The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 178
Olive’s birthday was already off to a chaotic start. I had spent the morning
gathering the last-minute supplies and decorating the apartment, ensuring it was
a magical setting for her sleepover celebration. As I walked up the stairs to our
apartment, the scent of the freshly baked birthday cake wafting in the air, I
couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.
The apartment was already abuzz with the sound of children’s laughter, echoing
through the hallway. Aria was inside, overseeing the activities.
I struggled to juggle the cake box and my bag of plastic utensils as I approached
the door. With my free hand, I tried to turn the doorknob, but it refused to budge.
Frustrated, I began to grumble and knock on the door..
Just as I was about to attempt a more vigorous push, the door suddenly swung
open, taking me by surprise. I stumbled backward, almost dropping the cake, and
was saved by a strong hand that reached out to steady me. Startled, I turned to
find Timothy standing behind me.
He grinned, his eyes darting from me to the party supplies tightly clenched in my
hands, “What's the occasion?” he asked enthusiastically.
I blinked, momentarily lost for words, still processing the shock of seeing him.
“Olive’s birthday,’ I replied, finally finding my voice. “We're having a sleepover
party for her.”
“Oh, nice!” Timothy leaned closer, a hand flying under the cake container before
it could tip out of my hand. “Need some help?”
I hesitated for a moment, not wanting to trouble him. “Oh, that's sweet of you,
Timothy, but I think we're all set. Thank you, though.”
ooo
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Chapter 178
He cracked a grin and began reaching over. “You look like you're about to topple
over. Here.”
Before I could respond, the door to the apartment creaked open wider, and Olive
emerged, her bright eyes alight with excitement. “Uncle Timothy,
hil
“Hi, Olive!” he said with a smile. He swiftly took the cake out of my hands as she
took his hand and dragged him inside. “Happy Birthday!"
I stood hopelessly by the door before shutting it behind me and following them
inside. In the living room, Olive’s friends were playing a chaotic game of Twister.
There was lots of shouting and movement, and Aria seemed just as
overwhelmed as she helped turn the spinner.
Timothy set down the cake and gave me an apologetic smile. Olive was right
beside him before he could rush away, clenching his arm with her tiny grip.
“My mom said you had a dog!” she exclaimed.
Timothy's. eyes softened as he regarded her kindly, “I do have a dog,” he
confirmed. “His name's Duke!”
Olives delight was infectious. She tugged him over to the living room and her
friends paused their game, gathering around him in curiosity.. “This is Timothy!
He's a hockey star!” she told them.
The girl ogled him, as if a deity had descended upon them unexpectedly. I tried
not to laugh as they began circling around him and firing questions.
his way.
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Chapter 178
“He has a dog too!” she added, then paused to look at Timothy. “You guys have
to meet him!"
The mention of a dog sent a ripple of excitement through the group of girls, and
their chatter intensified. Timothy glanced at Aria and me, silently seeking our
approval.
I looked at the girls. “Well, it's up to Timothy, girls,” I said, trying to strike a
balance. “If he’s okay with it..."
“Duke would love the excitement,” Timothy said encouragingly, and the girls
squealed in response. “I'll go grab him real quick.”
Relief washed over me, silently thankful for his willingness to accommodate the
girls’ request. When Timothy came back with Duke hooked to a leash. the girls
couldn't contain their joy as they rushed over to greet him. They knelt beside him,
stroking his fur, and Duke responded with affectionate licks and playful jumps.
“He's the best dog ever!” Olive exclaimed.
As the girls played with Duke, I shared a knowing look with Timothy. There was
something enchanting about seeing the girls connect with the dog. and it warmed
my heart.
“That Duke of yours is quite the charmer,” I said, watching the girls play with him
in the yard.
Timothy chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Yeah, he has a way of
stealing the spotlight. Speaking of which,” he hesitated, scratching his head, “I
didn’t get Olive a gift. Of course, it didn’t know she had her birthday today, but it
feels weird being empty handed.”
I frowned, glancing over at him and mimicking his look of concern as a wave of
panic surged through me. How had I overlooked such an essential.
3.32
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Chapter 178
detail? I had gotten everything but her gift!
I leaned over and whispered. “I have to confess something.”
