The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 155

I had hoped that the chaos in my life would somehow subside, but the next morning, I was met with yet another unsettling surprise. As I retrieved the mail from my mailbox, a white envelope with an official–looking seal caught my eye. I tore it open, my heart pounding with a mix of curiosity and dread.

Inside, I found a legal document–a protective order. My eyes widened as I read the words on the page, bile rose up my throat and I had to shove away the urge to vomit. The order stated that I was prohibited from approaching Stella within a certain distance.

I was being labeled as an “aggravated stalker.”

I clenched my fists, a mixture of disbelief and anger coursing through me. How had it come to this? Stella had taken this step to further distance herself from me for something I had no hand in doing!

I picked up my phone and dialed Scarlett’s number, hoping to find answers. After a few rings, she picked up.

“Your sister sent a protection order, Scarlett!” I practically spat the words out. “Did you know about this?”

There was a pause on the other end of the line before Scarlett’s voice came

through, apologetic and concerned. “Oh, Evie, I didn’t know she was going to take it this far. I’m so sorry!”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging within me. “Why is she doing this, Scarlett? I never posed a threat to her or her family.”

Scarlett sighed. “She sees you as a threat now, which could work in our favor depending on how we move from here.”

I couldn’t help but scoff at the absurdity of it all. “A threat? I’ve never wanted anything but the truth to come out. She’s the one who’s been deceitful from the start!”

Scarlett’s voice softened. “I know, Evie. But right now, we need to be careful. The last thing we want is for things to escalate even further.”

I knew she was right, but the injustice of it all left a bitter taste in my mouth. “What

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should I do, Scarlett?”

“I’ll talk to her,” she replied. “Maybe convince her to reconsider.”

I nodded, though I doubted Scarlett’s influence over Stella at this point. “Alright. Let me know if there’s any update.”

I paced back and forth in my apartment, the weight of the

protective order from Stella heavy on my mind. I needed someone to talk to, someone who would listen without judgment. Aria was the first person who came to mind, but I quickly remembered our recent fight, and the thought of reaching out to her felt like stepping into a lion’s den.

Instead, I grabbed my phone and dialed Lucas’s number. I know he’d been a bit busy lately, but hopefully he’d lighten up at the sound of my voice. As the phone rang, my anxiety grew, but when he finally answered, his voice was warm and welcoming.

“Evie? Hey, hon, how have you been?”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. “Lucas, I… I need to talk to someone. Something’s happened, and I don’t know what to do.”

my voice. “I

blurting out the news. “Stella got a protective order against me, Lucas. She’s

was a stunned silence on the other end of the line. Then Lucas spoke, his voice laced with disbelief. “What? That’s… that’s insane,

accusation even come from?”

how Stella had taken this. drastic step to

he said firmly. “We need

battle would only escalate the situation further. “I don’t want to

sighed, understanding my hesitation. “Okay, I get it.

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hang out, have a few drinks, and take your mind off of all this

good, Lucas. I could

apartment, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief knowing that

apartment, he greeted me with a warm hug and a sympathetic smile. His place was cozy, filled with the familiar scent of scented candles and soft

settled on his couch, each of us with a glass of wine in hand. The atmosphere was comforting, and I finally felt like I could

back and looked at me with concern. “I don’t get how you don’t look old and decrepit right now. It feels like you’ve

my frustration. “I never wanted any of this, Lucas. All I wanted was to be a voice for others, but it feels like. my voice is

understanding. “I’m sorry, sweety. Maybe

forward from here. Everything’s

on my shoulder. “We’ll figure this out, Evie. You’re not alone in this. We’ll find a way to clear your

a small smile. “Thank you, Lucas. I don’t know what

Lucas leaned forward, his brown eyes filled with excitement. “How about we plan a day trip? A little change of scenery might

from the constant reminders of all the chaos in my life sounded like a dream. But then, my mind started to wander, and I

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Chapter 155

small smile crept across my face as I fantasized about being pampered, lounging by a pool, and forgetting about all the troubles that had plagued me. “Actually, a

grinned. “I like the sound of that.

faltered as reality hit me. “Lucas, I appreciate the offer, but I can’t afford

his eyes. “Evie, this weekend is on me. Consider it a gift, a chance to relax and recharge. You’ve been through so much, and you deserve

hesitated, my pride making it difficult for me to accept such a generous offer. Plus, there was the looming issue of my strained relationship with Aria. “I don’t know, Lucas.

not imposing, Evie. I want to do this for you. You’ve been a great friend to me, and I hate seeing you like this. Besides, I already have the perfect

willingness to help were like a lifeline in

then. We’ll plan a weekend getaway, and you can invite Aria

Aria. Our fight had been brutal, and I wasn’t sure if she was ready to patch things up.

leaned back, considering

best guess,” I said with an attempt at humor, though it

poking me in the ribs. “Is

Timothy’s fiancé,” I began bitterly. “She’s been having secret rendezvous with

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He turned to look at

as proof, and after finding them. Aria told