Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 361 The word "husband" felt strange on Valeria's tongue. She had never called Sebastian that before. "You're married? When did that happen? How come Kayla never mentioned it?" Natalie's voice rose as she immediately called out for Kayla's dad. Sebastian got out of the car as well. He was dressed more casually than usual, standing next to Valeria. For once, that distant chill around him was gone. Instead , he smiled as he joined her in greeting Kayla's parents. When they left, Kayla's parents packed two portions of pasta for them.

Kayla's parents had been so warm and welcoming that, once they were back in the car, Valeria caught Sebastian wiping sweat from his temple out of the corner of her eye. She thought of the way he had smiled just moments earlier. It was so out of his character. Valeria couldn't help but smile as she said, "You should smile more." He started the car and pulled back onto the road. He lifted his gaze, glancing at the backseat where Selena had fallen asleep. His voice dropped low, his gaze intense. "And what dol get in ---- return?" "What? You expect a reward just for smiling?

Then don't bother smiling at all," Valeria replied. She pulled two bills from her bag and slid them under the cat ornament on the dashboard, motioning at him. Sebastian raised an eyebrow as he said, "At a club, two hundred bucks will buy you a smile from a college kid. You've actually hired one before?" Valeria could hear the edge in his voice, tight and clipped, like he was grinding the words out. She hesitated . If she were honest, she kind of had. Once, at a company party, Kayla got drunk and ended up grabbing a dancer's abs before Valeria quickly pulled her back.

This time, Sebastian actually laughed. His laugh sent a chill down Valeria's spine. "So you really did?" She decided that was a topic best avoided. But his intense gaze stayed fixed on her. She unlocked her phone, pulling up reels to distract herself. Coincidentally , the very first clip that popped up was a guy showing off his abs. She froze for a second, then instinctively turned the volume down. Out of the corner of her eye, she stole a glance at him. She thought he hadn't noticed. ---- But then he asked, "You like that?" Valeria cleared her throat and said, "Who wouldn't?

In the same way you guys like women with curves ... It's normal." Sebastian gave a short, dismissive laugh and said nothing. After all, he really didn't have abs now. A month in the ICU, followed by two more months stuck in bed, meant no workouts, no heavy training. His physique just wasn't what it used to be. They'd left at 10:00 am, and by the time they pulled in, it was close to noon. They arrived at the neighborhood where Margaret lived. Sebastian lifted Selena out of the car. She had just woken up. She slid out of his arms and trailed behind Valeria , ready to knock on Margaret's door.

Valeria had rented Margaret a ground-floor unit with a small yard. There was alittle garden out front, enclosed by a black iron gate. From the street, you could see straight into the courtyard. Sebastian frowned as his gaze landed on a white Porsche. He checked the license plate, and his expression darkened.