The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 175

so much, and

Back at the apartment, I helped Olive get settled in, her small frame looking even smaller in this unfamiliar place. She had been through so I couldn’t imagine the trauma she must be carrying. As I made up a little nest for her in the living room for the time being, the weight of responsibility felt even greater.

“Welcome to my home, Olive,” I said, trying to sound as reassuring as possible. “Make yourself comfortable.”

Olive clutched her jacket to her chest. It might have been her only source of comfort in this strange place. Thank you.”

I managed a small smile. “You’re safe here, Olive. We’re going to take good care of you.”

Just as I was about to show Olive where she could sleep, a knock at the door startled me. I rushed to answer it and found Timothy standing there, his face etched with concern.

“Hi, Evie,” he began, and he took his eyes away from me for a moment to peer at Olive. “Is Olive okay?”

I nodded, relieved to see a familiar face. “She seems to be fine. I think she’s just overwhelmed by everything that happened.”

Timothy’s brows furrowed as he looked at Olive, who was sitting on the couch, still clutching her jacket. “I’m glad she’s with you. I can’t imagine what she’s feeling right now.”

I invited Timothy to sit on the worn–out couch. He settled in, and 1 perched on the armrest, the air filled with an unspoken concern that seemed to

Emergency calls only Chapter 175

hang between us.

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Just then. Olive seemed to snap out of her silence, her eyes wide with curiosity as she stared at Timothy. She studied him for a moment, her tiny brow furrowing in thought. “Are you going to help my mommy too?”

Timothy’s expression turned somber, and he crouched down to her level. “I’m going to do my best to help your mommy. Olive.”

Olive seemed to accept his words, and she gave him a small, hesitant smile. “Okay.”

As Timothy straightened up. I couldn’t help but appreciate the genuine concern in his eyes. “Thank you for coming, Timothy. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

He shrugged. “I said I’d check in on you two. It was a little later than expected, since I was trying to wait and see if I heard any news. Of course, Stella never came back around.”

I couldn’t help but wonder about Stella. Her absence from the situation felt odd, given that her own sister had been injured.

“So you haven’t heard anything from Stella since she left the hospital?” I asked, my voice tinged with concern.

He sighed and shook his head, the lines of worry deepening on his face. “No, Evie. It’s been radio silence. I’ve tried calling, but I can’t reach her. I’m starting to worry.”

Timothy, our eyes locking in

only

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a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Evie, I

how to process everything that’s happened. I just hope Olive is okay

a great thing by taking care of her, Evie. I can see

soothing balm to my frayed nerves. I had felt so alone, but

by the presence of Timothy and a child in the apartment. She

Evic?”

the day’s events bearing down on me. “Aria, there was an incident today,

over to us, her concern evident. “Is everyone

explained the shooting and how Olive’s mother had been taken to the hospital. Aria’s eyes filled with sympathy as she listened to the

Emergency calls only

Chapter 175

chimed in, “We don’t when she’ll be out of emergency surgery, or out of the hospital for

turned her attention to Olive, her features brightening immediately. “Have you eaten,

shook her

left the

“You must be starving! How about I make us some

piped up, “Can

warmly at Olive. “Of course,

about in the kitchen, entertaining Olive as she did so, Timothy turned to

should get going,” he said, motioning to the door. “I

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13:31

me, especially as I’d grown back into having

you know,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

the offer. Fortunately, he seemed to sense that I was still distressed

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Chapter 175

I’ll

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atmosphere in the apartment felt lighter. Aria served us a simple but comforting meal of macaroni and cheese, and as we ate, we talked about less somber

with a few board games. As we worked in the kitchen, I wondered if Stella’s affair was something Timothy would

still fresh, and it wasn’t

and smiled. “Thank you for staying over, Timothy.