The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 62

With Aria’s support, I embarked on a mission to uncover Linda’s sinister background. Armed with determination and fueled by a desire to clear Timothy’s name, we delved deeper into Linda’s past, leaving no stone unturned.

Days blurred together as we scoured social media platforms, online forums, and news articles for any shred of information that could unveil Linda’s background. We sat huddled together on the couch, our laptop screens illuminating our faces. We stumbled upon platforms where Linda’s obsession with Timothy was laid bare, manifested through fan edits, heart–studded posts, and a virtual shrine dedicated to the man who had captured her infatuated heart.

“It’s like she’s been weaving this twisted narrative in her head for years,” Aria murmured, a tinge of unease in her voice.

I huffed. “She is obsessed with him.”

We continued to scroll, our eyes scanning post after post that showcased Linda’s unsettling fixation. Timothy’s face adorned every corner of her digital realm, a stark reminder of the lengths she had gone to maintain her illusion.

The day turned to dusk, the amber glow of the setting sun casting a warm hue across the room. With every revelation, I felt more and more repulsed by this woman. Linda was not just a simple pet–sitter.

“Evie, look at this!” Aria exclaimed, pointing at her laptop screen.

My eyes darted to the screen, where an article headline caught my attention: “Timothy Hayes: From Hockey Star to Family Man?”

My heart pounded as I read the article, a growing sense of unease settling in the pit of my stomach. The paparazzi interview had Linda at the center, her face splashed across the screen as she spoke in a tone that was equal parts saccharine and calculated.

“Timothy and I were always thinking of having kids,” Linda went on, flipping her hair. “We figured now, with the legal stuff out of the way, we could finally settle down and produce the fruits of our love.”

I nearly gagged at that last line.

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“I can’t believe my ears, Aria grumbled, turning away. “As if he’d throw his career away over her.”

As the interview continued, Linda’s words became more fantastical. She spoke of shared dreams and whispered promises, alluding to a future that would never exist. My mind reeled, struggling to comprehend the audacity of her self- deception.

away with this,” Aria declared, her eyes blazing with determination. “Have you already spoken

to the forefront of my mind. He hadn’t appreciated what I had done with Linda, although my intentions

I told him about the dinner

table. “Oh. Why did you go to that dinner, Evie? She

gathered my thoughts. “I know. I just…

powerful. It’s only natural that it would affect

but looking back, I should have seen through her act,” I admitted.

me and pulled me into a hug. “Don’t be too hard on yourself, Evie. And I’m sure Timothy

and narrowed my eyes. “What makes you

gave me a wink. “Because he’s your biggest fan,” she

a similar sentiment at that dinner after the trial, when he gave me the most heartfelt speech I had ever heard. Was he really

shifted to the window, where the fading sunlight bathed

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Chapter 62

couldn’t change the past, but I could play a role

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right,” I replied, my determination rekindling. “I’ll try talking

arm gently. “That’s

stood before Timothy’s apartment door, my heart fluttering with a mixture of nerves and anticipation. My knuckles

blame him if he didn’t, especially if he thought I was in cahoots with

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before me. His expression was a blend of surprise and relief, a flicker of something familiar in his eyes. Before he could

sorry about everything,” I began, my words spilling forth with a raw honesty. “I know I should’ve been more

gaze softened as he listened, a weight seeming to lift from his shoulders. “Evie, hold

a fast release. Fortunately, he had

than to jump to conclusions. I know you wouldn’t sabotage

of my lips, a glimmer of understanding passing between us. “Let’s

spreading through the air

seemed to ebb away. It was a tentative step toward mending the rift between us–a

continued, rubbing his chin. “Why