The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 177

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Back in the apartment, the air seemed lighter after my conversation with Timothy. I couldn’t help but smile as I saw Olive as she bounced her legs on the couch. Once she spotted me, she sat up and ran to my side.

“I can’t believe Uncle Timothy lives right next to you!” she said, her excitement evident.

I suppose they’d never had the chance to be properly introduced until now. Regardless, she seemed to have instantly taken a liking to him. “Can I see him again?” she asked innocently..

I hesitated for a moment, struggling to find the right words. “Another time,” I replied gently, not wanting to delve into the complexities of Timothy and. I’s situation.

Olive’s gaze returned to the window, her mind seemingly racing with questions. It was a weekday, and the persistent ticking of the antique wall clock reminded me of her obligations.

“Shouldn’t you be in school?” I inquired.

“I’ve always been homeschooled,” Olive admitted. “I do have homework to do later.”

Homeschooled. I considered the implications of that as I glanced around the apartment. A flicker of sympathy welled up within me, because I was hardly as good of a distraction for her as her potential peers could’ve been.

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I rose from the couch, moved toward the television set, and switched it on. The screen flickered to life and I began flipping through channels until a children’s program came on the screen. As I walked off, my mind began to wander to a time when my own life had been marked by the absence of a

mother.

Mia, my mother, had left when I was just ten years old. Her departure coincided with my father’s growing dependence on alcohol, and I still remembered the tears in her eyes as she reminisced about the life she could have had if I had never been born. Her words had etched themselves into my memory, carving out a deep wound that never truly healed.

Scarlett was not the type of mother to abandon her child. Her departure was the kind that only happened through

the jarring ring of my phone. Glancing at the caller ID, my heart clenched with a mixture of dread and anticipation. It was Timothy.

Timothy’s voice crackled on the other end. “The hospital just called. Scarlett still hasn’t woken up. They say there’s a chance,

as I listened to the uncertainty in his voice. That could’ve meant a lot

my shirt and peered down to

up?” she asked, peering up at me

cupped a hand over the phone to muffle Timothy’s voice.

“Talk to you

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doctors are doing everything they can,” I told her gently, wishing I could

far exceeded her years. She brushed a lock of her

of her birthday tugged at my heartstrings. “When is your birthday,

tomorrow,” she replied, her voice soft and uncertain. “But I’ve never

me, reminding me of the countless birthdays and milestones that had been tainted or even missed altogether. My thoughts. wandered to the things I had missed out on, the moments my own mother had never been there to

deep breath, determined to be there for Olive in a way my mother hadn’t been for me. “We’ll celebrate your birthday, Olive,” I said with conviction. “We’ll make it special, and then

eyes, and a smile graced her lips. “Can I invite my friends over for a sleepover?” she

excitement.

party filled me with a mix of anxiety and nostalgia. I’d never been particularly good with kids, and my life had revolved around work and

I agreed with

enthusiasm would mask my apprehension. “We’ll plan the best

Emergency calls only

Chapter 177

arms enveloped me in a tight hug. I couldn’t help but smile

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day gathering supplies for her upcoming birthday sleepover, filling the small living space with balloons, streamers, and the unmistakable excitement of an impending celebration. As I hurriedly arranged a stack of colorful party hats, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction and even

I put the finishing touches on the decorations, the front door swung open and Aria entered. Her movements were sluggish as she threw her keys on

I greeted her

chirped after me, waving her tissue paper