The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 43

Bruce walked closer, a wicked smirk on his face as he greeted me with false pleasantries. “Well, well, look who decided to show up. How have you been, Coco?”

My jaw clenched as my anger simmered just below the surface. I had hoped to avoid

any unnecessary small talk, but I couldn’t ignore the taunts. “Cut the act, Bruce. You called me here, now state your demands,” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.

Bruce’s smirk widened, and he leaned in closer, reveling in my discomfort. “I have to admit, I didn’t think you’d ever amount to anything. But seeing you on the news, winning that court case, made me realize you might have something to offer me,” he said, his eyes glinting with greed.

My blood ran cold at the mention of the court case. “And now you want my earnings?” I asked, not masking my irritation.

Bruce chuckled darkly, circling around me like a predator closing in on its prey. “Yes, Coco. I want a share of your winnings. You owe me after what you did,” he said, his words coming out in a hiss.

“You seem fine,” I said, looking him over. “Still dodging you daily showers, it seems.” Bruce chuckled. “I always did enjoy your humor, Coco.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Why not, Coco?” he persisted, his eyes darkening. “Hell, I don’t speak a lick of French, but damn are you as darling as the word suggests.”

“God!” I huffed and forced my hands to my sides, suppressing the need to strangle him. “What have you even been doing alll these years, Bruce? I mean, I besides extorting people.”

Bruce glanced around and shoved his hands in his pockets, “I’ve been trying to get back on track. Especially after you left home so suddenly. You really broke my heart, you know?”

“Didn’t know you owned one of those,” I muttered. “And you barely answered my question.”

His eyes narrowed. “If you’re wondering about your dear ‘ol stepmom, she’s doing

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Chapter 431

A little shaken still

had almost forgotten about Laura, although she wasn’t exactly receptive to my existence

with her?” I asked. I wanted to add if they were still in my father’s house, but

up quiet a bit. With your dad gone, she figured it was time to

of Laura tossing out his belongings, and likely my own, disturbed me. I had left so abruptly that I hadn’t had

even reached out after I disappeared

dappled in various odd jobs around town,” Bruce continued. “After paying for all

me to feel bad for you? Sorry you never applied yourself when you had the chance!”

into a sinister smile. “Believe what you want,

You were the one who made my life a living hell,

were the naive one, Coco. Thinking you could escape your past

I fought to maintain my composure. “I’m not naive anymore, Bruce. I’ve grown since then, and I won’t let you or

stomach churned with unease. Coming out here was starting to feel a little less sensical, but part of

vengeance.

Chapter 43

I hadn’t won, what would his intentions have been then? He had been contacting me even before then.

put me through?” I spat back, my anger bubbling to the

Coco. That little knock to the head you gave me left

you didn’t deserve!” I snapped. “And it seems you lost a few brain cells after the

the roots of my air and I was being slammed against one of the storage units. My vision flashed white as my head hit the sheet siding of

nostrils. “Still mouthing off I see.” His finger

“That little boyfriend of yours could never

a hard shove, sending him stumbling backward. “I’d rather douse myself in fire than

and his shoulders hunched over. I took a few steps away and crossed my arms over my

“So go crawl

Bruce’s eyes, and he lunged towards