The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 195
I watched raindrops trickle down the windowpane as I put the finishing touches
on my black dress. I had switched from outfit to outfit, hoping that the next one
would look more presentable than the last. Aria had been sitting on the edge of
my bed, silently observing my preparations.
“So you're really going,” she said, finally breaking the silence.
I paused, my reflection in the mirror staring back at me with vacant eyes. “I'm
going,” I replied quietly.
Avria's brow furrowed as she considered my response. “Do you think his family
will be okay with you there?” Her question dripped with apprehension, although
she tried to mask it.
I sighed, turning to face her. “I don’t know, Aria. But Timothy invited me
personally, and I can’t refuse when he’s going through such a difficult time. We're
just friends, and friends are there for eachother, so they'll have to deal
with it.”
“Evie, I just worry about you,” Aria admitted, her tension now giving way to a
softer tone. “He'd better at least protect you from that crooked family of his. He's
practically throwing you to the wolves.”
I shook my head, though I understood her point. It was complicated in more ways
than one. “I appreciate your concern, Aria, but this is important. He'd do the same
for me.”
She sighed, her anger subsiding. “I guess you're right. It's just hard to see you so
caught up in his problems sometimes. I hope he appreciates what he has in you.”
Avria's words lingered in the air as I finished preparing. I'd put up with a lot from
Timothy family, and Stella was a whole other matter. But I couldn't help it.
I had to be there for him today, and no amount of anger or uncertainty could
change that.
“I should be back by three,” I told Aria.
With a final glance at the mirror, I grabbed my coat and umbrella and left for the
funeral home. The rain had not let up, and it seemed as if even the heavens were
mourning the loss of Timothy's mother.
When I arrived at the funeral home, there was already a hoard of people filing
inside the tall, somber building. After parking, I grabbed my purse from the
passenger seat and got out to follow the crowd.
1/4
OX
091%
12:38
Chapter 195
Inside, the atmosphere was heavy with gret. People were huddled in groups,
whispering words of consolation:to one another. The scent of fresh flowers mixed
with a pervasive feeling of melancholy. I searched the room for Timothy, and
there he was, standing near the entrance
As our eyes met, I saw a flicker of gratitude in his gase. He approached me. his
lips curling into a faint, sad smile.. “Evie, thank you for coming,” he said softly.
Tembraced him, basking in the warmth of his presence “wouldn't be anywhere
else. Timothy. I'm here for you.” I assured him..
As I pulled away, his eyes bore into mine, and I sensed a flicker of something
more beneath his gaze. But before! could decipher it, he led me to our seats,
placing a hand gemmy on the small of my back. We walked in silence, and I
couldn't help but take notice of the various pairs of eyes trained on the two of us.
The room was slowly filling with mourners, and the service began with the sound
of hymns and heartfelt ealogies. Timothy sat beside me, his hand occasionally
brushing apainamine as if seeking solace in the physical connection.
As the priest delivered his sermon, I noticed a tension in Timothy's shoulders. He
clenched and unclenched his fists, his face a mask of dread. I took his hand and
gave it a light squeeze
When it was time for attendees to share their memories of Timothy's mothet
watched as he stood and walked to the front of the room. He took a deep breath,
his voice shaking as he recounted movies of his childhood, of moments with his
mother that would forever be etched in his mind.
The room fell silent, save for the occasional sniffle or stifled sob. Once Timothy's
speech ended, he looked over at me. Our eyes met, and I gave him an
encouraging smile. He didn’t need to say anything the look he gave me spoke
volumes
The rain had abated by the time the funeral service concluded. As we moved to
the reception area, the attention around us had grown more apparent.
I couldn't help but notice his family stealing glances in my direction, their hushed
whispers carrying an obvious amount of judgment. It wasn't the first time I had
sensed their disapproval, but today it seemed more pronounced, more overt
Timothy, standing to my left, must have noticed my discomfort. After his friend,
Ethan, came up and offered his condolences, Timothy turned to me and tapped
my elbow.
2/4
X
12:38
Chapter 195
“You doing all right?” he asked gently.
fib
I tucked a lock of hair behind my ears, shifting my gaze back to him. “I should be
asking you that. Still hanging on?”
He opened his mouth to respond, but his attention was immediately drawn
elsewhere as he observed something behind me. I turned to follow his gaze and
saw Kamran steadily approaching, was tall and impeccably dressed as usual.
Kamran wasted no time in expressing his distaste for my presence, and his
anger was palpable. “Evie,” he said with thinly veiled condescension, “I can't say
I expected to see you here so soon after Timothy called off his engagement to
Stella.”
I was taken aback, my surprise evident in my eyes. “Timothy called off the
engagement?” I stammered in disbelief.
Timothy nodded, his jaw clenched with anger. “Yes, Evie. I planned on making
the announcement public soon, but it seems my father here couldn't wait to share
his thoughts.”
Kamran smirked, his anger disguised beneath a veneer of satisfaction. “I just
hope, Timothy, that you're happy with your decision. It's not every day a man gets
to crush his own potential.”
Timothy met his gaze with an intensity that spoke volumes. “Il am happy with my
decision, Dad. And as for potential, that will be for me to decide without your
help.”
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
Kamran raised an eyebrow, his anger
simmering just below the surface,
u« , P » :
Well, I'll leave you tit heh, Re said.
whith a bRing ly polite tone, his eyes
: : “
flickering toward me. “Have a
4 W ;
pleasant life.” The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
As Kamran walked away, Timothy turned to me, his anger dissipating as he
sighed. “I'm sorry you had to hear that, Evie. Let's get out of here.”
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
I followed him as he made his way
toward the parking lot, feeling a px
. «
of confusion and goRdedn. “Where are
: ”
we, Soin Fmothy? I asked, unable
to shake the sense that there were
secrets yet to be revealed. The
content is on Novelxo.org! Read
the latest chapter there!
He didn’t answer immediately, unlocking the door to his car and holding it open
for me to get in. Once we were both inside, he finally spoke, his voice slightly
excited. “You'll see. Just trust me.”
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
2 p
As Timothy started the car, I couldn't
help but ponder over where he Gould
be taking us 50%660n: &fter the
finéral. &had the heat time we left
the lot, but my limbs were still
’ )
trembling. I couldn't deny The
content is on Novelxo.org! Read
the latest chapter there!
sting by th
3/4
Chapter 195
that he was making me nervous, even with how innocent his request seemed.
He didn’t seem like the type to grieve recklessly, but I'd prepare myself for any
surprises to come.
4/4
SEND GIFT