The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 163

As I sat across from Scarlett in the dimly lit corner booth of a cozy downtown restaurant, I couldn’t help but feel a storm of emotions brewing within me. She had called me earlier that day, asking if I could meet her and Timothy to discuss things over dinner. I agreed, though the thought of meeting Timothy face to face made my stomach churn with unease.

As I fiddled nervously with the menu in my hands, I couldn’t help but wonder if

right, but the anxiety he’d seen the email yet. It would look odd if I asked him out was eating away at me.

Scarlett, on the other hand, was a master at composure. She had been freaking out back at my apartment, but here she was looking straight–laced as usual. She was determined to stay one step ahead, even after what I had done.

I looked across the table at Scarlett, her hair illuminated by the soft candlelight. She was sipping on a glass of red wine, her eyes fixed on the entrance. My heart pounded in my chest, and I took a deep breath to steady my nerves.

“Scarlett, are you sure this is a good idea?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

She turned her gaze toward me, her expression sympathetic. “Evie, trust me. I wouldn’t have suggested it if I didn’t think it could help. Besides, he needs to know that you’re on his side too.

I sighed, my anxiety still gnawing at me. “I just don’t know, Scarlett.”

Before she could respond, the restaurant’s door swung open, and in walked Timothy.

He looked different from the last time I had seen him. His messy brown hair had been cut shorter, and he the scruffy beard that he’d been growing was cleanly shaved off. He wore a worn leather jacket and had a slight hesitation in his step as he scanned the room, searching for us.

Scarlett waved him over, and as he approached our table, my heart rate skyrocketed. Timothy’s eyes met mine, and I could see a mixture of emotions flicker across his face–surprise, uncertainty, and perhaps even affection.

“Hi, Scarlett,” he said briskly, then looked to me on the other side of the booth. Our eyes locked, and for a moment, I felt like time had stopped. The tension was

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palpable as he took the seat beside me.

“Hey, Evie,” he said, his voice soft and sincere, “it’s good to see you again. How have you been?”

I tried to muster a smile, the corners of my lips twitching awkwardly. “I’ve been… okay. How about you?”

He let out a sigh, though his lips curled with a smile. “I’ve been hanging in there.”

The tension I had expected was nowhere to be found in his demeanor. Either he hadn’t seen the

banana nut, so I figured I could

it was good,” I said, trying to keep my tone even.

amusement, and he nodded appreciatively. “Good to

shift the conversation, interjected, “Well, now that we’ve broken the ice, I think

inclined his head. “Of course, Scarlett. What do

you need

Stella. You might be able to handle the estate

me. “I appreciate your confidence in me, but I don’t have the authority to make decisions. for Stella. I’m her fiancé, not her husband. Any

was a glimmer of possibility in what he had just said the notion that Stella could

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Chapter 163

you talk to Stella? Convince her to give you the authorization to make decisions for her in

furrowed his brow, clearly weighing the implications of my suggestion. “It’s not something I can just ask

lip, desperation clawing at my chest. “Don’t look at it as you taking something away from her. You would simply persuade her into granting you temporary authority over certain decisions, just so she won’t have to

worrying about legal matters means more time worrying about the wedding. And it makes you look like a responsible man by

hung heavy in the air as Timothy considered our proposal. Scarlett watched us both intently, her eyes flicking between our faces.

Timothy let out a sigh. “I’ll talk to her. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try my best to persuade

and I managed a grateful smile. “Thank you, Timothy. Your willingness to help means the

hope this can be the turning point we’ve been looking for. If anyone can bridge this

to dissipate, replaced by a more comfortable atmosphere. Timothy leaned back in his chair, his expression relaxing.

grateful for the change of subject. “Yes, let’s. I could use some

and we perused the menu, discussing our choices as if we were old friends catching up. The calming atmosphere of the restaurant and Timothy’s warmth beside me brought back

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food to arrive, Scarlett shared stories of her recent ventures in marketing. Timothy and I didn’t have too many lighthearted stories to tell, so we listened closely and occasionally chuckled at her stories. For a brief moment, it felt like we were

been looking more worn out with each week, but just an hour of laughter and food seemed to bring that

said absently, my gaze

eyes. “Well, you still manage to brighten my