The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 169

I sat alone at the corner table of the cozy coffee shop, nursing my cooling cappuccino and trying to drown out the world with the soothing hum of conversation and the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans. It was my temporary refuge from the storm that had recently swept through my life.

My phone buzzed, shattering the peaceful ambiance. Penny’s name flashed on the screen, and I hesitated before answering. The last thing I wanted was to discuss my latest misadventures, but I couldn’t ignore her call.

“Hey, Evie,” Penny’s voice was gentle, filled with concern. “Have you heard anything from Timothy about that email yet?”

I sighed, running a hand through my tangled hair. “Not a word,” I replied, frustration lacing my voice. Though I’m not sure I would be the first person he’d run to should he come across the email any time soon. Stella and Andy were the main points of interest, after all.

“He mentioned he had a ton of fan mail to sort through,” I added, hopefully casing her distress, as I heard her sigh over the phone. “So who know when he’ll be able to actually read the email.”

Penny’s reassuring tone came through the phone. “Hang in there, Evie. You did nothing wrong. This whole thing is just a mess, but we’ll figure it out.”

I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “Thanks, Penny. I’ll update you if anything happens.”

Just as Penny was about to say something more, there was a new disruption. The coffee shop’s door swung open, and a tall, lean figure walked in. Jasper, the very person who had helped force me into this mess, strolled in without a care in the world.

I watched as he approached the counter, seemingly unaware of my presence, and ordered a coffee. I nearly shook with repulsion, watching as he flirted with the barista with that supposed charm and charisma that all my old coworkers boasted

about.

Those qualities had never fooled me. Underneath that polished exterior was a calculating opportunist who had used my work and his family name to boost his career. And now, the same scheming nature that had propelled him upwards was

O

Chapter 169

him a free

his drink, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He picked it up and answered

of the line. His voice carried across the café,

anger as he paced back and forth near the counter. “You were

hot seat, and I was relishing every moment of it. The man who had used my hard work to his advantage was

out between clenched teeth, spit flying from his mouth.

been reduced to a screaming man–child, red–faced and stomping about without any concern on how he appeared. Other patrons were beginning to talk,

growled. “Maybe tell your kids that because of their

call with a dramatic tap on the phone screen. He turned to survey the coffee shop, his eyes scanning the room until they landed. on me. His

“If it isn’t the prodigal ex- employee

to be intimidated by him any longer. I met his gaze with a cool, determined look of my own. “Just enjoying

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face flushed with anger. “You have no idea what’s going on in my life right now,” he spat out, his voice dripping with

have a pretty good idea,” I replied, my tone laced with sarcasm. “It seems like you’ve run into a bit of trouble at work, now that

and looked around, like I’d spoken those words just a bit too loudly. “Oh, please. I was just helping you get your practice in. I could’ve

do,” I stated. “You sleep, and your paid help does all

voice a dangerous whisper. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? You always were a bitter, jealous little thing before I exposed your opportunistic

anger that had been simmering inside me for far too long boiled over. I stood up abruptly, knocking my chair back with a loud scrape against the floor. The other patrons turned their attention toward us, curious about the

I’m looking