He tumed to me, snorted. “What?”
“I didn’t get Olive a birthday gift. I completely forgot somehow.”
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Timothy sighed dramatically. “Well, that won't do. We can't let her birthday go by
without getting a present from everyone, including us.”
“You're absolutely right,” I responded, playing along. “It would be a major faux
pas.”
Timothy held his chin and glanced around. “I have an idea,” he said suddenly, a
spark of determination in his eyes. “I'll drive us both to the toy store. and we can
pick out something perfect for Olive. Problem solved.”
I sighed, relief washing over me. “That sounds like a great plan,” I said, smiling at
him. “Let's do it. Olive deserves the best birthday gift!”
We quickly informed Aria of our plan, making sure she wouldn't worry about our
sudden disappearance. With her approval, Timothy and I slipped. away from the
party, the distant sound of music and laughter fading as we hurried towards
Timothy's car.
As Timothy's car glided through the night, I couldn't help but feel slightly tense.
The atmosphere inside the car was filled with a comfortable silence compared to
the wild energy of the apartment. However, sitting this close to Timothy was far
from the plan this evening.
Emergency calls only Chapter 178
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Timothy's hands gripped the steering wheel, and the soft hum of the engine was
the only sound that permeated the air. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of
the evening slowly settling in.
“You know, Evie,” Timothy said, breaking the silence, “what you did back there for
Olive and her mom, Scarlett, was a really good thing.”
I turned my head to look at him, a slight smile on my lips. “It's no big deal,
Timothy. I mean, Olive is a sweet kid, and Scarlett's become a good friend. 1 just
wanted to help out.”
Timothy glanced at me, his expression earnest. “Evie, don't sell yourself short.
You're always helping people, whether it's Olive and Scarlett or anyone else in
your life. You shouldn't be so modest about it,”
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, feeling a rush of warmth rise to my cheeks. “I
just do what feels right,” I replied.
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3 , 5 :
Timothy, however, wasn't having it.
He cast a pointed glance my way, his
voice tinged with rysication. Rik)
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itis moretkanIust “doing what feels
right. You make a real difference in
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people's lives. You're selfless, kind,
”
and always there for people.” The
content is on Novelxo.org! Read
the latest chapter there!
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
) .
I couldn't help but feel a mixture of
emotions swirling within me.
: )
Timothy's words struck a coe
within INZeh, wordSrld ow he
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cbuld be so open and honest. “Look,
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Timothy," I began. “I appreciate what
) . ) :
you're saying, but I'm not some saint.
I have my flaws and my own fair
share of mistakes. The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
Timothy sighed, the frustration in his eyes giving way to understanding. “I get
that. I'm not saying you're perfect. No one is. But what I am saying is that you
have a beautiful heart.”
I turned to face him, completely stunned now. His gaze didn’t wave when he
glanced over at me, his lips forming a smile..
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#021% #13:32
“Not everyone would do what you do, Evie,” he continued. “You have a special
gift for making people feel cared for, and that's not something I'll ever take
lightly.”
The weight of the conversation hung heavily in the car, and for a moment, I was
lost in my own thoughts. I knew Timothy meant well, but his words had touched
on something deeper, a discomfort I had carried with me for a long time.
Finally, I spoke, my voice softer, “I guess it's just hard for me to accept praise.
I've always been more comfortable giving than receiving, and sometimes it feels
like people expect more of me than I can give.”
Timothy nodded, a compassionate expression on his face. “I definitely
understand that, and you're allowed to set boundaries and take care of yourself
100, no matter what people expect from you.”
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I nodded in return, feeling a sense of
vulnerability that I rarely allowed
myself to SAperionag inathgssi Th
ho hd tolched on something I
had been avoiding for a long time the
need to find a balance between
giving and self-care. It was a lesson I
knew I needed to learn. The content
is on Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
“You know,” I began, glancing at him. My fingers playing with the loose string at
the end of my coat. “You would make a good self-help coach.”
He let out a burst of laughter. “Well, I owe my skills from all the team pep talks I
have to give.”
I laughed along, feeling slightly more at ease now. It was something he always
managed to do, case his way in. It was a vicious cycle. And I feared it would only
keep repeating.