The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 177

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Back in the apartment, the air seemed lighter after my conversation with Timothy. | couldn’t help but smile as | saw Olive as she bounced her legs on the couch. Once she spotted me, she sat up and ran to my side.

“| can’t believe Uncle Timothy lives right next to you!” she said, her excitement evident.

| suppose they’d never had the chance to be properly introduced until now. Regardless, she seemed to have instantly taken a liking to him. “Can | see him again?” she asked innocently..

| hesitated for a moment, struggling to find the right words. “Another time,” | replied gently, not wanting to delve into the complexities of Timothy and. I’s situation.

Olive’s gaze returned to the window, her mind seemingly racing with questions. It was a weekday, and the persistent ticking of the antique wall clock remindedof her obligations.

“Shouldn't you be in school?” | inquired. “I've always been homeschooled,” Olive admitted. “I do have homework to do later.”

Homeschooled. | considered the implications of that as | glanced around the apartment. A flicker of sympathy welled up within me, because | was hardly as good of a distraction for her as her potential peers could’ve been.

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| rose from the couch, moved toward the television set, and switched it on. The screen flickered to life and | began flipping through channels until a children’s program con the screen. As | walked off, my mind began to wander to a twhen my own life had been marked by the absence of a

mother.

Mia, my mother, had left when | was just ten years old. Her departure coincided with my father’s growing dependence on alcohol, and | still remembered the tears in her eyes as she reminisced about the life she could have had if | had never been born. Her words had etched themselves into my memory, carving out a deep wound that never truly healed.

Scarlett was not the type of mother to abandon her child. Her departure was the kind that only happened through

My reverie was abruptly interrupted by the jarring ring of my phone. Glancing at the caller ID, my heart clenched with a mixture of dread and anticipation. It was Timothy. With a quick glance at Olive, | stepped away to answer the call.

“Evie,” Timothy's voice crackled on the other end. “The hospital just called. Scarlett still hasn’t woken up. They say there’s a chance, but...”

My heart sank as | listened to the uncertainty in his voice. That could’ve meant a lot of things. At least, that’s how my mind rationalized it.

| felt a tug at the corner of my shirt and peered down to see Olive by my side. | hadn’t even noticed she’d moved from the couch. “Is Mommy going to wake up?” she asked, peering up atwith questioning eyes.

| cupped a hand over the phone to muffle Timothy’s voice. “Um, I’m going to have to call you back, okay?”

“Sure,” Timothy said. “Talk to you later.”

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After hanging up. | knelt down, my eyes meeting hers with a heavy sigh. “The doctors are doing everything they can,” | told her gently, wishing | could promise more. “We just have to keep hoping.”

Olive nodded slowly, her gaze filled with a wisdom that far exceeded her years. She brushed a lock of her auburn hair behind her ear and whispered. “They need to fix her soon, so she can cto my birthday.”

The mention of her birthday tugged at my heartstrings. “When is your birthday, Olive?” | asked, “It's tomorrow,” she replied, her voice soft and uncertain. “But I’ve never celebrated without Mommy.”

Her words pierced through me, remindingof the countless birthdays and milestones that had been tainted or even missed altogether. My thoughts. wandered to the things | had missed out on, the moments my own mother had never been there to share.

| took a deep breath, determined to be there for Olive in a way my mother hadn’t been for me. “We'll celebrate your birthday, Olive,” | said with conviction. “We'll make it special, and then you can tell Mommy all about it when she gets better.”

Aglimmer of hope flickered in Olive’s eyes, and a smile graced her lips. “Can | invite my friends over for a sleepover?” she asked, her voice filled with

excitement.

The prospect of hosting a sleepover party filledwith a mix of anxiety and nostalgia. I'd never been particularly good with kids, and my life had revolved around work and personal struggles. However, Olive’s happiness was more important than ever now, and | was determined to make her birthday a memorable one.

“Of course,” | agreed with a grin, hoping tha

my enthusiasm would mask my apprehension. “We'll plan the best sleepover party ever.”

Emergency calls only

Chapter 177

Olive’s eyes sparkled with joy, and her small arms envelopedin a tight hug. | couldn’t help but smile and squeeze her back. 021% 13:31

Olive and | spent the day gathering supplies for her upcoming birthday sleepover, filling the small living space with balloons, streamers, and the unmistakable excitement of an impending celebration. As | hurriedly arranged a stack of colorful party hats, | couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction and even wonder at the festivities to come.

Just as | put the finishing touches on the decorations, the front door swung open and Aria entered. Her movements were sluggish as she threw her keys on the kitchen counter and kicked off her boots.

“Hey, Aria,” | greeted her with a warm smile.

“Hil” Olive chirped after me, waving her tissue paper pom-poms.

“We've got sexciting news,” | continued, stepping down from the step—stool.

Aria approached, her curly hair disheveled and her eyes heavy with fatigue. She eyed the decorations curiously, then responded with a forced smile. “What’s up, Evie?” She slung her bag onto a chair and looked around. “Are you throwing a party or something?”

As Olive beamed with anticipation, | gestured toward the festively decorated room. “We're going to help Olive celebrate her birthday with a sleepover tomorrow. We've got all the decorations ready.”

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Aria’s eyes widened with alarm, and the fatigue that had weighed down her features was replaced by a growing sense of panic. “A sleepover?” she stammered. “With kids? I...1 don’t know what to do with a bunch of kids, Evie.”

| chuckled. “It’s all right, Aria. I've got the big things covered, like decorations and planning. You don’t need to stress about anything. Just be here with us, and we'll make it a memorable day for Olive.”

Aria’s tension eased somewhat, but her concern still lingered in her eyes. “Are you sure about this?”

| reached out to her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I am. I'll handle the logistics, and you can just relax and enjoy the celebration with Olive. It’s her special day, and we want it to be perfect.”

Aria let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders slumping. “Well, | wouldn’t want to let Olive down. | guess we it should be all right.” I smiled at her. “You're the best!”

She smirked at me, shrugging off my hand as she retreated to her room. “I’m well aware.”