The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 70

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As I walked through my apartment door, I found Aria sitting on the couch, her brows furrowed in concern.

“Where have you been?” she asked worriedly, already rushing toward me.

I sighed, dropping my bag by the door. “Aria, you don’t have to always ask that.”

She shook her head. “Yes, I do. Especially after what happened with Bruce. I need to know you’re safe!”

I looked away, memories of that terrifying night flashing before my eyes. Bruce’s menacing presence, the cold fear gripping my heart, and the overwhelming sense. of vulnerability. Twice, I’ve been found, battered and helpless at the hands of

Bruce.

“I can’t get that image of you out of my mind,” she whispered, her voice cracking. She had her hands on my shoulders, her face twisted in pain. “I don’t know what I’d do.”

“I’m sorry, Aria,” I murmured, my voice heavy with regret. “I know you worry about me, but I can’t live my life in fear.”

She sighed, her expression softening. “I know, Evie. But you have to understand that I care about you. We’re family. And after everything that’s happened, I just can’t help it.”

I was taken aback by the depth of her concern. While I had been trying my best to move forward and put the past behind me, I hadn’t realized just how much my experiences had affected Aria as well.

“Aria, I appreciate your concern, but I promise I’m okay,” I assured her.

She shook her head, a tear escaping down her cheek. “It’s just that… I’ve seen you go through so much. And you’ve been getting so much attention lately that it’s been making me even more uneasy.”

My heart clenched at the sight of Aria’s tears. She had always been a pillar of strength, the calm in the storm, and to see her so vulnerable shook me to my core.

I stepped closer to her and gently wiped away her tear. “Aria, I had no idea you were feeling this way. I’m so sorry.”

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Chapter 70

She offered me a small smile, her vulnerability making her even more endearing. “Evie, you’re my best friend. Of course, I’m going to worry about you. I can’t help it.”

arms around her in a comforting embrace, feeling the weight of her worry dissipate into the air.

tightly, her grip almost desperate. “Please,

careful.”

Aria,”

eyes locking onto mine. “And you promise you won’t

support. “I promise, Aria. No more keeping secrets.

easing. Thank you, Evie.

a hair behind her ear. “I

a moment before she finally nodded. “So,

I plopped down beside her and pulled my knees to my chest. Aria’s

couch, closing my eyes briefly. “Today was… eventful, to say the

brow quirked

trip to the café restroom. Aria’s eyes widened, a mixture of shock and anger

small smile tugging at my lips. “Yeah, it was

replacing her anger. “Are you

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Chapter 70

was a testament to the depth of our friendship. “I’m okay, Aria. It’s just been a lot to

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promise me that you’ll stay in contact more often. With the paparazzi getting more aggressive, I

Aria,” I stated. “I’ll make an effort to keep you

a smile, her relief evident. “So, you spent the day with Timothy? Just the two of

spread through me. “Yeah, it

let out a playful groan, nudging my arm. “Evie, you’re totally falling for

onto my cheeks.

raised an eyebrow skeptically. “Uh–huh, friends who go on totally–non- romantic Walks together and

arguing with Aria was futile. “Okay, fine. Maybe there’s a connection there, but it’s

Well, I think

my head.

thoughtful, and she rubbed her chin. “You know, maybe I should get to know Timothy

an eyebrow. “And how do you propose to do

“You could invite me along on

not a bad

to her old cheery self in a flash.

from the couch and started