The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 197

091%

12:38

I lacked the urge to get out of bed that Monday morning, still exhausted from Timothy and I’s trip to the beach. I had been restless the whole night because of it.

Something was different. I could feel it in the air.

My phone buzzed, and the notification read: “Meeting in 40 minutes – Scarlett.” I exhaled slowly and rose from my bed, straightening my night gown. I had almost forgotten about the dispute with everything that had happened, but perhaps this meeting would mark the end of it all.

Otherwise, it would have to be taken into court.

I was just on time as I entered the grandiose conference room, my footsteps echoing in the cavernous space. Scarlett sat at the head of the long mahogany table, her meticulously coiffed auburn hair a gleaming beacon of power. Stella, in her characteristic all–red attire, seemed even more enigmatic than ever. Her lawyer, a middle- aged man with a polished veneer of sophistication, stood by her side, clutching a stack of documents.

Stella’s piercing eyes locked onto mine, and I could see a mixture of anger, defiance, and desperation in her gaze. I knew we were on the edge of something dreadful.

“Evie,” Stella began, her voice laced with bitterness. “Scarlett and I have come to an agreement.”

I nodded, urging her to continue, though a feeling of dread pooled in my stomach.

“I want nothing to do with the estate,” Stella declared, her tone unwavering. “Considering the lengths that you and my so–called sister have gone to for it, I figured it was no longer worth the risk.”

Scarlett’s eyes darted between Stella and me, her perfect mask of indifference slipping for just a moment. I knew that she hadn’t expected this turn of events. I had seen the conversations and scheming between the sisters unfold, but Stella’s sudden abandonment of the estate was a twist I hadn’t foreseen.

Stella’s lawyer handed me a document, which I skimmed through, It was an official document, relinquishing Stella’s claim to the vast family estate. This was the first of many dominos to fall, I was sure.

I glanced at Scarlett, who had yet to utter a word. Her face remained an enigma, but there was a certain tension. in her shoulders that belied her true emotions.

1/4

© X

091% 12:38

Chapter 197

away from everything, Stella,” Scarlett finally spoke, her voice tinged

had no warmth in it. “Oh, Scarlett, don’t pretend you care about my reputation. We

at heart,” Scarlett insisted, her voice growing colder.

gaze hardened. “You can drop the act, Scarlett. You

between

facade began to unravel. She clenched her fists, her eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and frustration. “Stella, I may have been irrational, but I never wanted to destroy you. I never wanted things to reach this point. Can’t we just go back to how things were? We’re all

Stella’s expression remained unyielding. “Scarlett, your words mean nothing to me now.

please find a way to resolve this

turned to me, their eyes heavy with emotions. I could see the turmoil etched in Scarlett’s

voice of reason here,” Scarlett said, her tone softening. “We don’t have to let it come to this. We

silent, her gaze locked onto mine. I could see the doubt and the flicker of hope

willing to make amends. We can find a way to rebuild what’s been

think a mediated settlement could be the best course of action. It’s clear that both parties have grievances, and it would be in everyone’s best

2/4

Emergency calls onlyML

Chapter 197

091%

12:38

+5

to Scarlett, who held her breath, waiting for her sister’s response. The room seemed to hold its breath with them, the fate of

sigh. “I have no grievances. I reserve those for strangers, and

her jaw and looked prepared to fight that notion, but

cold and distant.

meticulously prepared, outlining the terms of their settlement.

a sense of despair. Oddly enough, I had hoped that the sisters would find a way to reconcile, to salvage some semblance of their fractured relationship. But it was becoming increasingly clear that they

lawyer leaned in to offer guidance, explaining the details and implications of the agreement.

role to ensure the legality of this pivotal moment. It pained me to see the sisters part on such bitter terms, but it had

of emotion. Scarlett, with a curt nod, gathered her belongings and rose from her

me. The door closed behind them, leaving me alone with Scarlett. She

“Thank you, Evie.