The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 52

Her words caught me off guard, and I realized that there was more to Linda and Timothy’s relationship than I had initially thought. The shock of the revelation left me momentarily speechless.

“I–I didn’t know that Timothy was seeing someone,” I finally managed to say, my voice slightly shaky.

Linda looked a bit surprised at my response. “Oh, I’m sorry. We haven’t been together for very long, and we’ve been keeping it low–key.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m just surprised,” I replied, trying to compose myself.

Linda smiled warmly. “Thank you for understanding. People are usually territorial when it comes to Timothy.”

I shook my head, trying to dispel any misunderstandings as well as the shock that still lingered. “No, we’re just neighbors.”

Linda looked at me with a sympathetic smile. “Oh, good. We wanted to keep it private for a while. We met on a social networking site and have been seeing each other for a few months now.”

Hearing that they had been physically involved for months felt like a punch to the gut. A part of me felt envious of Linda, as much as that emotion stung. Another part of me also wondered how long Linda would last, considering Timothy’s track record.

I had always doubted that Timothy had truly changed from his player ways, but this was a shocking confirmation. Everything that had happened between us seemed like a foolish dream. One where he waxed about how sorry he was and how much he cared about me.

I had wanted to care too, but reality had its way of shattering expectations. If only I had kept my distance, the way I had planned to from the start. Yet I couldn’t get those striking eyes, the warmth of his touch, nor tenderness of his words out of my mind.

As we continued to talk, Linda expressed how much Timothy meant to her, and I couldn’t help but see the genuine affection in her eyes. It was clear that their connection ran deep, and that unsettled me. Still, Linda’s warmth and kindness.

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were undeniable, and I found myself opening up to her.

It felt strange discussing him with his current lover, but Linda was understanding and genuinely interested in knowing more about his past.

“So, you’re Timothy’s lawyer?” Linda asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

I am. It’s a long story, but we’ve known each other

to hear more. “High school? That’s

it as vague as possible. “Timothy and I were just classmates though.

gave me

I winced. “N–No. Homework.”

of our past, then

high school,” I continued, oddly feeling compelled to entice her more, “We went our separate ways, and I thought I would

my hand, offering silent support. “But fate. has a funny

faintly, acknowledging the irony of our paths crossing once more. “It does ndeed. It felt like the universe was playing

an eyebrow.

the room as if a sly explanation would jump ut of thin air. “He was

have seen a lot of changes in him,” Linda remarked, her

aine.

over me. “He has changed, no doubt about

placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Change takes time, and people an grow

Thu, 21

Chapter 32

friendship, right?”

deny the sincerity in her voice. “You’re right. He has been

a sweet woman, but I couldn’t shake the idea that Timothy had kept her on the back- burner while cuddling up to me. I wasn’t even

warmly, her eyes filled with affection. “Thank you, Evie. I feel lucky to have him in my life

steadily uncomfortable. Linda had her eyes trained on the glass in her hands, watching the water as it trembled under her clutch. Suddenly, she looked over at me

you come over for dinner at my

blinked rapidly, taken back

widened. “We can get to know each other a

in getting information about me, and I wouldn’t lie and say

love to join you for

elevator bell. Linda’s ears perked at the tell–tale slid of the doors

rest of her water before shoving the cup into my hands. She then took a pen out of her back

she was capping

later. It was so nice talking to you though, Evie!” she said quickly, swinging the

bid me farewell and left my apartment, a sense of