Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

---- Chapter 452 Just two nights ago, Sebastian and Valeria still held each other close. Their hands had been clasped, their wedding still nothing more than a plan. She had said she wanted the gown in blue. It was still only a sketch. Now, Sebastian's palms dug into the ground as his chest heaved, but he couldn't catch his breath. His fingernails tore back and bled, but he didn't even notice. Inan instant, his world had shattered. Out of nowhere, a pair of tan boots stepped into view. Denim stretched over long legs, and through the haze of heat and flames, his eyes slowly rose.

'The figure was so familiar that Sebastian froze, his breath caught in his chest. For a moment, he thought it was only a hallucination. Then, Valeria reached out. Her fingertips were cool as she brushed Sebastian's cheek. She stood there in nothing but a beige sweater, saying, "Don't cry." Sebastian's whole body jolted as he grabbed her hand. In that instant, crushing grief and blinding joy collided, leaving him shaking. His lips trembled as he clung to her hand. He let out a broken ---- laugh, looking like he was crying and smiling at the same time.

Then, he surged to his feet and pulled her into his arms. This time, he wasn't letting go. Their hearts pounded against each other through the thin fabric, beating as if in reply. Sebastian cupped Valeria's face in both hands and kissed her, desperate and unyielding. When he finally let her breathe, his forehead rested against hers. Relief crashed through his grief at the thought of her being alive. Right then, Sebastian couldn't tell her how close he had come to feeling dead inside. Valeria wrapped her arms around his back, and she could feel the tremors still running through him.

She pressed her face to his chest, listening to the frantic beat of his heart. "Valeria..." Not far away, Alexander stared at Valeria in disbelief, joy flickering through the shock. Wendy, meanwhile, only stared at her own hands, tears spilling as she wept. By 8:00 am, the sun was rising. The fire was finally out, leaving behind only the charred remains of the building. Police led Jackson and his assistants away in custody. ---- An ambulance pulled up and took Wendy and Gabriella. Gabriella's injuries were severe. A doctor shook his head and sighed. "She has burns over 90% of her body.

Who's the family here? You need to be prepared." No one answered. Wendy's arm was burned. After being treated on the spot, the police led her away. As she staggered toward the patrol car, she stumbled and turned, taking a glance in Valeria's direction. Valeria stood at Sebastian's side, the rising sun behind them wrapping the two of them ina soft glow. Wendy squinted through the light and murmured, "Morning did come after all..." On the way back, Valeria took a deep breath of clean air and watched the sunlight filter in through the window.

She came back to herself and reached for Sebastian's left hand, her fingertip brushing the torn nail on his index finger, now crusted with dried blood. In turn, Sebastian lifted his hand and touched the cut at the corner of her mouth. Almost at the same time, they both asked, "Does it hurt?" Valeria shook her head and leaned against his shoulder as she said, "The weather forecast said today would be clear, and ---- they were right. It's indeed a beautiful day." "yeah," Sebastian replied. "From now on, every day will be a good day." "Yeah," Calvin was at the wheel.

After the chaos that morning, even he felt strangely refreshed. As he focused on the road, he had to admit that today really was beautiful.