The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 25

EVIE POV

The evening had settled into a soothing rhythm, the city’s distant hum fading as I prepared for bed, hoping to steal a few precious hours of rest before another demanding day at the firm..

Just as I was about to switch off my laptop, an email notification blinked on my – screen. It was from Linda, and I couldn’t help but feel a sinking sensation in the pit of my stomach. The subject line was concise and to the point: “Urgent Research Required.”

I opened the email and my heart sank as I read the contents. Linda was requesting a substantial amount of research to be done before our next meeting, which seemed almost impossible given the limited time. I couldn’t bring myself to say no, however, as I sensed she would use that against me.

As I delved into the research, the hours passed like a whirlwind. The minutes ticked away relentlessly, and before I knew it, the clock read 4:00 a.m. I hadn’t even touched the surface of the work Linda had requested. My eyes ached, my visión blurred, and the weight of exhaustion bore down on my shoulders.

The next day, as I stumbled into the office, bleary–eyed and drained, I felt a sense of dread. I was going to have to face Linda and explain why I hadn’t been able to finish the research.

With a long sigh, I approached Linda’s office and knocked gently on the open door. She looked up from her desk, her eyes cold and calculating.

“Evie, have you completed the research I asked for?” she inquired as I walked in.

I hesitated, my anger and frustration threatening to boil over. “Linda, I tried, but there was a lot I had to get through, and I ended up working through the night. I’m exhausted, and I couldn’t finish it.”

Linda’s response was a dismissive wave of her hand. “Evie, we have a client to represent, and his case is of the utmost importance. I expect this research to be completed by the end of the day.”

I bit my lip, forcing down the less than professional words ready to slip out. I forced a tight–lipped smile and nodded. “I’ll get on that, Ms. Turner.”

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Chapter 25

Begrudgingly, I returned to my desk and plopped down in my chair. After logging into my computer, I tried to pick up where I had left off. My mind felt like a haze, and the words on the screen swam before my eyes. The research felt like a never- ending maze, with no clear path to a solution.

my overheated laptop

moment.

back protesting the long hours spent hunched over my desk. As I made my way towards the breakroom for some coffee, the

the counter, trying to steady myself, but it was a losing battle. The world grew darker, and I felt myself

could collapse, a pair of strong arms reached out to catch me. I was vaguely aware of voices, of concerned murmurs, and the feeling of being supported. My vision cleared enough for me to see

of the women in the group, Harriet, stepped forward, her voice slightly muffled. “Evie, are

and that I needed to get back to work, but my

around my shoulder. “You need to rest, Evie. Come

world faded to black, and I felt myself being

TIMOTHY POV

firm was buzzing with the usual energy when Timothy arrived that evening. Linda had called for yet another meeting, and he felt slightly less

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20

Chapter 25

which each.

absence from the recent meetings, which was unusual. It was the third time in a row that she hadn’t been present. Evie had been an essential part of him pushing through

and knocked gently on the open door. Linda looked up from her documents, a welcoming smile

she said

flatly, walking in and took a seat at

“Oh, Evie couldn’t make it to the meetings. She’s been swamped with

had promised that she would be the face

his gaze flickering toward the door. He felt a feather–like touch over his fingers and I turned his head

that tone all too well, and he could barely stomach

and cleared his throat. “Right. Let’s get

himself knocking on Mr. Erickson’s door and entered when he heard a gruff acknowledgment. The boss looked

are you?” he asked chipperly,