The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 45

I felt the gnawing ache in my stomach as I sat in the dimly lit shed, weak from hunger. I returned to cutting at the rope, but my movements were less methodical and more robotic as I grew tired.

It looked like midday, but I wasn’t sure if that was a whole day that had passed by, or perhaps more than that. Either way, Bruce hadn’t been back and I felt oddly less comfortable with that knowledge. I didn’t know how secluded we were, so there was a possibility that just anybody could walk in with even worse intentions. without the threat of prying eyes.

My arms were growing sore from cutting, but I was prepared to push through it before the doors of the shed suddenly slid open. I jerked away from the shovel and maneuvered the chair so that I was facing Bruce as he walked in.

Of course, he wasn’t dumb enough to ignore the fact that I’d traveled across the room. He narrowed his eyes as he walked forward, a large bag dangling in his hands.

“Up to no good?” He dropped the bag at my feet and hovered over me, observing my ropes. He kissed his teeth and grumbled, “As I thought.”

I was prepared to give him a lousy

bag caught my attention. I stretched my neck, attempting to get a glance at whatever was inside. Noticing my curiosity, Bruce laughed and picked it back up.

attention. I stretch cuse, but the savory aroma drifting from the

“You must be hungry,” he said, his voice oozing with satisfaction. He kneeled down beside me and started pulling out the contents of the bag, which were just a box. and some utensils.

When he popped open the box, my mouth watered at the sight of waffles and eggs with a side of sausage links. He took the bundle of utensils and began sawing into the sausage.

“Bruce, please,” I said hoarsely, my throat crying for water.

He simply shrugged and stove a slice into his mouth, chewing painfully slow. It seemed that a whole hour passed as he went through the breakfast, sampling each. side with intrigue, as if acquiring a new taste. All the while, my stomach roared and grumbled, calling for its own fill despite the cheap looking food.

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Eventually, he finished it off with a loud burp that he blew in my direction. Then, with a smile, he tossed the utensils into the box and shoved it all to the side.

“Delicious!” he cheered, beaming at me. “But I know you can do better. Remember those breakfasts you used to make, Coco?”

I watched him, quietly taking him in. Those breakfasts were more so for my father and 1, especially as he got leaner over time. Getting the proper sustenance every day was a priority that he gave up on entirely.

“I hope you enjoyed the meal,” Bruce taunted, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Maybe you should have brought a snack?”

His words only served to deepen my resolve to escape. I had to keep him in at relatively good mood, which I was used to.

“So, what’s your grand plan, Bruce?” I asked weakly. “Why go through all this trouble?”

Bruce hummed as he picked at his teeth with his pinkie nail. He spit out whatever residue had been lingering. “Simple. I’m going to get my share of the money you won in court.”

into one of the burns it had left on my wrist while I was cutting it. Bruce was quick to

1. in.

child. “I must say, you’re not as resourceful as I

resisted the urge to snap back at him. Playing along, at least for the

him.

gain any advantage or at least for the

comfortable,” I said. “It’s not

so hard to act tough, Coco.

at the mention of my late father, who Bruce seemed determined to

knew him,” I said, my anger flaring. “He had his own demons,

Chapter 45

care of them in unfortunate

yes. Your dear old dad. Such a shame he couldn’t take care of his little

keeping my next words from slipping out. He was just trying to provoke me, to break my spirit, but I refused

Bruce continued, his voice dripping with venom. “Weak,

words stung, and I felt that familiar wave of self–doubt wash over me. He noted. my hesitation and

Evie,” Bruce sneered. “You know you’re just fooling yourself. No one cares. about you. Not even the sad men that want

were all meant to prod at me, but they had broken through my resolve so easily. Only from

looking satisfied that he’d drawn out my tears. “I called lover boy, and he said

in

kicking the bag of food off to the side. Then

sat in the dimly lit shed. Every second felt like an eternity, and my heart pounded loudly in my ears.

the walls of the shed. “Evie! Evie, are you

me, knowing

I started to call his name before receiving a harsh slap

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Chapter 43

me, a knife gleaming in his hand. Before I could scream, he

on the knife tightening.

tone urgent. “Evie, where are you?

the noise

to ruin this for me, Evie,” Bruce whispered, his face inches from

scream, but the

door and flattening. him against the wall beside it. Abruptly, the shed door

on me. He was drenched from head to toe

and relief washed over Timothy’s features as he saw me bound and gagged. Without hesitation, he rushed towards me, but

dangerously in the dim light. “One step closer, and I

in his tracks. His gaze locked