The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 180

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When Timothy and I returned to the party, Aria greeted us with a smile as bright as the candles she was about to light. “The girls are ready to cut the cake!” she announced, her excitement more pronounced now that she was comfortable.

Timothy looked at me and whispered, “I think I’d better head out,” then made his way over to Duke. The dog looked burnt out, like the girls did a number on him. Timothy grabbed his leash and practically had to coax him to move from his place of comfort.

Timothy then walked over to Olive and knelt down to her level, wishing her a heartfelt, “Happy birthday, sweetheart,” before embracing her tightly. “Goodnight!” Olive told him. “Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”

“I’ll keep an eye out for ‘em.” As he pulled away from the hug, I noticed his gaze linger on me. It was an intense, lingering look, filled with a depth of emotion that I couldn’t quite place. My heart raced as our eyes locked for a moment, and then he turned and headed for the door.

“Night, Aria. Night, Evie.” He smiled at me as he passed the threshold and shut the door behind him. For some reason, I felt more affronted by the

gesture.

I couldn’t deny the way his gaze had affected me. It was a mixture of curiosity and frustration, leaving me torn between wanting to know what he was thinking and being furious with him for what he had done. I had no intention of letting him off the hook easily. There was unfinished business between us, and that gaze had only added to the growing pile of questions in my mind.

Once Timothy had disappeared from sight, I turned my attention back to Aria, who was now ready to light the candles on Olive’s cake. The girls fell

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silent as the flames flickered to life, casting a warm, golden glow on Olive’s delighted face. We all sang a heartfelt rendition of “Happy Birthday.” and Olive beamed as she made a wish before blowing out the candles.

As the

party continued, Olive began opening her birthday presents, a chorus of excitement accompanying each unwrapping.

last friend’s gift, Olive turned to me, her

an amazing birthday!”

I reached into my bag and pulled out the wrapped gift.

Olive the gift bag, her eyes widening with curiosity. She eagerly tore open the wrapping, revealing the toys inside. Olive’s face lit up with. delight, and she hugged the action figure to her chest, a wide smile on her

Olive exclaimed, her

returned her hug, feeling a sense of happiness. “You’re welcome, Olive. I’m

on something that I hadn’t expected. I leaned down to Olive’s

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Chapter 180

the best thing that ever happened to her. He

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mix of emotions as I listened to Olive’s innocent perspective. Even

dive into that conversation. Instead, I gave her a soft

The intricacies of family dynamics and the

from the day’s festivities, set about the task of getting the

the girls were finally asleep. Aria and I retreated to the living room, where the warm glow

seven kids in one apartment would be a handful, but that was another level,” Aria said, and she shot me

scoffed. “I didn’t say that at all. I just said I’d take care of the big stuff, though

rolled her eyes, though they held a hint of humor. “Man, it’s been so long since I’ve even seen a big birthday like that.

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Chapter 180

with a cheating boyfriend and a

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with her, but it didn’t seem possible to share my own birthday anecdotes. “That’s awful. I guess I’ve never really had

me with concern, her eyes filled with empathy. “No

my past resurfacing. “I could never really get one, though I did

troubled. She didn’t need to indulge in more of my life