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. In an 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 shaki