The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 189
I spent the day walking with Olive around the city. I figured she'd enjoy seeing
some sights after being cooped up in our little apartment most days. It was
nothing like the spacious home and large, open backyard she had with her mom.
I also longed for a few moments of peace, and feeding bread to the ducks with
her seemed to accomplish exactly that. After a quick meal and another long walk,
we returned home with her ready to retreat to my room for a nap.
As I sank into the worn—out sofa, half-asleep, I picked up the remote control and
turned on the television as some background noise.
The news anchor’s voice filled the room, and my attention was instantly drawn to
the screen. The headline flashed in bold letters: “Affair Scandal Rocks Prominent
Family”
I squinted at the television, my heart—-pounding with trepidation. Stella's face
appeared on the screen. She was seated in an elegant living room, her tearful
eyes staring directly into the camera.
“What on earth?” I muttered to myself, my heart racing. I had no idea what could
have brought Stella into the spotlight.
The news anchor began to narrate the story. Apparently, an anonymous source
had leaked scandalous photos and information about an alleged affair involving
Stella, a prominent political figure, and a prominent businessperson. I watched in
shock as the photos emerged on the screen, depicting Stella in intimate
situations with none other than Andy Hayes
As the images unfolded, my 1
raced to the thumb drive I had retrieved from Andy's office. Those photos didn’t
match the ones on the screen at
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Chapter 189
all, though I'd made my own share of threats. Either way, it was perplexing.
*020% LJ 13:35
Evidently, Stella's PR team had gone into damage control mode. They issued a
statement, denying the authenticity of the photos and calling them “baseless
fabrications.” The lawyer in me couldn't help but analyze the situation.
The power of denial and deflection was a powerful tactic, especially when
someone’s reputation was at stake. But the photos seemed so real, and the
media's response was mixed. Some outlets were skeptical, while others chose to
give Stella the benefit of the doubt.
I watched in awe as Stella, looking disheveled and emotionally distraught,
appeared on the screen. Her voice trembled as she spoke to the media.
“I can't believe someone would do this to our family,” she sobbed, dabbing her
eyes with a tissue. “Timothy and I were just on the brink of a new beginning, a
fresh start, and now someone is purposefully trying to tarnish our reputation
before we can even begin.”
Her words were delivered with such raw emotion that it was hard not to feel
sympathy for her if you didn’t know the truth. Stella was just as much of an
actress as she was a model, and she knew how to work the media. Her heartfelt
plea tugged at the heartstrings of the public, and many people began to question
the authenticity of the affair scandal.
But I couldn't shake the unease that had settled in the pit of my stomach. I knew
the truth about the thumb drive, and I had seen the evidence. How had the
photos of Stella ended up there, and who was behind this leak?
The news anchor continued to narrate the story, emphasizing Stella's emotional
state and her plea for understanding in the face of the scandal. The cameras
panned over a sea of reporters, each eager to ask their own questions.
To everyone's shock, a lone reporter broke the scripted narrative. He asked a
question that cut through the carefully constructed image of Stella
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Chapter 189
Fitzgerald.
10020%
20% #13:39
“Ms. Fitzgerald,” the reporter inquired, “is it not a strange coincidence that this
affair scandal has come to light so soon after the passing of your fiancé’s
mother? Could you clarify the timeline for us?”
The room fell silent as Stella stared at the reporter, her face contorted in shock.
My own heart skipped a beat as his words started to sink in.
Could
you please repeat that question?” Stella's voice trembled as she spoke, and she
appeared just as confused.
The reporter obliged, and his words hung heavy in the air. “Is it not a strange
coincidence that this affair scandal has come to light so soon after the death of
Mrs. Hayes? Her death was declared this morning, and now that this has spilled
out, it wouldn't look to good on your part.”
Stella hesitated, her composure faltering. The reporter had cast a shadow of
doubt over the situation, and the media room buzzed with whispers and
speculation.
I tore my eyes away from the screen, my heart racing. I needed answers.
Without thinking, I rushed to the door and dashed down the hall to Timothy's
apartment. Panic set in, and I knocked incessantly, calling his name. “Timothy!
Timothy, are you there?” I yelled, my voice frantic.
But there was no response. The apartment remained silent, the shades drawn,
and no sign of life behind the door.
I stepped back, my mind racing with worry. I couldn’t help but wonder if Timothy
was aware of the news, and if he was okay. My concern grew with
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Chapter 189
each passing second.
020% 13:35
Desperation pushed me to call Timothy, and my fingers shook as I dialed his
number. The phone rang several times, but it eventually went to
voicemail.
“Timothy, I began, my voice wavering with concern. “It's Evie. I just saw the news,
and I'm so sorry about your mother. Please, call me when you get this. I'm here
for you.”
I ended the call, my heart heavy with worry, and immediately dialed Penny.
Maybe she had some insight into the situation.
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Penny answered after a few rings, her
: : Gai o
voice laden with sadness. “Evie, I just
) 5
heard about Mrs. Hayes. It's terrible,
’ 5 So 5
and I can't believe this is happening.
1 : O
I know,’ I replieg, mi folee choked
- N OI,
with emotion. “But have you spoken
> ) :
to Timothy? I've been trying to reach
. ) : »
him, and he's not answering.” There
was a pause on the other end of the
line, and I could sense the concern in
) : “« P
Penny's voice. “No, I haven't heard
. y , yen
from him either. But I'm sure he’s just
: : )
overwhelmed right now. Evie, he'll
) ”
reach out when he's ready.” The
content is on Novelxo.org! Read
the latest chapter there!
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
I knew Penny was trying to comfort
) -
me, but I couldn't shake the feeling
that something Span
ne ofitalNivas foo intense, and
3 . :
the connection between Mrs. Hayes
passing, the affair scandal, and
5 ) :
Timothy's unresponsiveness gnawed
at my mind. The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
I thanked Penny for her support and
hung up, feeling a sense of om
helplessness wash ivedme: There
Washo I could do but wait and
hope that Timothy would reach out
when he was ready. The content is
on Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
I walked back to my apartment and plopped back down on the couch. I just
couldn't sit idly by. I needed to keep myself occupied, though I wasn’t sure
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Chapter 189
with what.
*20%
20% 13:35
I glanced over at the clock on the wall, and sighed. It was still fairly early for
dinner. Still, I needed to do something with my hands. Anything.
After mustering up the strength, I got up to prepare some dinner. Hopefully, Aria
would be home to push away the silence soon. Until then, all I could
do was wait.
I just hoped Timothy was okay.
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