Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 409 Gabriella knew this wasn't something she could brush off with an apology ora few flimsy excuses. On the floor lay shattered glass and scattered books. She had been locked in here for days, venting her rage, and the staff outside hadn't dared to enter. At that moment, Wendy's eyes landed on a piece of paper by her feet. She bent down and picked it up. Gabriella's voice trembled, but there was a flicker of triumph in her eyes. She choked with sobs. "This was the matching test I did a few days ago. I'm not a match with Dad. I really wish I were your biological daughter.

Then, I could have donated a kidney to him." She continued, "Mom, I know I was wrong. I truly did lose my mind in anger. You must understand me. After all, you hate Valeria so much, so you should understand how I felt at that moment. I never meant to hurt Dad. "It's true lasked Sabrina to drug Sebastian. If it had worked, Sebastian would have had to divorce Valeria and marry Sabrina once the media exposed it. Otherwise, the Lawson family would have pressured us. Then, Valeria would have been forced to leave in disgrace." Gabriella added, "I only wanted to help ease your troubles , ---- Mom.

Who could've guessed that Sabrina was such an idiot?" She had slept with Lucas instead, ruining Gabriella's own engagement to him. "As for Dad, haven't you noticed it, Mom? Dad always seems to take Valeria's side. I saw them playing chess together in the pavilion and laughing happily. So what if that photo was taken at the wrong angle? They were really enjoying each other's company." Gabriella had a manipulative tone.

She said, "Mom, if I hadn't exposed your connection to Valeria, wouldn't Dad have told you to keep it secret for the rest of your life?" Wendy fell silent, and Gabriella knew she had succeeded. She understood her mother. Wendy was obsessed with control and held deep grudges. She loved Alexander, so she hated Martha and Nicholas for tearing them apart back then. She hated her own parents for forcing her to marry Melvin, and she hated Valeria even more, but she didn't know that Valeria was her daughter with Alexander. Gabriella hadn't lost yet. She would be the winner in the end.

Her hatred wasn't just for Valeria. The moment she learned Valeria was Wendy and Alexander's child, she had started hating them, too. "Mom, I'm the only one who's truly on your side. We both ---- share the same enemy." Gabriella hugged Wendy, resting her chin on Wendy's shoulder as she clenched her fists tightly. Wendy replied, "However, her daughter is Sebastian's. We've already lost. There's no place left for us in the Grant family." "What? Selena is Sebastian's daughter?" Gabriella's eyes widened in shock. She hadn't expected that Sebastian would love that fat snob, Valeria, too.

Even Lucas had liked her, but why? Her privileged life felt like an illusion that was bursting before her eyes. Valeria and Mallory walked around the courtyard, and Mallory brought up many childhood memories. However, her version of Sebastian's youth differed from what Martha had said. She told Valeria that both Florian and Sebastian wore her hand -me-downs as children. Martha was frugal to the bone and couldn't bear to throw away anything. Then, Mallory said that Sebastian especially loved yellow. His favorite was a daisy - yellow dress she had outgrown.

Mallory said, "Florian and Sebastian were twins, so they had a kind of telepathy when they were little. Florian liked Dad and always followed him around. Meanwhile, Sebastian preferred Grandpa because Grandpa never punished him. ---- Sebastian was so cheeky that he deserved spankings at times. They stopped beside the old tree that was now surrounded by a bed of peonies. "They were twins, so how could only one of them be outstanding? Sebastian was brilliant, too. But Dad always favored Florian." She looked at Valeria.

The courtyard lights glowed with a soft yellow hue as stars sparkled in the clear night sky. In the silence of the night, Valeria was an excellent listener , always responding at the right moments and never interrupting. Mallory smiled. "When Sebastian was in college, he dated someone. I found out by accident, and even went to their campus cafe to spy on her. I ordered a vanilla latte and watched her working behind the counter." Valeria was genuinely surprised. Mallory blinked mischievously.

"It was at Spring Cafe, located at the southeast corner of the first-floor library in Stredview University."