The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 165

As I sat at home, I found myself engrossed in a book, trying to lose myself in its pages and forget about the world around me.

My phone chimed, breaking the silence. I glanced at the screen to see a message from Scarlett saying that she wanted me to come over lunch as a thank you for my help on her case. It was an unexpected invitation, and part of me wanted to decline.

I was tired, emotionally drained, and the idea of socializing felt like a daunting. task. But another part of me, a sense of obligation and curiosity, urged me to go.

After a brief internal debate, I replied with a simple “Sure, I’ll be there,” and received an enthusiastic response from Scarlett. She provided her address and a time, and I reluctantly put my book aside to get ready.

As I parked my car in front of Scarlett’s quaint, cozy home, I took a deep breath to steady myself. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the neighborhood. I reached for the doorbell and rang it, my heart pounding in anticipation.

Moments later, Scarlett swung the door open with a bright smile. “Evie, so glad you could make it, she greeted, welcoming me inside with a warm hug.

I returned the embrace, surprised by the gesture. “Thank you for having me over.”

Scarlett’s home had a comfortable, lived–in feel to it, filled with an assortment of artwork and eclectic furnishings. It was more modest than the large estate she was fighting for, but it certainly screamed wealth. The aroma of something delicious wafted from the kitchen, making my mouth water.

As Scarlett busied herself in the kitchen, I sat in one of the seats at the dinner table. I watched as she expertly chopped vegetables and prepared the meal, the rhythmic clinking of knives against cutting boards the only sound in the room.

“So, Evie,” Scarlett began, her voice light and conversational, “tell me more about yourself. Why did you decide to become a lawyer?”

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, wondering how much of my past I wanted to

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reveal. “Well, it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I began cautiously. “I believe in fighting for justice and giving people hope.”

turning to me with curiosity. “Hope? What do you

I was young, I began slowly, “I went through some difficult times. I felt like there was no one there to help me, to give me hope that things could get

softened as she absorbed my words. “That’s noble of you, Evie,” she

smiled gratefully.

our meal, we fell into a more relaxed conversation. She shared stories from her childhood and talked about her own motivations for becoming a digital marketer.

at my lips, “the last time I was invited to dinner with someone, they turned out

burst into laughter as she plopped a lid on the pot, letting the food simmer. “Oh,

“Believe me, it

were you and Timothy always close before Stella squeezed her

smile falter, and a sense of unease settled in my stomach. The mention of Timothy and Stella brought back

light. “We knew each other, and I guess we did become good friends while we worked together on the case.

but she

of curiosity, and she

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Chapter 165

the depth of my feelings for Timothy. “It’s complicated,” I began, my voice trembling slightly. “Let’s just say that old wounds were reopened, and we

hint of mischief. “I see. So, you’re sure that

with embarrassment, and I stammered, “N–no, of course not. Timothy and I were

“Evie, I can tell from the way you talk about him and the way you look at each other that there’s more to

through the walls I had built. I shifted uncomfortably

tilted her head to one side. “You know,” she said, leaning

a lot they don’t say.

little feet pattering on the floor interrupted. our conversation. A young girl with a cascade of curly brown hair, practically a miniature version of Scarlett, came running out