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.

I found myself surrounded by stacks of legal documents while my overheated laptop struggled to load. I needed to

moment.

back protesting the long hours spent hunched over my desk. As I made my way towards the breakroom for some coffee, the world seemed to sway around me, my vision

I clutched onto the edge of the counter, trying to steady myself, but it was a losing battle. The world grew darker,

of strong arms reached out to catch me. I was vaguely aware of voices, of concerned murmurs, and the feeling

in the group, Harriet, stepped forward, her voice slightly

to protest, to insist that I was fine and that I needed to get back to work, but my words came out as

my shoulder. “You need to rest, Evie. Come on. I’ll

to resist, but my body was no longer under my control. The world faded to black, and I felt myself being gently guided towards the exit. The last thing I heard before slipping into

TIMOTHY POV

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

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20

Chapter 25

which each.

third time in a row that she hadn’t been present. Evie had been an essential part of him pushing through this

door. Linda looked up from

she

in and took a seat at the table. “Where’s

make

face

the door. He felt a feather–like touch over his fingers and I turned his head to see

that tone all

pulled his hand away and cleared his throat. “Right. Let’s get started,

door and entered when he heard

how are you?” he asked