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.

me, her eyes shining with gratitude. “Thank you, Evie.

an amazing birthday!”

my heart swelling with affection. “You’re welcome, sweetie. But don’t thank me just yet.” I reached into my bag and pulled out the wrapped gift. “This

toys inside. Olive’s face lit

Olive exclaimed, her

of happiness. “You’re welcome, Olive. I’m

holding up the toy. “At least Uncle Timothy’s nice. Maybe him and Aunt Stella should get married after all.” My heart sank at her words. I glanced at Olive, unsure of how to respond. Her innocent remark had touched on something that I hadn’t expected. I leaned down to Olive’s level, my voice gentle. “Olive, what do you mean by that? Did someone say something to you?” Olive shrugged, her young mind not fully comprehending

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Chapter 180

ever happened to her. He

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as I listened to Olive’s innocent perspective. Even if Timothy kept Stella calm, he certainly couldn’t convince her to be loyal at

complexities of adult relationships, and it wasn’t the time or place to dive into

intricacies of family dynamics and the complexities of human relationships had taken center stage,

close, the apartment growing quiet. Aria and I, both worn out from the day’s festivities, set about the task of getting the girls to sleep. We shared stories and

girls were finally asleep. Aria and I retreated to the living room, where the warm glow of the table lamp cast soft shadows on the walls.

another level,” Aria said, and she shot me a glare. “And you abandoned me twice. by the way, Miss I’ll be by your

“I didn’t say that at all. I just said I’d take care of

held a hint of humor. “Man, it’s been so long since I’ve even

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Chapter 180

ended with a cheating boyfriend and a

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didn’t seem possible to share my own birthday anecdotes. “That’s awful. I guess I’ve never really had a birthday, per say, so it was hard to have a

with concern, her eyes filled with empathy. “No birthdays?

frustration and anger of my past resurfacing. “I could

creased with concern, and I started feeling troubled. She didn’t need to indulge in more of my life story, though I’ve told her