Kneeling for a Second Chance Novel

Chapter 89 Sebastian had always lived a charmed life - praised , admired , untouchable . He had never truly stumbled , especially not when it came to love . Well , maybe once . When a woman had blackmailed him ... and then vanished into thin air . But now ? He realized this was the second time . He'd accused Valeria of getting too close to another man , of being careless with appearances . But the one who couldn't let go was him . And she'd called him out on it . She was right . He knew it . But he didn't want to admit it .

Instead of arguing or letting go of her hand , he clamped down harder . His face darkened , his silence heavy . He kept walking , dragging her along toward her apartment building . His grip didn't waver . She'd hit a nerve . The only proper response would have been to let go- or at least deny it . But Sebastian did neither . He just tightened his grip . He moved fast , but even with one arm holding the child , his movements were steady and precise . Selena glanced at him , then back at Valeria , and softly called , " Mommy . " But there was no fear in her voice . None at all .

Valeria nodded quickly in response . A few neighbors passed by , giving them side - eyes . From the outside , they looked like a ridiculously good - looking couple in the middle of a cold war . But anyone who lived in this building knew Valeria . The entire neighborhood was full of Lucy's boardgame buddies and the entire senior dance troupe knew Valeria like the back of their hand . They looked at Valeria , then glanced at Sebastian . Just as Valeria and Sebastian reached the second floor of the stairwell , a door on the first floor opened and two elderly ladies stepped out .

They came face - to - face with Valeria . All three froze for a moment . Sebastian instinctively let go of Valeria's hand . He didn't really want to . But he also knew this building was full of her neighbors , and what he'd just done had clearly crossed a line . Valeria was married . And she lived with her mother - in - law . All the conflict , all the hesitation inside him was hidden behind a calm expression as he walked past the two old ladies with the girl in his arms and kept heading upstairs .

One of the elderly women leaned over and whispered to her friend, " Isn't that the lady who lives upstairs ? Lucy's daughter - in - law ? " " Who's the man with her ? Dressed like that ... He looks loaded . " " Valeria's got some nerve , huh . " " And what's going on with her and Shane ? I heard they- " The white - haired lady didn't even finish her sentence before Sebastian , already a few steps ahead , stopped in his tracks . He turned around , his face sharp and cold , a flicker of warning flashing in his eyes as he stared straight at the two women .

They both jumped , exchanging a quick look . Valeria quickly stepped in . " I'm sorry , Mrs. Tilman , Ms. Fisher . " Then she nudged Sebastian hard in the back , pushing him up the stairs . She shot him an annoyed glare , lips pressed tight . She was completely exasperated . He let her push him forward . To him , it wasn't much force . It was barely anything . But from Valeria's side , she was clearly using all her strength . Instinctively , he leaned back a little . Her palm pressed firmly against the center of his back , right along his spine . Warm , steady , and soft at the fingertips .

He didn't say a word . Just quietly walked ahead as Valeria followed behind . She couldn't see his expression . All she wanted was to get home and send this god of trouble on his way . It wasn't even that she cared what the neighbors might say about her . What she hated was them talking about Selena behind her back , especially the women . They were the worst - gossipy , petty , and mean - spirited . Once , an old lady in the complex had called Selena a " bastard " -right to Selena's face . And she had said Selena was born out of wedlock to some random man . That was three years ago .

Valeria had just moved in . After Shane's father passed away , she and Shane had agreed to divorce . Selena was barely three then . She was still mixing up her words when she spoke . That day , Lucy had given Selena some money and told her to walk to the corner store to buy some chocolate on her own . It was close , and Lucy followed at a distance , just a few yards behind , trying to teach Selena some independence . When Selena got home , she looked up and asked in her soft , milky voice , " Mommy , what's a bastard ? Mrs. Murphy called me a bastard .

" Valeria's mind went completely blank in that moment , like a bomb had gone off in her head . Then she just pulled Selena into her arms and held Selena tight . It was Lucy who stormed down to the store to confront the woman . " Jacklyn Murray ! If you don't shut your filthy mouth , don't blame me for what happens next . " Jacklyn scoffed . " She had a kid before she married your son , so she shouldn't be surprised that people are talking . What ? Did you really think your son was just going to step in and play dad ? " No wonder he bailed right after they got married .

You let him marry a woman with a kid , and yeah , she looks all sweet , but who knows what kind of stuff she's