The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 43
Bruce walked closer, a wicked smirk on his face as he greeted me with false
pleasantries. “Well, well, look who decided to show up. How have you been,
Coco?"
My jaw clenched as my anger simmered just below the surface. I had hoped to
avoid
any unnecessary small talk, but I couldn't ignore the taunts. “Cut the act, Bruce.
You called me here, now state your demands,” I demanded, trying to keep my
voice steady.
Bruce's smirk widened, and he leaned in closer, reveling in my discomfort. “I
have to admit, I didn’t think you'd ever amount to anything. But seeing you on the
news, winning that court case, made me realize you might have something to
offer me,” he said, his eyes glinting with greed.
My blood ran cold at the mention of the court case. “And now you want my
earnings?” I asked, not masking my irritation.
Bruce chuckled darkly, circling around me like a predator closing in on its prey.
“Yes, Coco. I want a share of your winnings. You owe me after what you did,” he
said, his words coming out in a hiss.
“You seem fine,” I said, looking him over. “Still dodging you daily showers, it
seems.” Bruce chuckled. “I always did enjoy your humor, Coco.”
“Don't call me that.”
“Why not, Coco?” he persisted, his eyes darkening. “Hell, I don’t speak a lick of
French, but damn are you as darling as the word suggests.”
“God!” I huffed and forced my hands to my sides, suppressing the need to
strangle him. “What have you even been doing alll these years, Bruce? I mean, I
besides extorting people.”
Bruce glanced around and shoved his hands in his pockets, “I've been trying to
get back on track. Especially after you left home so suddenly. You really broke
my heart, you know?"
“Didn't know you owned one of those,” I muttered. “And you barely answered my
question.”
His eyes narrowed. “If you're wondering about your dear “ol stepmom, she’s
doing
144
I
Chapter 431
all right. A little shaken still after step—douche died.”
My body shook at the mention of my father. I had almost forgotten about Laura,
although she wasn't exactly receptive to my existence half the time. She had
been pretty disturbed by my father's death, however.
“Are you still living with her?” I asked. I wanted to add if they were still in my
father’s house, but I honestly didn’t want to know.
“I swing by from time to time,” Bruce said, grinning. “She's changed the place up
quiet a bit. With your dad gone, she figured it was time to switch it up a little.”
I hadn't planned on returning to that house, but the thought of Laura tossing out
his belongings, and likely my own, disturbed me. I had left so abruptly that I
hadn't had the time to really collect sentimental items. It could have been Bruce
trying to rile me up, but it didn't feel outside of Laura's character to do this.
She hadn't even reached out after I disappeared that horrible night.
“I've dappled in various odd jobs around town,” Bruce continued. “After paying for
all those hospital bills, it's been a little difficult trying to get my life together.”
I rolled my eyes. “Do you expect me to feel bad for you? Sorry you never applied
yourself when you had the chance!” I retorted.
Bruce hesitated for a moment before his face twisted into a sinister smile.
“Believe what you want, Coco. It doesn’t change the fact that you owe me,” he
sneered.
“I owe you nothing, Bruce. You were the one who made my life a living hell, and
I'm done being manipulated by you,” I declared.
Bruce's smile faltered. “You always were the naive one, Coco. Thinking you could
escape your past and start anew,” he taunted.
My anger surged, and I fought to maintain my composure. “I'm not naive
anymore, Bruce. I've grown since then, and I won't let you or anybody else
control. me ever again.”
As Bruce looked down at me with a heightened curiosity, my stomach churned
with unease. Coming out here was starting to feel a little less sensical, but part of
me wanted to know. He had survived after all, but he was returning with a
vengeance.
Chapter 43
If I hadn't won, what would his intentions have been then? He had been
contacting me even before then. Of course, I shouldn't fool myself into believing
that his interest in me was strictly monetary.
“You think I owe you something after everything you put me through?” I spat
back, my anger bubbling to the surface.
Bruce snorted. “Oh, you owe me, Coco. That little knock to the head you gave
me left some personal scars that need to be compensated for,” he said, his voice
dripping with venom.
“I didn’t do anything that you didn’t deserve!” I snapped. “And it seems you lost a
few brain cells after the fact.”
Suddenly, his fist was gripping the roots of my air and I was being slammed
against one of the storage units. My vision flashed white as my head hit the sheet
siding of the building and I groaned in pain.
Bruce leaned in, his sour breath invading my nostrils. “Still mouthing off I see.”
His finger and thumb took hold of my chin as I attempted to look away.
“Don't act like you didn’t miss me,” he whispered. “That little boyfriend of yours
could never measure up. Admit it.”
“Get the fuck away from me!” I gave him a hard shove, sending him stumbling
backward. “I'd rather douse myself in fire than let you touch me, you filthy
asshole!”
In that moment, his smile disappeared, and his shoulders hunched over. I took a
few steps away and crossed my arms over my chest.
“I'm not giving you any money,” I stated. “So go crawl back into whatever gutter
you came out of.”
Anger flashed in Bruce's eyes, and he lunged towards me, demanding, “Don’t
make me ask again!”
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
Common sense seemed to finally
kick in right then. Right as he reached
out to grab me, I t mechand $printed
down tha lohg pathway. Bruce began
shouting my name and I could hear
his heavy footsteps behind me as he
gave chase. The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
“You could've made this a lot easier for me, Coco!” he yelled between pants.
3/4
alll
Chapter 43
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
I turned the corner, finally reaching an
opening. There was some relief ip,
seeing. my car left dhtadehed and
still in iN fot As I struggled to get my
keys, I felt something hard hit the
back of my head. The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
A shockwave of pain rattled my skull, and I stumbled forward. My vision blurred
and I reached to touch the back of my head before losing the strength in my legs.
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
I collapsed to the ground, my face
smacking against the CONCLELS 1)

\ gfe”
Bruce SipRsiees. slower as he
abpfoached, his boots the only thing
in my line of sight. The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
“Change of plans,” he grumbled. After nudging my legs with the tip of his boot, he
sent a hard kick into my ribs, causing me to cry gasp for air. He then
out and grabbed my arm and hoisted me up.
As darkness enveloped my vision, the last thing I heard was Bruce's malicious
laughter echoing in my ears as my eyelids fell shut.
I had walked right into his trap.
0
SEND GIFT
COMMENT