Kneeling for a Second Chance (Sebastian and Valeria) novel Chapter 4

The private room was brightly lit, and the harsh light glared straight into Sebastian's face. His expression was calm. Between his fingers, a cigarette had burned down so much that it singed his skin, but he seemed not to feel it at all.

A faint smell of his own scorched flesh reached his nose, but his nerves felt numb.

Suddenly, he stood up, bent down, and picked up the suit jacket that had fallen to the floor.

His face remained impassive, but he had a dark look. "The hospital just called. I have to leave."

Sebastian walked out quickly. His steps had a restless energy to them, as though he couldn't bear to stay there for another second.

Luke hurried after him but soon realized that Sebastian had already vanished, so he could only return to the room.

At that moment, a female classmate who had been silent all night hesitated. Then, she spoke softly. Her voice was quiet, yet it instantly silenced the entire room. "Didn't any one of you hear the rumor?"

"What rumor?"

She answered, "Jane and Sebastian were both at Stredview University. They secretly dated for three years."

The words sent shockwaves through the group.

Yelena's voice was shrill with disbelief. "Mona Nolan, what nonsense are you spouting? Jane? That ugly, fat woman? Why would Sebastian ever stoop so low? Are you dreaming?"

"Yeah, Mona, are you confused? If Jane could land Sebastian, then I would already have married into the Grant family by now."

A male classmate couldn't help but interject, "Hey, that's not fair. Jane might have been chubby, but she wasn't ugly. She had really fair skin and a soft, gentle voice."

Mona nodded. She had been shocked when she found out. "It's true. My sister went to Stredview University, and this gossip was all over campus. A chubby woman and the campus heartthrob in a secret three-year relationship. If you don't believe me, ask Sebastian yourself."

Of course, no one would dare to ask him. It sounded absurd, but her confidence made everyone start to believe her.

"Still, is Jane really dead now?" Someone asked hesitantly.

Yelena gritted her teeth in annoyance. "She probably is. Wasn't she supposed to have a huge tumor on her belly? She's probably gone. Otherwise, someone would've heard from her after all these years."

In this age of social media, it did seem likely that someone with no presence was gone.

Sebastian turned a corner and ran straight into someone.

A soft voice yelped as the other person staggered back a few steps.

Valeria instinctively reached out to grab something for balance and clutched the man's shirt. "I'm so sorry," she blurted, letting him go.

As she looked up at his familiar, striking face, all color drained from her face.

She hadn't expected to see him again. Was the world really this small?

"Sorry," Sebastian muttered as he brushed past her. His mind was in chaos, and he needed a place to calm down.

The faint, crisp scent he carried faded from the air, and Valeria remained standing there.

She had only come out to use the bathroom, but she never expected to run into the person who used to be the center of her world.

Her gaze dropped to the floor to see an intricately crafted cufflink there.

She bent to pick it up. Then, she instinctively turned in the direction Sebastian had gone, taking a few steps before stopping abruptly.

They no longer had anything to do with each other. Being strangers was the best outcome.

…

Back home, Valeria showered and lay in bed, staring at the cufflink she had set on her nightstand.

Her fingers brushed its smooth surface as memories surfaced.

The man's habits and preferences didn't seem to have changed. He had always loved this brand—niche and understated, but made exquisitely.

Her thoughts were broken when her phone rang. "Hello, Grandma."

"Valeria, why did you send me more money? I don't need it. I barely spend anything at home."

Hearing her grandmother, Margaret Jameson's, mix of reproach and affection, Valeria let out a soft smile. "Then, help me save the money."

They chatted briefly.

Work had been hectic lately. Valeria had planned on taking Selena home before the school term began, but she hadn't managed to find the time.

Once things settled down, she thought about having Margaret stay with them for a while.

Margaret was the only family she had left.

As they were about to hang up, Margaret hesitated before speaking again. "Valeria, your uncle might have… Well, he's still your uncle. He came home recently and asked about you…"

Her voice trailed off.

Valeria didn't want Margaret worrying about those people.

Her parents had divorced when she was a child. Her mother walked out and never returned, not even when her grandfather died.

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