She wrapped herself in coldness and silence, building walls he couldn''t see through. Only then did he finally realize what he''d lost.


    Fiftieth step. "Lord, please, just give me one more chance to fix this." The words circled in Sebastian''s mind as he bent forward. His lips tasted salt, but he couldn''t tell if it was the rain or his own tears.


    By the time he hit step eighty, his body was barely hanging on. Cold and exhaustion squeezed the breath out of him, every inhale sharp and painful. His knees felt like they were being stabbed with red-hot needles, each movement a mix of faith and regret. The world blurred around him until all he could hear was rain pounding the stone steps and his own heavy breathing.


    But he couldn''t stop. Not now.


    Memories of Reese shed through his mind-her pale face when she was sick, her eyebrows drawn together even in sleep, the quiet hope in her eyes when she''d handed him that pendant. Those memories were a soft light in his battered soul, carrying him forward, step by aching step, toward the altar.


    He clenched his jaw and forced himself up, only to drop to his knees again. His forehead hit the icy stone, as if he could press his soul into the rain-soaked steps.


    "Eightieth step. Lord, please help my grandfather. Let him get through this."


    His knees had split open long ago, blood mixing with rain and dirt, leaving a smeared trail behind him. His arms shook from the effort, every muscle screaming, every push upward a fight against all the pain he''d caused.


    Under the portico, a priest finally couldn''t take it anymore. His voice broke through the rain, tight with worry. "Child, you''ve shown enough faith! Please, get up! I''ll tell the bishop to light two candles for you at the altar!"


    Sebastian looked up, rain running down his face, eyes steady and determined. He shook his head, his voice barely a whisper. "No. I need to do this myself."


    He knew that unless he climbed every step-using everyst bit of strength and regret—his apology would mean nothing.


    Ny. Ny-five. Every step felt like walking on knives. His body was about to give out, his mind flickering between blinding light and darkness. Even the rain sounded far away now.


    But there was only one thing left in his heart. He had to finish. He had to light those candles for Reese and his father.


    At the ny-ninth step, a pair of warm hands reached out in front of him, steadying him.


    Sebastian looked up. An old priest in a gray robe stood before him, holding an umbre over his head to block the rain.


    "My child, why are you putting yourself through this?" The priest''s voice was gentle, full of understanding.


    "I just want to pray for one more chance with her," Sebastian said quietly Please, Father, can I have two prayer pendants? One for my wifes peace one for my grandfather''s blessing." Content"


    The priest took in the mud and rain all over Sebastian, sighed softly, and reached


    out to stop him. "Your faith is enough, my son. Come inside with me."


    Sebastian staggered after him into the church. Inside, it was quiet except for the rain and the distant sound of bells.


    The priest walked to the altar, lit three white candles, and handed two to Sebastian. "Kneel. The Lord will hear your heart."


    Sebastian took the candles and knelt, ignoring the pain burning in his knees. He sped his hands, closed his eyes, and poured everything into his prayer.


    "Lord, I know was wrong. I hurt the person I love most. Please keep Reese safe, and healthy. Please give me one more chance to take care of her. And please help my grandfather through this. Grant him a long, peaceful life."


    When he was done, the priest pressed two medals with the Virgin Mary''s image


    into his hands-just like the one Reese had once given him.


    "Keep these close. With a sincere heart, the Lord will show mercy. Do good. Cherish those around you."


    Sebastian gripped the pendants tight and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Father."


    The next morning, Reese sat at


    Annie''s bedside, watching her slowly


    wake up. She checked Annie''s temperature first, making sure her little girl waspletely out of


    danger before finally picking up her phone, ready to check work messages.


    She didn''t expect to find her inbox packed with frantic texts from her friends.


    A secondter, a bold headline on Twitter''s trending page jumped out at her.


    #Stunned! Mr. Ratcliff seen kneeling in the rain on the church steps-rumored to be begging for a second chance at love!#