The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 223

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11:25

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“Stella?” The name escaped my lips in disbelief as I registered the familiar face standing before me, her expression seemingly pleasant.

Her smile widened, displaying perfect teeth. “Surprised, Evie?”

My mind raced, attempting to process the sudden appearance of my coworker outside the office premises. Stella was friendly, but she seldom ventured outside the professional realm during work hours. Her sudden

appearance in the middle of the street felt odd, almost surreal.

“Stella, what are you doing here?” I stammered, trying to compose myself.

“I just happened to be in the neighborhood,” she replied casually, though her eyes flickered with an intensity that unnerved me.

I glanced around, noticing the passersby, but the street seemed oddly deserted. Unease settled in the pit of my stomach. “I need to get back to work,” I said, taking a step backward.

“Evie,” Stella’s voice was gen

which somehow increased my unease. “It’s a little late to be working. I guess that promotion really set you up for some busy hours, huh?”

I blinked rapidly. I didn’t think she’d be paying that much attention to any news surrounding my name. I’d already taken a piece of property from her as well as her ex–fiancé. I figured just seeing my face would disgust

her, but she looked serene in the moment.

“You heard about that,” I murmured, adjusting my purse over my shoulder.

She smirked. “Who hasn’t? I suppose you’ve had enough practice by now. Good for you.”

“Thank you?” I managed, my voice caught between astonishment and caution. I didn’t mean for it to sound like a question. “I hope things are going well for you, Stella.”

in her eyebrow as she looked away. “Well enough. Of course, there’s no wedding to prepare for now, and the thousands of

waved it off. “Money

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Chapter 223

either.”

a surprise. Oddly, her demure appearance and manner of speaking were causing me more unrest. Seeing her so calm

hands into her coat pocket and looking around. “I… I wanted to apologize also. For everything I’ve

lip, taking in her earnest expression. “O–Oh. Well, apology accepted,” I murmured, glancing back. The office building was just a couple

she moved closer. “Wait, Evie. Please. I know things have been awful between us, but I’d like to move past all

away: “I promise you it’s fine, Stella. Trust me when

expression at those words. By then, I’d already decided that it was time to take my leave. As I turned away, however, I felt her hand grip my

coming up beside me. “I have a lot

a beat at the thought of him. Stella and Timothy had a history, a complicated one. How could I explain his

my words carefully, “I’m just getting picked up soon and don’t want to. keep

“It’s dangerous out there alone, especially while you’re waiting. Why don’t you

took me by surprise. Stella Fitzgerald, once the epitome of ruthless power, was now extending an olive

I replied, my voice faltering slightly. “I’ll be

a glint of determination sparking within them. “Evie, please. You don’t have

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Chapter 223

me on this. It’s

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hard, my mind racing. Stella’s concern felt genuine, yet I couldn’t shake off the apprehension. Being trapped in a vehicle with her

her eyes scanning the street outside. She gestured to the limo pulling up to the curb. The windows were too tinted for me to see the driver. “At least until he gets here. When he’s here, you

sincerity in her eyes, and right then I knew she’d figured out who I was waiting for. There wasn’t any malice in her

he door open

towards the sleek, black limousine parked nearby.

a strange comfort. The door clicked shut behind me, enclosing us in a cocoon

rigid yet poised. “I must say, Evie, you look like you could use a drink,”

voice smooth and