Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 428 Sebastian stood beside Valeria, looking at Alexander and Wendy before glancing at Gabriella just behind them. After his gaze sharpened, he called out respectfully, "Alexander." "Alexander." Valeria followed suit. Wendy said nothing to that and held onto Alexander's arm. " Let me help you upstairs to rest. There's still some time before dinner." She deliberately avoided looking at Valeria, doing her best to show restraint . If it weren't for his illness , she would never have swallowed her pride like this.

Gabriella, however, trembled slightly when she met Sebastian's cold gaze. Her eyes reddened, and she looked pitiful and afraid. Alexander coughed a few times, patting Wendy's arm. "Why don't you bring Gabriella upstairs first? I'll talk to Mom and Dad for a bit." Holding a gift box, Gabriella walked to the couch and opened the box. "Grandma, Grandpa, this is the Blessings for the Household that I got for you from the Church of St. Clare of Assisi in Isandria.. It symbolizes a happy home and fortune." Nicholas glanced at it and nodded. Martha took it and passed it to Avery.

"That was thoughtful of you. Now that you're back, let's just enjoy the New Year ---- together." Gabriella followed Wendy upstairs. Valeria and Wendy avoided looking at each other, brushing each other silently. Only Gabriella , with a trembling voice, called out, "Sebastian, Valeria." Valeria frowned but said nothing. Sebastian also furrowed his brows. Gabriella seemed to carry herself with a fragile, trembling air today. She was soft and careful , as though she had been completely reformed, but he didn't believe that a person could change so drastically in a few short months.

"You must be Lenny." Alexander reached out and beckoned . Selena walked over, and he bent down. "You've grown." "Uncle Alexander," Selena greeted. Looking at Selena, Alexander suddenly felt a warmth in his heart. Even the weariness of the long journey seemed to lessen. He took a strong liking to the girl and couldn't help but pat her head, feeling the same affinity as when he first met Valeria. The girl really resembled Valeria-gentle, quiet, and intelligent. Alexander pulled her into a hug, his hands gripping her underarms to lift her. She blushed.

"Uncle Alexander, I'm not alittle kid anymore." ---- Valeria chuckled. "She's not easy to carry nowadays. You might not be able to lift her." After all, she wasn't three anymore. Leo came running over, stretching out his arms. "Uncle Alexander, you can carry me. I'm really skinny now." Alexander loved children and had brought him gifts too. Leo clung to him, asking, "Uncle Alexander, is Isandria fun? I heard they have ice-sculpted roses there." Alexander replied, "When we have the time, I'll bring you there to take a look." Meanwhile, Wendy and Gabriella were heading up to the second floor.

Hearing the laughter and chatter downstairs , the mother and daughter felt like outsiders. Wendy tightened her grip on her purse. Gabriella curved her lips into a faint smile. 'Mom, Dad seems to really like that little girl. She really does look a lot like Valeria." "Don't talk nonsense." Wendy scoffed. Gabriella clung to Wendy's arm. "Mom, I just feel sorry for you. If only you and Dad had a child together , or I were your real daughter, then we'd have a perfect life now. I truly wish I could give one of my kidneys to Dad..." As she said that, Gabriella's voice choked with tears.

---- Wendy looked at Gabriella , unable to bring herself to speak any words of blame. "It's enough that you feel this way. Even if you really were our biological daughter, we could never bear to let you sacrifice yourself to keep your father alive. I believe a matching donor will be found."