The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 182

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I woke up to the gentle aroma of sizzling bacon wafting through the air, accompanied by the sound of laughter and soft chatter. The morning sun was gentle as it stretched across my face. I stretched and yawned, feeling content with the new day.

“Evie!” Aria’s voice called out as I entered the kitchen. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of her. She was standing there in her pajamas, flipping pancakes with a sense of grace and expertise that made it look like she had been a chef in a past life.

“Morning, sunshine,” she greeted me with a smile, a strand of hair escaping her loose bun.

“Wow, you’re quite the cook,” I marveled, walking over to her, careful not to disrupt the wild pancake flipping she had going

She laughed. “Well, I have an audience to impress. They’re playing around in the living room.”

1. on.

She gestured to the girls, who were playing with Olive’s new toys in the living room, their giggles and laughter making the morning even brighter. Once the food was ready, Aria and I served it to the kids, and they devoured it with the enthusiasm only kids could muster. As they finished. leaned over to me and said, “I can take the girls home after breakfast.”

up, Aria

The apartment really was so quiet sometimes.

“Oh, thank you…” I hadn’t even thought of that, having already grown accustomed to them being there. “Also, I heard Olive talking to the other girls about her mom,” Aria added then in a whisper, and that made my ears twitch in alert.

Emergency calls only

Chapter 182

I turned to look at Olive, who was deep in conversation with Lily, her eyes dancing with excitement and determination.

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The morning continued to pass with laughter and love as we cleaned up, and Aria prepared the girls as they were ready to head home. I stood at the entrance to the kitchen, watching as they gathered their things and exchanged hugs and goodbyes with Olive. The house was gradually emptying, returning to its quiet state, and the familiar sense of emptiness tugged at my heart..

Aria approached me, her eyes filled with warmth and concern. “You two gonna be okay while I’m gone?”

I smiled at her. “Yeah. We should be fine.”

T’ll be back as soon as I

on her face. She was growing up so quickly it seemed, and I’d only known her

joined her on the couch, my arm wrapping around her shoulders. “How are you

me, her eyes searching my face. “I’m okay,

an eyebrow. “And what’s

huffed, her gaze unwavering. “I want to visit my mom

anxiety in my stomach

you want?”

Emergency calls only O

Chapter 182

expression was resolute, her eyes filled with determination.

to her forehead. “I’m proud of you, Olive. You’re

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the hospital was filled with tension. Olive sat in the back seat, her anxiety almost mingling with my own. I couldn’t blame her for feeling on edge; the last time she’d been to the hospital, it had been to see her mother, and the memories of that visit

my focus on the road, my grip on the steering wheel tight. We were a silent duo, our

feel my breath growing more labored by the second. Scarlett had been through so much, and the incident would leave both her and Olive emotionally scarred. I had to hold myself together for their sake,

undone.

hospital’s sterile halls felt both familiar and foreign as Olive and I made our way to the front desk. The hum of fluorescent lights overhead, the soft whispers of nurses

intertwined with mine as if seeking reassurance. I

to keep my voice steady. “Can you tell me her room number?” The nurse glanced at her computer screen, her

gency calls only

Chapter 182

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“I’m a friend,” I

to o

nodded and provided me with Scarlett’s room number. “Room 305, just down

designated room. As we approached, a sense of unease

caught in a whirlwind of emotions,

slightly ajar, and I could

It was Stella.

saw Olive

the air like a sharp blade. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, met mine, daring me