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.”

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

1. in.

Bruce taunted, still seated beneath me like a petulant child. “I must say,

snap back at

him.

to gain any advantage or at least

myself more comfortable,” I said. “It’s not every day I find myself in this

always did try so hard to act tough, Coco. Too defiant, just like your

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

anger flaring. “He had his

Chapter 45

of them

recovered, his eyes narrowing. “Ah, yes. Your dear old dad. Such a

He was just trying to provoke me, to break my spirit, but I refused

you know,” Bruce continued, his voice dripping with venom.

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

No one cares. about you. Not even the

spill. His words were all meant to prod at me, but they had broken through my resolve so easily.

he’d drawn out my tears. “I called lover boy, and he

in

air quotes around that last part, but I could hear the tension in his voice. He stood up and dusted off his pants before kicking the bag of food off to the side. Then he walked around and placed his hands on my shoulders. his tight grip a warning on its

lit shed. Every second felt like an eternity, and my heart pounded loudly in my ears. I strained to listen for any sound

voice called out her name from beyond the walls of the shed.

flooded through me, knowing that Timothy

receiving a harsh slap to the side of my head.

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Chapter 43

Before I could scream, he pulled out some duct tape and pressed a piece

the knife tightening. “Don’t make

voice grew closer, his tone urgent. “Evie, where are you?

wooden walls, hoping he would hear the noise and realize I was inside. But Bruce’s iron grip kept me restrained,

this for me, Evie,” Bruce whispered, his face inches from mine.

tried to scream, but the duct tape stifled

instead rushing to the door and flattening. him against the wall beside it. Abruptly, the shed door squealed open,

hist gaze finally landing on me. He was drenched from head to toe in rain water, making his face and

and relief washed over Timothy’s features as he saw me bound and gagged. Without

gleaming dangerously in the dim light.

wisely stopped in his tracks. His gaze locked with mine, however, as Bruce