps. Her shoes would certainly get wet in the rain. But Valeria noticed something. She smiled at her daughter while lowering her eyes, catching sight of Sebastian's left leg, clad in black trousers , limping almost imperceptibly despite his effort to hide it. Of course, she had heard the rumors about the Grant Group's young heir lying in the ICU. She had seen the scar on his chest from surgery, but she didn't know about his legs. Perhaps in sunny Slate City, with its pleasant temperatures , she hadn't noticed anything unusual inhis gait.

Just now, through the veil of rain, she noticed it clearly. This man, tall and upright, with his black suit dampened to a dark sheen, staggered just slightly with his left leg. Once they reached the car, Valeria slid into the driver's seat first. "I'll drive." "Alright." Sebastian nodded, settling Selena into the back. As he climbed in, Valeria caught, from the corner of her eye, the way he sat down first and then reached to press his hand lightly against his left knee. She tightened her grip on the steering wheel and looked away. The wipers beat against the windshield.

Even in the rain, the streets of Broburgh City bustled near the commercial district. ---- It was full of young men and women. A massive LED screen lit the square, playing an ad campaign with Gabriella and Sabrina together. It was a promotion for a coffee brand. Over the past few years, the two had built their image by marketing themselves as sisters -in-arms, heiresses with an inseparable bond. With the push of online platforms, the public fascination with the wealthy only grew.

Sabrina's team had carefully shaped her as a star designer , now selling an approachable persona , designing clothes for ordinary people. She was selecting a lucky fan in the comments section of her videos. 'The campaign was everywhere, trending hot. Soon, the rain poured in sheets. Water streaked across the windshield. Even the massive LED screen on the square went dark. Valeria started the car. The cabin was quiet. The drive home in such weather would take at least half an hour. Midway, Sebastian's phone rang.

Perhaps because the car was so silent, perhaps because he was sitting right beside her, Valeria could clearly hear the voice on the other end. It was Martha. She was asking Sebastian about Gabriella's engagement on the 17th, and when he would come. "Tl come back the day before. I'm in the car now. Valeria's driving." ---- As he spoke , Sebastian held the phone to Valeria's ear. "It's Mom."