Chapter 72

Selena's warm cheek rested against Sebastian's shoulder. He froze for a second as a strange, unexpected warmth welled up in his chest. He instinctively patted Selena's back gently, soothing her. Then, he heard a tiny whisper in her sleep. "Daddy." It was soft and barely audible. And with the rain pouring down around them, Valeria didn't hear it. Only Sebastian did. For a second, he thought he was imagining it. But that soft, childlike voice in his ear, though barely a whisper, felt all too real. Selena had fallen asleep on his shoulder, her soft, fair cheek resting gently against him, her warm breath brushing his skin. Though her breathing was soft and light, it somehow felt like it was in perfect rhythm with the beating of his heart. It caught him off guard for a moment, like someone had hit pause on his entire body. Sebastian knew that Selena had mistaken him for her dad. Valeria stood on her toes, lifting the umbrella to cover both Sebastian and Selena. Valeria glanced at him