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.”

as the rope cut into one of the burns it had left on my wrist while I

1. in.

a petulant child. “I must say, you’re

resisted the urge to snap back at him. Playing

him.

gain any advantage

“It’s not every day I find myself in this

always did try so hard to act tough, Coco. Too

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

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

Chapter 45

of them in

narrowing. “Ah, yes. Your dear old dad. Such a shame he couldn’t

out. He was just trying to provoke me,

dripping with

stung, and I felt that familiar wave of self–doubt

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

as fresh tears threatened to spill. His words were all meant to prod at me, but they had broken through my resolve so easily. Only from Lucas and Aria did I ever hear an “I love you” said genuinely, but that doubt in

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

in

made 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.

shed. Every second felt like an eternity, and my heart pounded loudly in my ears. I

voice called out her name from beyond the walls

me, knowing that

to call his name before receiving a harsh slap to the side of my head. I turned to glare at

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Chapter 43

in his hand. Before I could scream, he pulled out some duct tape and pressed a piece of it against

the hell up.” Bruce hissed, his grip on the knife tightening. “Don’t make a

grew closer, his tone urgent. “Evie, where are

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

Bruce whispered, his face inches from mine.

effort, I tried to scream, but the duct tape stifled her

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

the dim interior of the shed, hist gaze finally landing on me. He was drenched from head

Timothy’s features as he saw me bound and gagged. Without hesitation, he rushed towards me, but Bruce sprang into action, brandishing the

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

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