Chapter 158
It was already noon, but the surgery was still underway.
Lucy’s phone buzzed. She handed it to Valeria, who glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Shane calling.
Valeria took the call.
“How is Lenny’s surgery going?” Shane’s voice rang out from the other end of the line.
“It’s not done yet. How are things on your end? Mrs. Clark mentioned that you’re coming back on the 15th, are you?”
Lucy muttered, “It’s actually the 17th. He’ll be home for the holidays, but he won’t stay long. It’s the same every year.
“Since he’s only home for a few days, he might as well not come back at all.”
Shane sounded apologetic as he explained, “Mom, there’s been a change at work. I’ll explain
when I’m back.”
It was around 8:00 pm in Amaran, and Valeria didn’t want to pull him away from work. Shane said his current project was nearing its final stage, so things had finally slowed down a bit.
He also told her to drop him a text or give him a call once Selena’s surgery was over.
As they were about to hang up, Lucy said, “Don’t come home alone for New Year’s. If you’re coming, make sure you bring your girlfriend.”
With that, she huffed and started jabbing at her phone screen. Because she couldn’t see, she tapped the wrong spots a few times before finally ending the call.
However, Valeria knew, deep down, Lucy really looked forward to Shane coming home. He only came back once a year.
The year before last, he returned for Thanksgiving and left after just three days.
Shane was Lucy’s only child. When Valeria took Selena back to Verdanci District to spend time with Margaret last year, Lucy was alone at home.
The house felt quiet and empty. Being a headstrong person, Lucy would never admit that she hated being lonely.
Valeria had no idea how to break the news of Selena and her leaving Slate City to Lucy. The words caught in her chest, and she only let out a quiet sigh.
Chapter 158
2/3
Another hour passed, and the light above the operating room went out.
The first to come out was Jamie, who told Valeria the surgery had been a success.
She breathed a sigh of relief, the weight in her chest finally easing.
Sebastian removed his mask and took off his gown. He lifted his gaze to glance at Selena lying on the bed and at the IV drip. She was receiving a plasma transfusion on one of her hands, and the bag was labeled with her blood type.
The medical staff wheeled Selena out.
With just one glance, Sebastian frowned, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“Dr. Grant!” Someone called him.
Sebastian pulled his thoughts together and walked out. He saw Valeria supporting Lucy as they followed alongside the hospital bed into the ward.
He caught up in a few steps, hearing Valeria ask, “Will Lenny be able to live like a normal child from now on?”
“Yes.”
Valeria raised a hand to cover her face, her shoulders trembling slightly. She had no regrets now. All she wished was for Selena to live a healthy and worry–free life.
Lucy was in the ward.
Sebastian didn’t stay long. As he patted Valeria’s shoulder and turned to leave, he heard Lucy
say, “Give Shane a call and tell him Lenny’s surgery was a success.
Valeria nodded and took the phone.
As Sebastian closed the door to leave, he heard her raspy yet gentle voice say, “Lenny just
came out of surgery. It was a success.”
His grip around the doorknob tightened, and his knuckles turned white.
No matter the state of their relationship or the distance between them, they were still a family, Shane and Valeria were Selena’s parents.
Sebastian lit a cigarette. He bit down on the cigarette filter, then kept it between his lips. Pale smoke drifted up, veiling his face and hiding the cold and self–mockery look in his eyes. His thumb rubbed over the lighter’s wheel.
Jamie happened to pass by. He had originally planned to greet Sebastian. After all, the surgery went very well. However, seeing that Sebastian didn’t seem to be in a good mood, he decided not to approach.
Chapter 158
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Selena stayed in the hospital for a week. When they got home, she remained on bed rest.
Over the past few days, Sebastian had been visiting almost every day, to the point that even the two dogs at Valeria’s place had gotten familiar with him.
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