The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 189

I spent the day walking with Olive around the city. I figured she’d enjoy seeing some sights after being cooped up in our little apartment most days. It was nothing like the spacious home and large, open backyard she had with her mom.

I also longed for a few moments of peace, and feeding bread to the ducks with her seemed to accomplish exactly that. After a quick meal and another long walk, we returned home with her ready to retreat to my room for a nap.

As I sank into the worn–out sofa, half–asleep, I picked up the remote control and turned on the television as some background noise.

The news anchor’s voice filled the room, and my attention was instantly drawn to the screen. The headline flashed in bold letters: “Affair Scandal Rocks Prominent Family”

I squinted at the television, my heart–pounding with trepidation. Stella’s face appeared on the screen. She was seated in an elegant living room, her tearful eyes staring directly into the camera.

“What on earth?” I muttered to myself, my heart racing. I had no idea what could have brought Stella into the spotlight.

The news anchor began to narrate the story. Apparently, an anonymous source had leaked scandalous photos and information about an alleged affair involving Stella, a prominent political figure, and a prominent businessperson. I watched in shock as the photos emerged on the screen, depicting Stella in intimate situations with none other than Andy Hayes

As the images unfolded, my 1

raced to the thumb drive I had retrieved from Andy’s office. Those photos didn’t match the ones on the screen at

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Chapter 189

all, though I’d made my own share of threats. Either way, it was perplexing.

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Evidently, Stella’s PR team had gone into damage control mode. They issued a statement, denying the authenticity of the photos and calling them “baseless fabrications.” The lawyer in me couldn’t help but analyze the situation.

The power of denial and deflection was a powerful tactic, especially when someone’s reputation was at stake. But the photos seemed so real, and the media’s response was mixed. Some outlets were skeptical, while others chose to give Stella the benefit of the doubt.

I watched in awe as Stella, looking disheveled and emotionally distraught, appeared on the screen. Her voice trembled as she spoke to the media.

do this to our family,” she sobbed, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. “Timothy and I were just on the brink of a new beginning, a fresh start, and now someone is purposefully trying to tarnish our

truth. Stella was just as much of an actress as she was a

the truth about the thumb drive, and I had seen the evidence. How had the photos of Stella ended up

for understanding in the face of the scandal. The cameras panned over a sea of reporters,

scripted narrative. He asked a question

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Chapter 189

Fitzgerald.

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the reporter inquired, “is it not a strange coincidence that this affair scandal has come to light so soon after the

face contorted in shock. My own heart skipped

Could

question?” Stella’s voice trembled as she spoke, and she appeared just as

reporter obliged, and his words hung heavy in the air. “Is it not a strange coincidence that this affair scandal has come to light so soon after the death of Mrs. Hayes? Her death was declared this morning, and now that this has spilled out, it wouldn’t look to good on your

shadow of doubt over the situation,

away from the screen, my heart racing. I

set in, and I

The apartment remained silent, the shades drawn,

if Timothy was aware of the news, and

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Chapter 189

each passing second.

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me to call Timothy, and my fingers shook as I dialed his number. The phone rang

voicemail.

I just saw the news, and I’m so sorry about your mother. Please, call me when