Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 373 Lucas watched Valeria's back as she walked away. When she suddenly walked off, he didn't get angry or take it personally. He simply waited until she was out of sight, then closed his eyes and drew in a slow breath, savoring the faint trace of her scent still lingering in the air, as if savoring the moment. His phone rang, but he ignored it. The ringing cut off, then started again a few seconds later. Only then did Lucas open his eyes. Gabriella's soft voice came through the speaker. "Luke, where did you go? Mom's looking for you." "Alright.

I'll be there in a bit," he replied dismissively. When the call ended, even the faint trace of Valeria's scent in the air seemed to fade away. Valeria stepped out of the lounge and wandered through the courtyard. Outside the cool of the AC, the air was stuffy. But by now, the sun was setting, the sky streaked with color, and the worst of the heat had finally eased. On either side of the courtyard's front gate stood a pine tree. Inside, a pond held fat and colorful fish in the water. A paved path of smooth river stones led to a pavilion, the gardens ---- around it neatly kept by a landscaper.

As Valeria walked closer, she saw Alexander sitting in the pavilion. Earlier in the living room, only Wendy had been there. Now, a chessboard was set on the stone table in front of him. He wore a navy polo shirt, a strip of gauze taped to the inside of his left arm where dialysis had left its mark. He stayed lean, his posture still sharp despite his age. In his 50s now, Alexander gave off a calm, dignified presence. The rimless glasses on his face only added to it, and it almost seemed as though even the breeze stilled around him. His gaze rested intently on the chessboard.

Every so often, he paused in thought, playing a game against himself. Valeria was about to turn and leave, not wanting to disturb him. But Alexander happened to glance up. Their eyes met, and his expression was calm and kind. Even knowing she was Wendy and Melvin's daughter, he still gave her a kind smile and motioned her over. She sat down on the stone bench. For some reason, the air that had felt stifling only moments ago now seemed cooler inside the pavilion . Somehow, the air didn't feel as stifling anymore.

Alexander looked at Valeria with a smile, the lines at the corners of his eyes deepening. ''That stretch of woods behind ---- the house belongs to us as well. There's still an old treehouse back there. When Sebastian was little, he'd sneak off there all the time." Given his age, he could have passed for Sebastian's father. Even the way he talked about Sebastian had that same parental weight. Valeria hadn't only met him just a handful of times. But it was enough for her to tell why Sebastian respected Alexander. He really was a nice person.

Then, Alexander said gently, "If Wendy comes to you and says something harsh, don't take it to heart." Valeria didn't respond. It was impossible not to take it to heart. Hearing those kinds of words from her own mother... Valeria tried not to dwell on it, but she couldn't stop herself from replaying them in her head. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "She told me she regretted not smothering me when I was born." Valeria wasn't sure why she blurted that out to Alexander, almost like a bitter complaint, tinged with hurt. After all, he was Wendy's husband.

It was natural for him to be on Wendy's side. And from where he stood, he couldn't really relate to what Valeria had said. Still, he carried a calm steadiness that put her at ease, something oddly familiar. ---- It felt strange. Alexander's hand, holding a white chess piece, paused midair. He looked at Valeria , who sat across from him, and asked, " Do you play chess?" Valeria shook her head. "Let me teach you," he said. In the distance, two outside chefs followed a housekeeper through the garden. One of them whispered, "That's Mr. Alexander and Ms. Grant in the pavilion, right?

Iheard the Grant residence is packed with guests tonight, and the kitchen's overwhelmed . That's why they called us in." "You've got it wrong. That's Mrs. Grant." "What? I thought they were father and daughter."