The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 219

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Lunch break at the office provided a brief respite from the demands of the day. As | sat in my office, a mixture of nerves and determination fueled my decision to make a call that had been long overdue. | took a deep breath, pulled out my phone, and dialed my mother’s number.

The phone rang for what felt like an eternity before Mia’s chipper voice greeted me. “Evie, darling! How wonderful to hear from you.”

| bit my lip, steadying myself for the conversation ahead. “I’m ready to talk. Can we meet?” Mia’s enthusiasm didn’t waver. “Of course, sweetheart! I’d love that. Where do you want to meet? My treat!”

| hesitated for a moment, considering the options. Then, a thought struck me. “Actually, why don’t you cto my office? I’m on my lunch break now.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line before Mia responded, “Your office? Oh, how exciting! I'd love to see where my successful daughter works.”

| could almost picture the smile on her face, and the skepticism ingrew. Nevertheless, | gave her the address and agreed to meet her at the office.

When Mia walked into the sleek lobby of the firm, she looked like she stepped out of a glossy magazine, her presence commanding attention. As she approached, | couldn't ignore the sense of pride that flickered in her

eyes. “Evie, darling, look at this place! | always knew you'd succeed in life.” Mia beamed, surveying the impressive surroundings.

| forced a smile, suppressing the questions that lingered in my mind. My mother had always been skilled at deflecting, turning the spotlight back ontowhenever | sought answers. | led her through the busy office, trying to gauge her reaction to the controlled chaos of a corporate environment.

We reached my office, a small sanctuary amid the hustle and bustle. Mia’s eyes widened as she stepped inside, taking in the minimalist decor and the view of the city beyond the glass walls.

“Wow, Evie, this is amazing! I’m so proud of you,” she exclaimed, her praise a balm to my conflicted emotions. 4/4

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We settled into the chairs facing each other, the air thick with unspoken tension. Mia glanced around the room. seemingly enamored by the success she claimed to have predicted.

“So, what did you want to talk about, sweetheart?” Mia’s tone was light, as if she were merely indulging me

| took a deep breath, the weight of the questions I’d carried for years pressing down on me. “I want to know you leftwith Dad. Why did you choose your career over being with me?”

Mia’s expression shifted, a flicker of discomfort crossing her features. “Evie, ... | was scared. | didn’t know how to take care of you while | was on the road trying to make a nfor myself.”

The admission hung in the air, a fragile truth that shattered the illusion of a glamorous life. Anger bubbled within but | held it back, determined to hear her side of the story. me,

“You were scared? So, you just leftwith Dad, with no explanation, and went off chasing your dreams?” My voice quivered with a mix of frustration and hurt.

Mia’s eyes softened, and she reached out to touch my hand. “Evie, you have to understand, | was young, and | didn’t know how to balance everything. | thought leaving you with your father was the best thing for you.”

The rational part ofunderstood her perspective, but the wounded child withindemanded more. “The best thing for me? Do you know what it was like growing up with him? The emotional neglect, the constant disappointment? You abandoned me, Mom.”

Her eyes glistened with remorse, but there was also a glint of defensiveness. “Evie, I’m sorry, | truly am. | thought | was doing what was best for you.”

| leaned back in my chair, “And what about now? You show up after all these years, acting like everything is fine, and you want to be a part of my success. Why now?”

Mia sighed, her gaze dropping to her lap. “I've made mistakes, Evie. | can’t change the past, but | want to be a part of your life now. I've been watching you from afar, and I’m genuinely proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

The sincerity in her words tugged at my conflicted heart. A part oflonged for the motherly connection | had missed out on, but another part was wary of letting her back into my life.

“Mom, it’s not that simple. You can’t just show up and expect everything to go back to normal. | have my own life now, and it’s not just about your pride in my success,” | said, my voice firm.

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Mia nodded, a trace of sadness in her eyes. “I know, Evie. | messed up, and | can’t change that. But | want to make amends, to be there for you in whatever way you'll allow.”

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The conversation lingered in the air, and | picked silently at my salad. As she recounted her ton the road in a wild display of emotions, | felt myself tuning it all out.

Once Mia left my office, promising to talk later, the conflicting emotions withinchurned. Her words echoed in my mind, but did little ease my sense of abandonment. It hardly felt like closure.

As | stared at the paperwork on my desk, the energy to tackle the junior attorneys’ cases seemed to evaporate. My thoughts were a jumble of resentment, hurt, and a lingering hope for something more. Mia’s admission had opened old wounds, and the journey toward forgiveness felt like an uphill battle.

| was almost grateful when my phone buzzed, interrupting the silence, and the n“Penny’ illuminated the screen.

“Evie, you won't believe what just happened!” Penny’s voice crackled with excitement as | lifted the phone to my

car. “What's going on, Penny? I’m just about ready to call it a day.”

“Sorry to bother you, Evie, but you won’t want to miss this. | got a call from a documentary producer. They’re doing a Tell All on your case against Erickson, and they want you to be a part of it!” Penny’s enthusiasm was contagious, even through the phone.

A Tell All documentary? The words caughtoff guard. The last thing | expected was to becthe face of a legal battle.

“Evie, this is huge! You have the chance to tell your side of the story, to show the world what you’ve been through. If the case didn’t convince them, a documentary sure will,” Penny continued.

The idea of bringing my struggles to a broader audience, of exposing the corruption within Erickson, was tempting. It could be an opportunity to encourage other employees to stand up and fight back against the corporate giants who thought they were untouchable.

“Okay, Penny, I’m in,” | finally said, a sense of determination rising within me. “But fillin on the details. | need to know what I'm getting into.” *

Penny’s excitement reached new heights. “You won't regret this, Eviel I'll get all the details sorted out and let you 3/4

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Chapter 219

know. This is a chance to make a real difference, to inspire others to speak out against injustice.”

| hung up the phone and felt my spirits lift ever so slightly.