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

little shaken still after

almost forgotten about Laura, although she wasn’t exactly receptive to my existence half the time. She had been pretty disturbed by my father’s death,

they were still in my father’s house,

place up quiet a bit. With your dad gone, she figured it

had left so abruptly that I hadn’t had the time to really collect sentimental items. It could have been Bruce trying to rile me up, but it didn’t feel outside of Laura’s

even reached out after I disappeared

Bruce continued. “After paying for all those hospital bills, it’s been a little

“Do you expect me to feel bad for you? Sorry you never applied yourself when you had

before his face twisted into a sinister smile. “Believe what you want, Coco. It doesn’t change

nothing, Bruce. You were the one who made my life a living hell, and I’m done being manipulated

smile faltered. “You always were the naive one, Coco. Thinking you could escape your past and start anew,” he

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

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

vengeance.

Chapter 43

been contacting me even before then. Of course, I

think I owe you something after everything you put me through?” I spat back, my anger bubbling

me left some personal

snapped. “And

being slammed against one of the storage units. My

in, his sour breath invading my nostrils. “Still mouthing off I see.” His finger and thumb took hold of my chin as

miss me,” he whispered. “That little boyfriend of yours could never

fuck away from me!” I gave him a hard shove, sending him stumbling backward. “I’d rather douse

his smile disappeared, and his shoulders hunched over. I took a few

stated. “So go crawl back into whatever

lunged towards me, demanding, “Don’t make me ask