Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 372 Valeria felt uneasy. She had never liked Lucas, not since high school. And now, the two people she disliked most were engaged. While she, somehow, had become an elder to them both. Gabriella clutched Lucas' arm. "Luke, this is the first time you've met my aunt-in-law, isn't it? I heard she went to Nueve High School as well." "Really? What a coincidence," Lucas replied. 'There was nothing in his expression to suggest he recognized her, Clearly, Lucas had no idea that Valeria was actually Jane. Who would have imagined?

That overweight teenage girl from back then really ended up with Sebastian. Moreover, she had slimmed down now, looking like a completely different person. If she hadn't overheard her parents talking, Gabriella wouldn't have guessed it either. Valeria only gave a faint nod, not bothering to respond further. With Sebastian holding her hand, the two of them stepped into the lounge on the left. Behind her, their stares clung to her, heavy and unrelenting . ---- "Luke, doesn't Aunt Valeria look a little familiar ?

I wonder if we ever crossed paths at school," Gabriella asked deliberately, glancing at Lucas to catch even the slightest reaction. Lucas seemed lost in thought. Pulling his hand free, he muttered, "I'm going out for a smoke." There was still time before dinner. It was set for 6:00 pm sharp, and they weren't about to start early just because everyone had arrived. Sebastian took a call, and Valeria caught part of it. He was asking about Lewis. As he stood, he told her, "I'm going to check on my grandfather.

I'll be back soon." Lewis' place was only about ten minutes away from the Grant residence. Valeria rose quickly and caught his arm. "How is he?" "He's having some trouble breathing. Felix called and said not to worry, he's on oxygen and doing better. Even so, I want to go check on him. I'll be back before the dinner starts," Sebastian explained. He pinched her cheeks lightly and said, "Go upstairs to my room. No one will bother you there." "Okay." ---- After Sebastian left, Valeria sat alone in the lounge. She didn't see herself as fragile.

She knew Sebastian was just worried she might be treated poorly, but this was his house. She couldn't keep slipping away whenever there were too many people. So she just settled into one of the chairs by the coffee table and pulled out her phone to play games. She got so absorbed that she didn't notice right away when someone was standing in front of her. By the time she realized, he had already been there for a while. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the shine of polished black leather shoes.

Her professional instincts kicked in, and she couldn't help analyzing the brand, the craftsmanship, the leather, even whether the stitching was hand -done, and it looked like the work of a craftsman with over 20 years of experience. Slowly, Valeria looked up. It was Lucas. She remained seated in the chair as he stood tall over her, hands shoved in his pockets, cigarette smoke still clinging to him. He looked down without flinching, his eyes appraising." Aunt Valeria, are you here all by yourself?" Valeria never had a good impression of him.

Back in high school, he was the campus golden boy for all the wrong reasons. He was always fighting and nearly ended up in ---- the news for breaking the law, but the Young family paid to smooth things over. His father , Joseph , was a hospital director , and his mother, Dahlia , was a VP at Northwell Pharma. Back in Nueve High School , Lucas was the kid everyone's parents warned them about. Valeria still couldn't understand how she had ever gotten tangled up with Lucas back then. Now, she only arched an eyebrow and didn't say a thing. Did he not see she was alone?

"Aunt Valeria, you look like you've got a problem with me." Lucas leaned over and dropped onto the seat across from her, propping his chin in one hand while his long fingers tapped idly against the table. "Mr. Young, you must be joking," Valeria said with a faint smile, "No need to be so formal. Everyone at home calls me Luke. I heard you went to Nueve High School. What are the odds? Which class were you in? Who would've thought we'd turn out to be alumni?" Valeria rose to her feet. She had no interest in humoring him.

Clutching her phone, she kept a polite smile on her face for appearance's sake, then turned and headed for the door.