The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 195

I watched raindrops trickle down the windowpane as I put the finishing touches on my black dress. I had switched from outfit to outfit, hoping that the next one would look more presentable than the last. Aria had been sitting on the edge of my bed, silently observing my preparations.

“So you’re really going,” she said, finally breaking the silence.

I paused, my reflection in the mirror staring back at me with vacant eyes. “I’m going,” I replied quietly.

Aria’s brow furrowed as she considered my response. “Do you think his family will be okay with you there?” Her question dripped with apprehension, although she tried to mask it.

I sighed, turning to face her. “I don’t know, Aria. But Timothy invited me personally, and I can’t refuse when he’s going through such a difficult time. We’re just friends, and friends are there for eachother, so they’ll have to deal

with it.”

“Evie, I just worry about you,” Aria admitted, her tension now giving way to a softer tone. “He’d better at least protect you from that crooked family of his. He’s practically throwing you to the wolves.”

I shook my head, though I understood her point. It was complicated in more ways than one. “I appreciate your concern, Aria, but this is important. He’d do the same for me.”

She sighed, her anger subsiding. “I guess you’re right. It’s just hard to see you so caught up in his problems sometimes. I hope he appreciates what he has in you.”

Aria’s words lingered in the air as I finished preparing. I’d put up with a lot from Timothy family, and Stella was a whole other matter. But I couldn’t help it.

I had to be there for him today, and no amount of anger or uncertainty could change that.

“I should be back by three,” I told Aria.

With a final glance at the mirror, I grabbed my coat and umbrella and left for the funeral home. The rain had not let up, and it seemed as if even the heavens were mourning the loss of Timothy’s mother.

When I arrived at the funeral home, there was already a hoard of people filing inside the tall, somber building. After parking, I grabbed my purse from the passenger seat and got out to follow the crowd.

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groups, whispering words of consolation:to one another. The scent of fresh flowers mixed with a pervasive feeling of melancholy. I searched the room for Timothy, and there he was, standing near

eyes met, I saw a flicker of gratitude in his gase. He approached me.

in the warmth of his presence “wouldn’t be anywhere else. Timothy.

something more beneath his gaze. But before! could decipher it, he led me to our seats, placing a hand gemmy on the small of my back. We walked in silence, and I couldn’t help but take notice of the various pairs of

with the sound of hymns and heartfelt ealogies. Timothy sat beside me, his hand occasionally brushing apainamine as if

in Timothy’s shoulders. He clenched and unclenched his fists, his face a mask

Timothy’s mothet watched as he stood and walked to the front of the room. He took a deep breath, his voice

sob. Once Timothy’s speech ended, he looked over at me. Our eyes met, and I gave him an encouraging smile. He didn’t need to say

by the time the funeral service concluded. As we

stealing glances in my direction, their hushed whispers carrying an obvious amount of judgment. It wasn’t the first time I had sensed their disapproval, but today

to my left, must have noticed my discomfort. After his friend, Ethan, came up and

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Chapter 195

right?”

+5

of hair behind my ears, shifting my gaze back to him. “I should be asking you that. Still hanging

his attention was immediately drawn elsewhere as he observed something behind me.

with thinly veiled condescension, “I

my surprise evident in my eyes. “Timothy called

nodded, his jaw clenched with anger. “Yes, Evie. I planned on making the announcement public