Kneeling for a Second Chance (Sebastian and Valeria) novel Chapter 254

"To be frank, I never really hated you. I only ever resented you," Valeria answered Sebastian.

On the delivery bed, she had felt resentment toward Sebastian—and also toward herself.

Valeria bent down and reached out, brushing the corner of Sebastian's eyes with her fingertips. He was already crying helplessly, and she had never seen this proud, distant man fall apart like this.

She felt the heat of his tears on her skin, but the ocean breeze dried them almost instantly.

"Sebastian, how could I ever hate someone I once loved so deeply?"

He had once been the brightest part of her high school years.

He froze, trembling as he repeated, "You used to love me".

Valeria pulled her hand free and, without hesitation, scattered the ashes into the sea. Carried by the wind, the ashes drifted into the sea, where they became part of nature again.

Louis was now here, and so was she.

It felt as if a weight was finally lifted from her chest. A wave of dizziness washed over Valeria, and she gripped the railing for balance. Through the overcast sky, a ray of sunlight slipped through the clouds.

She stretched out her hand, and the light hit her fingers.

"No!" Sebastian lurched to his feet, gripping the railing as he stared out at the restless waves washing everything away.

He reached out, as if trying to hold on to something.

"Louis…" His voice broke as he collapsed onto the deck, utterly defeated.

Valeria looked at the faint ray of light breaking through the heavy clouds. A minute later, the ferry pulled into the transfer dock at Central Pier.

She got ready to disembark, looking at the man sitting on the deck, all of his arrogance stripped away.

"Selena is my daughter. If you want to see her, I won't stop you. However, she carries my last name. She's almost seven now, and in all those years, the role of a father has never existed in her world. And it never will."

Then, she unzipped her bag and pulled a photo from her cardholder. She placed it in his palm as she added, "Sebastian, we never parted on good terms. From now on, let's just keep our distance."

With that, Valeria turned and walked away. One last tear streamed down her cheek. She brushed it away quickly and stepped off the ferry.

Sebastian stared at the photo in his hand. It was a newborn, eyes shut tight, skin still tinged with blue.

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