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

1. in.

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

at him. Playing along, at least for the

him.

only chance to gain any advantage or

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

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

father, who Bruce seemed determined to bring

anger flaring.

Chapter 45

care of them in

a moment, but he quickly recovered, his eyes narrowing. “Ah, yes. Your dear old dad. Such a shame he couldn’t take care of his little girl

slipping out. He was just trying to

Bruce continued, his voice dripping with venom. “Weak, pathetic, a burden to everyone

self–doubt wash over me. He noted. my hesitation and

fooling yourself. No one cares. about you. Not

through my resolve so easily. Only from Lucas and Aria did I ever hear an

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

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

eternity, and my heart pounded

called out her name from beyond the walls of the shed. “Evie! Evie, are

through me, knowing that

his name before receiving a harsh slap to the side

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Chapter 43

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

his grip on the knife tightening. “Don’t make a sound, or

voice grew closer, his tone urgent. “Evie,

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

this for me, Evie,” Bruce whispered, his face inches from mine. “Don’t

last–ditch effort, I tried to scream, but

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

the shed, 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 hesitation, he rushed towards me, but Bruce sprang into action, brandishing

warned, the knife gleaming dangerously in the dim light. “One step closer,

he wisely stopped in his tracks. His gaze locked