The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 94

The serene ambiance of the massage center wrapped around Aria like a comforting blanket. Soft music played in the background, and the soothing scent of lavender lingered in the air. As a skilled massage therapist, Aria took pride in helping her clients find relaxation and relief from their daily stresses.

But today, even the tranquil atmosphere couldn’t fully calm the turmoil within herself.

Evie’s words echoed in Aria’s mind as she worked her skilled hands over a client’s tense muscles. The conversation they had shared the other day weighed heavily on her heart. Timothy, the guy who had seemed so perfect, had shattered that illusion with his betrayal.

Aria couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger on behalf of Evie, even if her emotions. wanted to dismiss her claims. The rhythm of her hands faltered slightly, and Aria took a steadying breath. She had thought Timothy was different, that he was the kind of guy who wouldn’t hurt a fly, let alone someone he cared about. But now, the

image she had constructed of him had crumbled, leaving behind a bitter taste of disappointment.

As she moved to another section of her client's back, Aria’s thoughts drifted back to Evie’s tearful confession. It wasn’t just Timothy's actions that gnawed at her—it was the fact that Evie had been hurt so deeply. Aria had been quick to jump to conclusions, accusing Evie of harboring feelings for Timothy when all along, Evie had been grappling with her own pain.

As the massage session came to an end, Aria withdrew from her client’s side with a smile, but her thoughts were elsewhere. She retreated to the break room, where she poured herself a cup of chamomile tea and sank into a chair. Closing her eyes, she replayed her conversation with Evie in her mind, growing more regretful of her words.

Aria had always prided herself on being a loyal and understanding friend, someone who could be counted on in times of need. But in this instance, she had let her own emotions get the best of her. Evie needed her now more than ever, and Aria was determined to make things right.

As the minutes ticked by, Aria made a decision. She reached for her phone and 1/4 Chapter 94

dialed Evie’s number, her heart pounding with a mixture of nerves and determination. The call went to voicemail, and Aria took a deep breath before deciding not to leave a message.

“It needs to be in person,” she decided.

Hanging up, Aria placed her phone on the table and leaned back in her chair. The knots of tension that had been building within her began to loosen, replaced by a glimmer of hope. She was ready to make amends.

That day at the firm had been like any other, uneventful and filled with the monotony of paperwork and meetings. The only shock was receiving a call from Aria after a day’s worth of silence. | hadn’t been able to answer at the time, and | certainly didn’t have the energy to answer right then.

As | stepped through the door of my apartment, | kicked off my heels and pushed them to the side before shuffling down the hallway.

| headed straight to the bathroom, the sound of the running water a soothing backdrop to my thoughts. The hot shower washed away the physical exhaustion, but the emotional toll still lingered. | let the water cascade over me, closing my eyes and letting the warmth envelop me.

After the shower, | wrapped myself in a soft towel and walked into my bedroom. The evening light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the room. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, | let out a heavy sigh.

My thoughts inevitably turned to Timothy’s betrayal. His confession still felt like a fresh wound, a knife twisting in my heart. How could he have done this to me? | had believed in him, trusted him, and he had shattered that trust.

But the betrayal wasn’t the only weight on my mind. Bruce’s threats still lingered. The fear and anxiety that had become my constant companions seemed to tighten their grip with every passing day.

As | got dressed in my nightclothes, lost in my thoughts, a soft knock at the door broke through the stillness. Startled, | looked towards the entrance, slightly fearful of who could have been lurking behind my door. | got up and walked to the door.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Opening it, | found Aria standing on the other side, concern etched on her face. 24

“Hey,” she greeted softly. “Can | come in?”

| stepped back, allowing her entry. The atmosphere was already thick with tension, as if the fight had never left either of us. She walked in, her gaze taking in the disarray of my room before settling on me.

“You look like you’ve had a rough day,” Aria remarked. | crossed my arms over my chest, feeling a lump form in my throat. “You could say that. Aria perched herself on the edge of the bed, her eyes fixed on me. “Do you want to talk about it?”

| hesitated, the flood of emotions threatening to spill over, but the urge to confide in her was stronger, and | found myself speaking.

“| don’t know what to do, Aria,” | croaked, lifting a hand to my forehead.

Everything’s just so screwed up.”

Aria listened attentively, her eyes trained on me. “I still can’t believe it though,” she said. “You two sleeping together is wild on its own, but him recording it is just...”

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, and | blinked them back, my throat tight. “I know,” | whispered. “I thought | knew him.”

Aria’s expression softened, her hand reaching out to rest on mine. “You don’t have to go through this alone, Evie. I’m with you, every step of the way.”

Her words brought a strained smile to my face, but it did little to hold back the tears. “Thank you,” | murmured, my throat tight with emotion.

“We're going to take Bruce down, no matter what it takes,” Aria stated firmly. Aria and | spent the next hour discussing our options, poring over different strategies. “It's got to be illegal right? It's blackmail,” she said hopefully.

The realization hit me like a jolt of electricity. Could it really be that simple? Could Bruce’s threats be the very thing that would lead to his downfall?

My heart pounded as the idea came to my mind. “We would have to catch him in