The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 178

Olive’s birthday was already off to a chaotic start. I had spent the morning gathering the last–minute supplies and decorating the apartment, ensuring it was a magical setting for her sleepover celebration. As I walked up the stairs to our apartment, the scent of the freshly baked birthday cake wafting in the air, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation.

The apartment was already abuzz with the sound of children’s laughter, echoing through the hallway. Aria was inside, overseeing the activities.

I struggled to juggle the cake box and my bag of plastic utensils as I approached the door. With my free hand, I tried to turn the doorknob, but it refused to budge. Frustrated, I began to grumble and knock on the door..

Just as I was about to attempt a more vigorous push, the door suddenly swung open, taking me by surprise. I stumbled backward, almost dropping the cake, and was saved by a strong hand that reached out to steady me. Startled, I turned to find Timothy standing behind me.

He grinned, his eyes darting from me to the party supplies tightly clenched in my hands, “What’s the occasion?” he asked enthusiastically.

I blinked, momentarily lost for words, still processing the shock of seeing him. “Olive’s birthday,’ I replied, finally finding my voice. “We’re having a sleepover party for her.”

“Oh, nice!” Timothy leaned closer, a hand flying under the cake container before it could tip out of my hand. “Need some help?”

I hesitated for a moment, not wanting to trouble him. “Oh, that’s sweet of you, Timothy, but I think we’re all set. Thank you, though.”

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Chapter 178

He cracked a grin and began reaching over. “You look like you’re about to topple over. Here.”

Before I could respond, the door to the apartment creaked open wider, and Olive emerged, her bright eyes alight with excitement. “Uncle Timothy,

hil

“Hi, Olive!” he said with a smile. He swiftly took the cake out of my hands as she took his hand and dragged him inside. “Happy Birthday!”

I stood hopelessly by the door before shutting it behind me and following them inside. In the living room, Olive’s friends were playing a chaotic game of Twister. There was lots of shouting and movement, and Aria seemed just as overwhelmed as she helped turn the spinner.

Timothy set down the cake and gave me an apologetic smile. Olive was right beside him before he could rush away, clenching his arm with her tiny grip.

“My mom said you had a dog!” she exclaimed.

as he regarded her kindly, “I do

to the living room and her friends paused their game, gathering around him in

deity had descended upon them unexpectedly. I tried not to laugh as they began circling around him

his way.

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Chapter 178

dog too!” she added, then paused to look at Timothy. “You guys have

sent a ripple of excitement through the group of girls, and their chatter intensified. Timothy glanced at Aria and me,

girls. “Well, it’s up to Timothy, girls,” I

Timothy said encouragingly, and the girls squealed in response. “I’ll

request. When Timothy came back with Duke hooked to a leash. the girls couldn’t contain their joy as they rushed over to greet him. They knelt beside him, stroking his fur, and Duke responded with

best dog

Duke, I shared a knowing look with Timothy. There was something

yours is quite the charmer,” I said, watching the girls play with him in

scratching his head, “I didn’t get Olive a gift. Of course, it didn’t know she had

and mimicking his look of concern as a

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Chapter 178

had gotten everything but

leaned over and whispered. ‘I have to confess

to

Olive a birthday

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that won’t do. We can’t let her birthday go by without getting a present from

playing along. “It would be a major faux

a spark of determination in his eyes. “I’ll drive us both to the toy store. and we can pick out something

over me. “That sounds like a great plan,” I said, smiling at him. “Let’s do it. Olive

our plan, making sure she wouldn’t worry about our sudden disappearance. With her approval, Timothy and I slipped. away from the party, the distant sound of music and laughter

through the night, I couldn’t help but feel slightly tense. The atmosphere inside the car was filled with a comfortable silence

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and the soft hum of the engine was the only sound that permeated the air. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight

silence, “what you did back there for

turned my head to look at him, a slight smile on my lips. “It’s no big deal, Timothy. I mean, Olive is a sweet