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

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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.”

to Timothy, our eyes locking in an unspoken understanding. “I hope she’s

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smiled and he reached out to place a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Evie, I know this

has been… overwhelming. I don’t know how to process everything that’s happened. I just hope Olive

her, Evie. I can see how much

a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. I had felt so alone, but knowing that he was

then, Aria emerged from her room, her curiosity piqued by the presence of Timothy and a child in the apartment. She looked from me to

going on, Evic?”

feeling the weight of the day’s events bearing down on me. “Aria, there was an incident today, and Olive

she immediately came over to us, her

briefly explained the shooting and how Olive’s mother had been taken to the hospital. Aria’s eyes filled with

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Chapter 175

she’ll be out of

eyes, then turned her attention to Olive, her features brightening immediately. “Have

shook her head.

left the hospital,” I

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

piped up, “Can we have

warmly at Olive. “Of course, sweetheart. Macaroni

bustled about in the kitchen, entertaining Olive as she did so,

to the door. “I don’t want to bother you guys for

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having my comfort snatched away from me, especially as I’d grown back into having his constant presence. After today in particular, I just

know,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. “You can stay a while. I, uh, we wouldn’t

the offer. Fortunately, he seemed to sense

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Chapter 175

he finally agreed. I’ll stay

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apartment felt lighter. Aria served us a simple but comforting meal of macaroni and cheese, and as we ate, we talked about less somber topics to ease the tension in the room. Olive, although still quiet, seemed to

few board games. As we worked in the kitchen,

let it be. The wounds were still

for staying over, Timothy. I can’t express how