The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 182
021% # 113:33
I woke up to the gentle aroma of sizzling bacon wafting through the air,
accompanied by the sound of laughter and soft chatter. The morning sun was
gentle as it stretched across my face. I stretched and yawned, feeling content
with the new day.
“Evie!” Aria’s voice called out as I entered the kitchen. My heart skipped a beat at
the sight of her. She was standing there in her pajamas, flipping pancakes with a
sense of grace and expertise that made it look like she had been a chef in a past
life.
“Morning, sunshine,” she greeted me with a smile, a strand of hair escaping her
loose bun.
“Wow, you're quite the cook,” I marveled, walking over to her, careful not to
disrupt the wild pancake flipping she had going
She laughed. “Well, I have an audience to impress. They're playing around in the
living room.”
1. on.
She gestured to the girls, who were playing with Olive’s new toys in the living
room, their giggles and laughter making the morning even brighter. Once the
food was ready, Aria and I served it to the kids, and they devoured it with the
enthusiasm only kids could muster. As they finished. leaned over to me and said,
“I can take the girls home after breakfast.”
up, Aria
The apartment really was so quiet sometimes.
“Oh, thank you...” I hadn't even thought of that, having already grown
accustomed to them being there. “Also, I heard Olive talking to the other girls
about her mom,” Aria added then in a whisper, and that made my ears twitch in
alert.
Emergency calls only
Chapter 182
I turned to look at Olive, who was deep in conversation with Lily, her eyes
dancing with excitement and determination.
#021% 13 33
The morning continued to pass with laughter and love as we cleaned up, and
Aria prepared the girls as they were ready to head home. I stood at the entrance
to the kitchen, watching as they gathered their things and exchanged hugs and
goodbyes with Olive. The house was gradually emptying, returning to its quiet
state, and the familiar sense of emptiness tugged at my heart..
Aria approached me, her eyes filled with warmth and concern. “You two gonna be
okay while I'm gone?”
I smiled at her. “Yeah. We should be fine.”
She nodded, her eyes darting to Olive. T'll be back as soon as I can.”
Once Aria left, I turned my attention to Olive. She sat in the living room, a
thoughtful expression on her face. She was growing up so quickly it seemed, and
I'd only known her for a short while.
I joined her on the couch, my arm wrapping around her shoulders. “How are you
holding up, hon?”
She looked at me, her eyes searching my face. “I'm okay, Evie. But there's
something I need to do.”
1 raised an eyebrow. “And what's that?”
She huffed, her gaze unwavering. “I want to visit my mom today”
I took a deep breath, the knot of anxiety in my stomach tightening. “Of course,
you can. We can go right now if
you want?”
Emergency calls only O
Chapter 182
Olive's expression was resolute, her eyes filled with determination. “Yes, please.”
I leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “I'm proud of you, Olive.
You're stronger than you know.”
*D20% 13:34
The drive to the hospital was filled with tension. Olive sat in the back seat, her
anxiety almost mingling with my own. I couldn't blame her for feeling on edge; the
last time she'd been to the hospital, it had been to see her mother, and the
memories of that visit were undoubtedly haunting her.
I tried to keep my focus on the road, my grip on the steering wheel tight. We were
a silent duo, our minds preoccupied with the weight of the possibilities ahead.
As we pulled into the hospital parking lot, I couldn't help but feel my breath
growing more labored by the second. Scarlett had been through so much, and
the incident would leave both her and Olive emotionally scarred. I had to hold
myself together for their sake, though I was constantly coming
undone.
The hospital's sterile halls felt both familiar and foreign as Olive and I made our
way to the front desk. The hum of fluorescent lights overhead, the soft whispers
of nurses and patients, and the scent of antiseptic filled the air.
Olives grip on my hand was strong, her fingers intertwined with mine as if
seeking reassurance. I offered her a reassuring smile.
“Hi, I'm here to see Scarlett Fitzgerald,” I said to the nurse behind the desk, trying
to keep my voice steady. “Can you tell me her room number?” The nurse glanced
at her computer screen, her fingers typing away. “Sure, let me check. Are you
family?”
gency calls only
Chapter 182
*D20% 13:34
I hesitated. “I'm a friend,” I finally replied, not wanting the situation.
too
The nurse nodded and provided me with Scarlett’s room number. “Room 305,
just down the hall on your right.”
Olive and I thanked the nurse and made our way to the designated room. As we
approached, a sense of unease settled over me. I could feel Olives
apprehension, and my own anxiety intensified.
The hospital corridor seemed to stretch infinitely as we approached Scarlett's
room, each step weighed down by the anticipation of what lay ahead. I was
caught in a whirlwind of emotions, my heart pounding in my chest, anger and
concern bubbling beneath the surface. Olive trailed behind me, her expression
blank.
The door to Scarlett’s room was slightly ajar, and I could see someone standing
just outside.
It was Stella.
Stella turned to fare us, her eyes widening in surprise as she saw Olive and me
approaching. Her face contorted with repulsion at my presence.
“What are you doing here?” Stella's voice, laced with thinly veiled hostility, cut
through the air like a sharp blade. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, met mine,
daring me to challenge her presence.
I squeezed Olive’s hand, guiding her to continue walking past Stella. “We're here
to see Scarlett,” I replied calmly.
Stella's gaze shifted and her eyes narrowed as she spotted Olive beside me.
“What are you doing with my niece?” she asked, her tone laced with. suspicion.
Emergency calls only
Chapter 182
“Evie’s taking care of me,” Olive replied, her voice steady despite the tension in
the air. “While Mommy's sick.”
#0 20% 13:34 [00200
Stella hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering between us. “I'm her aunt. Why
would Scar let you take care of her?” Stella replied, her tone guarded.
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The atmosphere crackled with
unspoken words, and I could feel the
tension escalating AY MsthERs!
sgregmiedd @ Me'to protect Olive, to
shield her from whatever storm Stella
might bring. I turned to Olive, my
voice low and urgent. The content is
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“Olive. I think it might be best if we leave. Maybe another time?”
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Before Olive could respond. Stella
interjected, her voice surprisingly
u )
calm. “There's no need for hay, Evie. I
disperse arate drdsr against
yu I' blinked, taken aback by her
“ "
statement. “What? Why?" The
question escaped my lips before I
could stop it, a mix of surprise and
suspicion coloring my words. The
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the latest chapter there!
Stella's gaze softened, if only for a moment. “At Timothy's request. He thought it
was best to let bygones be bygones, for now.”
Before I could respond, the door to Scarlett’s room swung open, and a doctor
stepped out. His expression was neutral, giving away nothing of
Scarlett's condition.
Ms. Fitzgerald is stable now. You can go in and speak with her if you'd like?"
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Relief washed over me, momentarily
eclipsing the anger and frustration. I
exchanged a quick glaie @ifh Stella
ie
befare doing back to the doctor.
u« ” :
Thank you.” I murmured, my voice
tight with apprehension as I guided
Olive inside the room. The content is
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chapter there!