The Hockey Star’s Remorse

apter 162

TIMOTHY POV

Timothy had been enjoying a rare moment of peace in his apartment, perched on the edge of his leather couch, as Duke chased the toy around. The evening sun cast a warm glow through the open window, and the soothing hum of the city outside served as a pleasant backdrop to his thoughts.

As Duke returned the stuffed toy to him, Timothy couldn’t help but talk to him, as he often did. “I hope Evie’s doing okay after all that crap with the dress.”

Duke cocked his head to the side, his eyes filled with curiosity, but he remained silent, as always, letting Timothy pour out his thoughts without judgment.

Timothy continued, his voice tinged with longing. “I wonder where she is, what she’s doing. Hopefully she liked the cake. I mean, she loves banana nut.”

The memories of her were a bittersweet ache in Timothy’s heart. He had hoped to get to know more about her as the days went on, but that seemed less and less. likely. It felt like having part of himself torn away, and he was left with a gaping. wound.

Duke let out an empathetic whine, nuzzling against Timothy’s leg, as if sensing hist inner turmoil. Timothy knelt down to stroke the dog’s fur, taking comfort in the simple, unconditional love that Duke offered.

“You’re a good listener, Duke,” Timothy murmured, his eyes scanning the walls, as if searching for answers in the generic black and white nature photos. Eventually, he shut his eyes and engaged in the momentary bliss..

This bliss, however, was short–lived.

With an abrupt swing, the front door burst open, revealing a whirlwind of fiery red hair and an exasperated expression. Stella stormed into the apartment as if she owned the place. She didn’t bother knocking; she never did.

“Timothy!” Stella barked, her emerald eyes ablaze with fury. “I need your help!”

Timothy raised an eyebrow as he watched Stella’s dramatic entrance, his peaceful bubble shattered into a million pieces. “What’s the problem, Stella?”

Ignoring his question, Stella strode over to him, her lips curled into a tight frown.

1/4

11:28 Mon, 25 Mar

Chapter 162

eager jaws and tossed it aside, causing the dog to

you to help me with the wedding invitations,” Stella declared, her tone brimming with

widened in disbelief. “Wedding

a withering look. “Uh, yeah. So

ruffling Duke’s fur. “You can invite

etched with irritation. “You have to invite people too, Tim. There’s a bride

a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “My dad and brother

count?”

seriously, Timothy! You can’t just half–ass this like

smirked. “Fine, I’ll take it

narrowed suspiciously.

couldn’t resist teasing

of red that matched her hair, and she practically spat out her words. “Don’t you dare mention that

enjoying her rage. “Oh, come on. I was just

him, her voice a dangerous hiss. “If you even think about inviting her, I will personally ensure that she moves

Stella’s anger. He had never seen her react this

2/4

A

Chapter 162

no idea what that woman put me through. The pain she caused me, the

threat made it seem like it held a lot of promise,

began cautiously, “is there something

her expression guarded. “I just… I had to do something to protect myself and the

at the implication in Stella’s tone. He leaned forward, his voice gentle but probing. “Stella, have you

her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and defiance. “I had to, Timothy. For my sake

considered the possibility of a confrontation between Stella

her gaze dropping once more. “I just told her that I was pregnant and that I wanted her to stay away from our lives. I filed

the wooden floor.

had to protect us, Timothy. She