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.

The title of Senior Associate had brought with it newfound prestige, but it also seemed to demand

irwell–a small

order, I decided, and I headed for the refuge for moments of contemplation. I found a quiet landing a

looked up to see Linda descending the stairs. Her face was devoid of its

frowned at her.

a shiver down my spine. “Is this your version of

felt a sense of dread creep over

expression darkened. “Once you’re in

Chapter 37

55%

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

you’re a sensation!” Trina exclaimed. “We’re so

Knew you could do

ruckus of the entire office, drawing everyone’s attention. “Ladies and

fell silent. “I’m sure you’ve all heard about the incredible victory of one of our very own. Evie here has

my cheeks aflame with embarrassment. I was grateful for the recognition, but the spotlight was something I

and my 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

found a quiet landing a few floors below, where a small

stairs. Her face

bore

frowned at

with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. “Is this version of a celebration, or has he gotten

your

of dread creep over me. “What do you mean,

you’re in his good graces, there’s no

Thu,

Chapter 37

you in deeper

words, but they felt like riddles. “Linda, please, you have to explain.

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

of her words. I was left bewildered and unnerved, my mind racing with questions and apprehension. What did she mean by “take my place“? What was the cost she had alluded

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

been sudden, even if it was deserved. Mr. Erickson had to acknowledge my success either way, so Linda’s investment