Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 359 "Lenny!" At the doorway, Valeria stood there, waving to Sebastian and Selena. "Hey, Mommy!" Selena responded . She ran over first, with Sebastian following behind, carrying her pink backpack. The weather was pleasant. After days of rain, the sun slipped in and out of the clouds. It wasn't hot, just thick with summer humidity. Valeria wore a sleeveless dress of pale blue and white stripes, her long hair braided loosely over one shoulder. Her bare skin seemed almost to glow in the light. She put ona beautiful smile.

Then she asked Sebastian, "How was the parent-teacher conference?" "She was ranked first in her grade." He carried the backpack in his right hand, and with the other, he caught her fingers and held on. Leaning close, he murmured, "That's your work paying off." "Well, actually, I didn't really teach her much..." Valeria said softly, her voice tinged with guilt. Especially in those first two years , when Etoile was just getting started. "Guess she just got lucky with the gene pool." ---- The three of them walked out of the school. Selena was between them, her hands clasped in theirs.

Suddenly, a boy ran up to her and said, "Selena, when school starts and we take the placement test, I'm going to beat you. He was so serious that it seemed like he was throwing down a challenge. Selena gave a small nod, calm as ever, as she replied, "Best of luck, then." Her composure carried the faint edge of a taunt. The boy clenched his fists , stung by her calm reply. "I will!" Then, Valeria explained, "That's the kid who's ranked second in the grade." Another boy came running over. "Selena, now that it's summer break, do you have time? We're attending a summer camp.

I can get you a discount since my dad is the leader." He then glanced at Sebastian and Valeria as he greeted them. " Hello, sir. Hello, ma'am." Before Selena could answer, Sebastian spoke up. "She's not going." The boy's face fell, and he walked away. The three of them strolled slowly down the road outside the ---- school gates. Then, Sebastian muttered, "Half-off discount... That kid is up to something." Valeria couldn't help laughing.

"He's offering a deal and you're still suspicious." Sebastian turned to look at Selena as he asked, "Lenny, do you want to join the summer camp?" She shook her head as she said, ''No. I'd rather go back to see Great-Grandma." Valeria tightened her grip on Selena's hand and turned to Sebastian. "I want to go back, too. Don't you have to head back to Slate City for Gabriella's engagement party?" After all, they already got their marriage registered. "There's still time. I can head back to Slate City on the day of the party itself," he said.

He never felt close to Gabriella, and her marriage was something for the elders to handle. What he cared about more was earning Margaret's approval. At his instruction, the driver took the car back first. By 5:30 pm, dusk had settled. The sky was streaked with clouds, glowing faintly in the last of the sunset. He walked closest to the curb, tall and lean, with a pink backpack over one shoulder and his other hand holding Selena. ---- He looked at Valeria, and she met his gaze. Patches of sunlight filtered through the trees. This was what he had always wished for-the life he had dreamed of.

He gripped Selena's hand tighter and looked at Valeria, whom he loved. In that moment, time seemed to slow, and everything felt right. 1