Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 438 Valeria didn't look back. She would never forgive Jennifer, nor would she accept Thomas' apology. The uncle who had once cared for her as a child was nothing but a memory. From then on, their paths never crossed again. The Grant residence was lively on New Year's Day. Sebastian instructed the butler , Brody Summer, to limit the guests. At the entrance , Brody handed out small gifts while refusing most who came by. Inside, the reception rooms were filled with people from the Grant side of the family. Martha held Valeria's hand, introducing her to each relative in turn.

By noon, two dining halls were opened to entertain the guests. By evening, Valeria's hands were full of gifts. Selena had also collected plenty of gifts, proudly wearing a teddy bear diamond brooch that Mallory had given her. As Valeria was helping Selena tidy up, she noticed a Kraft envelope mixed in with the gifts. Inside was a deed of transfer. Selena explained, "Uncle Alexander gave me this." ---- Valeria then found Alexander in the study on the second floor. "Alexander, this is too much." What he had given Selena was an estate in West Courtworth worth 50 million dollars.

"Tlost a chess game to Lenny. It's my gift to her," he explained. "You're her mother, so you can keep it for her until she's 18, but you can't refuse it on her behalf." "Thank you, Alexander." Valeria thanked him. "Have Lenny come play chess with me. I won't keep you too long, or Sebastian will come looking for me," Alexander joked, the chessboard already set as he motioned Valeria closer. "Lenny is with him downstairs. It snowed this morning, and they've been out in the yard building snowmen." Outside, the yard was blanketed in white, frost weighing down the pine branches.

Sebastian, dressed in a dark brown coat, was on the phone. In front of him stood two big snowmen and one smaller version. On the other end, Simon's voice came through. "Mark's hot spring resort opens on the 8th January, right after the holiday. Let's all meet up there, and bring your wife along." Sebastian gave a quiet hum in response . Suddenly , he heard the sound of running footsteps behind him, followed by ---- Selena's bright voice as she said, "Daddy! I brought carrots for the snowmen's noses!" Sebastian held the phone, but whatever Simon was saying on the other end didn't register.

He hung up and slowly turned around. Selena came running over, juggling a bundle of clothes to dress the snowmen, his sunglasses, and three carrots squeezed in one hand. Her red puffer coat with its white fur collar framed her delicate face, lit up with laughter. Seeing him stand there silently, she called out again, her voice bright with excitement. "Daddy, we can use the carrots for the snowmen's noses! Your snowman can wear the sunglasses , Mommy's snowman can have the scarf, and I've got a hat for mine!" The yard was hushed, snow falling softly all around.

Sebastian stood in the snow, breath misting in the cold air. Flakes dotted his dark coat, his tall figure still and strong. Then, he slowly bent to face his daughter . As he blinked, the frost on his lashes gave way, and his eyes softened with warmth, He pinched Selena's cheek and took the carrots and clothes from her hands as he said, "Alright. I will help you decorate the snowmen." He tried to hold it in, but the feeling swelled and overtook ---- him. His eyes even turned red. On New Year's Day, Selena had called him "Daddy". That rush of emotion carried all the way into the night.

Sitting with Valeria in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of their bedroom , watching the snow drift outside , Sebastian held her wrist tightly. He said, "Lenny called me 'Daddy' today." Valeria replied, "Yeah. Give her a little time. She'll slowly come around." Then, before he could answer, she asked, "Did you give her a gift?" When Sebastian nodded, she stretched out her hand with a grin. "And where's mine?" He swatted her hand lightly, then stood and walked to the closet. He came back with a shopping bag, looping it over her wrist and said, "Try it on." She opened it and froze.

All she saw was black lace, almost see -through, with nothing but two thin straps to hold it up. Closing the box, she looked at him. "So is this a gift for me... or for you?" It was pretty clear he was the one who'd be enjoying the so- called gift.