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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Chapter 165

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.”

paused, her gaze turning to me with curiosity. “Hope? What do

I began slowly, “I went through some difficult times. I felt like there was no one there to

she absorbed my words.

smiled gratefully. “Thank

continued to prepare 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. It was

my lips, “the last time I was invited to dinner with

lid on the pot, letting the food simmer. “Oh, wow!

in her laughter. “Believe me, it

grin. “So, were you and Timothy always close before Stella squeezed her way in between you

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

guess we did become good friends while we worked together on the case. Stella didn’t cause

but she

and she leaned closer, her

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Chapter 165

wanting to avoid revealing the truth about 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

see. So, you’re sure that

embarrassment, and I stammered, “N–no, of course not. Timothy and I were just friends. Nothing

laughed softly, her amusement evident. “Evie, I can tell from the way you talk about him and the way you look at each other that there’s more to this story than you’re letting

under Scarlett’s probing gaze. She had a way of seeing through the walls I had built. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, fumbling for a response. “I

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

two people are close, there’s a lot they don’t say. Sometimes, it’s what’s

feet pattering on the floor interrupted. our conversation. A young girl with a cascade of curly brown hair, practically a miniature