The Hockey Star’s Remorse

hapter 161

The next morning arrived with a soft, golden glow seeping through the curtains, casting warm patches of light across my room. I stretched beneath the cozy embrace of my covers, momentarily forgetting the weight of the world outside my windows. Aria’s voice, gentle but anxious, broke through the haze of sleep.

“Evie, wake up,” she whispered, poking her head into my room.

I groaned and squinted at the clock on my nightstand, only to realize that it was far too early for anyone to be disturbing my peace. “Aria, it’s the weekend. Can’t I get. just a few more minutes of sleep?”

She hesitated, her gaze flicking nervously between the floor and the doorway. Something was off, and my drowsy mind was suddenly jolted into alertness. With a heavy sigh, I sat up and pushed my unruly hair out of my face. “Alright, alright. What’s going on?”

Aria bit her lower lip, a clear sign that she was about to deliver some unwelcome news. “There’s someone here to see you,” she replied hesitantly.

My curiosity mingled with annoyance as I swung my legs out of bed and reached for my robe. “Who is it? And why the hell are they here so early?”

She didn’t answer immediately, her gaze drifting away as if searching for the right. words.

I rushed out of my room, still blinking sleep from my eyes, as I followed her down. the hallway and into the living room. A sudden sense of déjà vu washed over me, and Aria’s nervousness did little to calm it.

There, perched casually on my living room couch, was Scarlett. My initial surprise quickly gave way to a faint relief..

surge of

“What are you doing here so early?” I spat, attempting to calm my rapidly beating heart.

Scarlett rose from her seat,/her eyes wide with concern. “Evie, are you okay? I haven’t heard from you since Stella filed that protective order.“”

Frustration welled up inside me as I clenched my fists. She was relentless, even when her sister was actively tearing down the foundation of my wellbeing.

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“Okay?” I scoffed, my voice laced with sarcasm. “Oh, I’m just dandy, Scarlett. Aside from your sister trying to ruin my life, of course.”

Scarlett’s brow furrowed with concern, but her eyes carried a glimmer of

suspicion. “You don’t think this is just another one of Stella’s tactics, do you? To halt our case against her?”

I bit my lip, the anger in my chest giving way to a gnawing uncertainty. Scarlett. had a point, and I couldn’t help but wonder if Stella had gone as far as to sabotage her own dress just to spite me. It was a diabolical move, even for Stella, but nothing was beneath her.

“You might be onto something,” I admitted through gritted teeth. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I’m stuck dealing with this mess.”

Scarlett’s gaze intensified, her eyes locking onto mine. “Evie, you know you don’t have to go through this alone, right?”

I sighed, my anger dissipating slightly. I wasn’t about to let my guard down so easily. Stella had taught me to trust no one, not even those I thought were friends.

“Don’t worry, Scarlett,” I replied, my tone more measured. “I can handle Stella in my own way. There are ways to deal with people like her that don’t involve going through the legal system.”

her curiosity

a moment. “Stella is all about image and reputation, right?

“What did you do?”

raised an eyebrow, a glint of intrigue in her eyes. “What

a newfound determination bubbling within me. “I might have slipped

step back, stunned.

before she could interject. “I sent him an email this morning telling him all that he needed to

on how he reacts.”

H

face, managing not to smear the blush on her cheeks. She began pacing the room, her high heels clicking against

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to clear her mind. “Okay, this is fine.

she stopped and walked toward me, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Can I

deciding that there was no harm

to Scarlett, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of vulnerability. Stella’s power was far–reaching, and I was putting my trust in

in

document, her eyes narrowing as she read the contents. “This

coloring my voice. “Stella

to huddle over the lengthy document. After absorbing the infuriating terms, Scarlett leaned back,

having debates with her if

watch her flip through the documents and toss

the beans on her

wall. “It

he hasn’t.”

ago, so maybe

to have to speak to Stella through Timothy from now on, Evie. The order doesn’t state that he can’t be

a chill ran down my spine. The mere thought of working alongside Timothy sent shivers

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disbelief. “That could make things worse! She doesn’t even want me to breathe the same air as him. And what if she

on my shoulder, her eyes unwavering. “Evie, hear me out. He has a

my eyes.

he doesn’t know about. Those two aren’t all that

head, unable to fathom what Scarlett was suggesting. “I can’t work with him, Scarlett. It’s out

her voice a whispered. entreaty. “Evie, you have to think about what’s best for you in the long run. Stella has painted you into a corner, and this might be the only

now battled with a growing sense of dread. Scarlett had a point; Stella had orchestrated this situation precisely to manipulate me. But relying on

Stella win. You’re strong, and you’ve faced worse. I know that Timothy is