The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 37

The sun had just begun to seep through the curtains when I felt a sudden jolt that rattled me from my dreams. Groaning, I rubbed my eyes and sat up in bed. My head was still foggy with sleep when I heard a voice, frantic and insistent, coming from the living room.

“Evie! Get up, quick! You won’t believe this!” Aria’s voice poured into my room.

My heart raced, my sleep–fogged mind struggling to make sense of her words. I stumbled out of bed, not even bothering to throw on a robe, and followed the sound of Aria’s voice down the narrow hallway into the living room.

What I saw on the television screen made me stop dead in my tracks.

The news anchors were talking fervently, their faces plastered with shock and excitement. I blinked, still not comprehending, until I saw both Timothy and I’s faces flash along the screen.

“Who could have imagined that a nameless newcomer like Evie could beat Timothy’s club owner, Mr. Fitzgerald, the most powerful man in the city?” the news anchor exclaimed. “It seems this may be the beautiful woman he had been trying to apologize to.”

I gaped at the screen, trying to process the words. Aria had been right; I couldn’t believe it. There, on national television, was the story of the past few weeks, presented like some dramatic movie plot. My heart pounded wildly as I watched the footage of our victory in court.

Aria turned to me, her face flushed with exhilaration. “Evic, can you believe it? You’re famous!”

Famous. It was a word I’d never associated with myself, and it seemed utterly surreal. I didn’t have the chance to say anything in response because my phone began ringing like a mad alarm. I grabbed it, and it was as though the world had discovered my number.

The notifications flooded in, with friends and acquaintances alike congratulating me on my unexpected fame.

“I need to get ready for work, I said absently, rushing out of the room.

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At work, the atmosphere was electric. My coworkers crowded around my desk, congratulating me, and sharing their admiration for my unexpected victory.

“Evie, you’re a sensation!” Trina exclaimed. “We’re so proud of you!”

“You go girl! Knew you could do it!” shouted Leila.

Then, Mr. Erickson’s voice boomed over the ruckus of the entire office, drawing everyone’s attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention, please?” he said.

The office fell silent. “I’m sure you’ve all heard about the incredible victory of one of our very own. Evie here has shown remarkable strength, and I’ve decided to give her a promotion and a well–deserved raise.”

A burst of applause erupted in the office, and I felt myself blush, my cheeks aflame with embarrassment. I was grateful for the recognition, but the spotlight was something I had never sought.

phone seemed to be ringing non–stop. The title of Senior Associate had brought with it newfound prestige, but it also seemed to demand more from

irwell–a small

short break was in order, I decided, and I headed for the refuge for moments of contemplation. I found a quiet landing a few floors below, where a small window

called, interrupting my thoughts. I looked up to see Linda descending the stairs. Her face was devoid of its usual pretense, and her eyes

frowned at her.

at me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. “Is this your version of a celebration, or

creep

in his good graces, there’s

Chapter 37

55%

the atmosphere was electric. My coworkers crowded around my desk, congratulating me,

exclaimed. “We’re

go girl! Knew you

the entire office, drawing everyone’s attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, can I have

sure you’ve all heard about the incredible victory of one of our very own. Evie here has shown remarkable strength, and I’ve decided

burst of applause erupted in the office, and I felt myself blush, my cheeks aflame with embarrassment.

I reached my desk, my inbox was already inundated with emails and messages, and my phone seemed to be ringing non–stop. The title of Senior Associate had brought

I headed for the stairwell–a small refuge for moments of contemplation. I found a quiet landing a few floors below, where a small window allowed a

the stairs. Her face was devoid of

bore

at her.

a shiver down my spine.

your

dread creep over me. “What do you

you’re in his good graces, there’s no

Thu, 21 Mar

Chapter 37

you in deeper and deeper, until

her words, but they felt like riddles.

voice low and resigned. “I was in your place once, full of

are now.”

away, her eyes distant. “You’ll have to take my place now, Evie, but be careful what you wish for. Success here comes at a cost. A cost you may not

before I could grasp the full meaning of her words. I was left bewildered and unnerved, my mind racing with questions and apprehension.

my desk, I couldn’t shake off the shadow of Linda’s words. The excitement over my promotion had turned into a nagging feeling of unease. It could have been her playing with my mind again, still bitter that she hadn’t been able to snatch

if it was deserved. Mr. Erickson had to acknowledge my success either way, so Linda’s investment in that might have been her own