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.”

curiosity piqued. “What do you

is all about image and reputation, right? She thinks

“What did you do?”

raised an eyebrow, a glint of

newfound determination bubbling within me. “I might have slipped some incriminating photos in Timothy’s

a step

could interject. “I sent him an email this morning telling him all that

on how he reacts.”

H

the blush on her

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She shook her head, as if to clear her mind. “Okay, this is fine. We just need. to move

me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

no harm in sharing it. “Sure, let me grab it

I couldn’t help but feel

in

her eyes narrowing as she read the contents.

coloring my voice. “Stella knows how

lengthy document. After absorbing the infuriating terms, Scarlett leaned back, her expression

difficult having debates with her if

her flip through the documents and toss them lazily onto the couch. For a moment, her

on her infidelity, who knows how either of them will react? Do you think

the wall. “It

he hasn’t.”

ago, so maybe

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

her words, and a chill ran down my spine. The

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Chapter 161

can’t be serious,” I hissed, my voice laced with disbelief. “That could make things worse! She doesn’t even want me

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

my eyes. “Besides file

sure he doesn’t know about. Those two aren’t all that close,” Scarlett assured

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

closer, her voice a whispered. entreaty. “Evie, you have to think about what’s best for you in the long run. Stella

had a point; Stella had

let Stella win. You’re strong, and you’ve faced worse. I know that Timothy is on your side, so he’s also your best chance at navigating all