The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 114

We were in the midst of making dinner, our usual Friday ritual, but there was an uneasiness in the air that I couldn’t ignore. Aria, usually so chatty and animated in the kitchen, was unusually quiet, her eyes focused on chopping vegetables with a distant look in her eyes.

She’d been a little distant since last week. She’d avoid eye contact and even headed. to work earlier than usual. Her avoidance made me uneasy.

“Aria,” I said tentatively, “is something on your mind?”

Aria’s knife faltered for a moment before she resumed chopping, her shoulders tense. She seemed hesitant, as if she were debating whether to share her thoughts.

Finally, she let out a deep sigh and looked at me with a mixture of regret and guilt. “Don’t hate me.”

My heart sank. The serious tone in Aria’s voice was like a storm cloud on a previously sunny day. I put down my spatula and turned to face her.

“What happened?” I asked, raising an eyebrow in warning.

Aria met my gaze, her eyes filled with remorse. “I… I confronted Timothy.”

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Timothy’s name. Aria had promised not to interfere, to let me handle my own heartache. I had hoped that I could heal in my own time.

“Why would you do that, Aria?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly. “I told you I could handle it.”

Aria’s shoulders slumped, and she looked down at the vegetables, as if they held. the answers she needed. “I know.”

I let out a long sigh and set the spatula aside, watching as the beef sizzled in its pan. The grease around it bubbled and popped, with the occasional drop landing on my arm. Somehow, the sting of it didn’t make me shift. away.

“I just couldn’t stand seeing you in pain,” Aria continued. “I thought maybe I could make him see what he’s missing, but it was a mistake.”

I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Aria, despite my frustration. She

1/4

Need Top Metal Stamping? Get a 10% Discount (Start Now]

A

Chapter 114

concern for me, even if it had

hesitated before confessing, “I

and my dreams. The woman who had taken Timothy away, even though he had never been mine to begin

it was inconsequential. But inside, my heart was breaking all over again. “Perfect. I’m

anyone, and she could sense

hope, “maybe it’s time for you to move on as well. Get out there, meet

my head, the thought of moving on

raised an eyebrow, her concern wiping away any of the humor in her expression. “But it helped last time,

a look. “There’s something I need to tell

looked puzzled, her eyes

my eyes as I spoke. “I never

eyes widened and she began to stutter. “What do you mean,

barely above a whisper. “I lied, Aria. I made up the whole story about the one–night stand so you and Lucas would stop worrying

her voice filled with compassion. “Evie, why would you have to lie? We were just worried about

the embarrassment returned ten–fold. “But I thought it would work…until it didn’t,

2/4

Metal Stamping? Get

A

Chapter 114

a comforting hug, her arms wrapping around me like a shield. “Evie, you’re

her understanding and support. “I know, Aria.

pain in the world. “If you’re in pain, we’re going to take care of you

we sat on the couch, wrapped in each other’s arms, my tears grew heavy and I started to cry. Aria smoothed by hair down for a couple of minutes. After a while, she

can watch some dumb rom–coms, eat junk food, and just

managed a weak smile. “That sounds

transformed our living room into a cozy movie night haven, with blankets, pillows, and an array of snacks scattered across the coffee table.