All Chapters of The Hockey Star Regret : Chapter 111 - Chapter 120

COLEENThe day began too quiet. Considering the drama Jessica stirred up yesterday morning, I was kinda happy to have a reprieve but something felt off.Hayden had gone out to the back garden with Jared to help their father with something car-related, leaving me alone in the sitting room with a cup of tea I’d barely touched.I could feel eyes on me long before anyone said a word.Mrs. Michaels entered first, looking poised, perfectly put-together, that same polished grace that made her seem untouchable. Behind her, Mr. Michaels followed, adjusting his cufflinks like he’d walked straight out of a board meeting.“Coleen,” she said, voice too polite, too sharp. “Would you join us for a moment? There’s something we’d like to discuss with you.”My stomach tightened. Still, I nodded and set the teacup down, following them into what looked like a private study. The walls were lined with books that looked untouched, and the faint smell of old leather filled the air.Mrs. Michaels gestured tow

HAYDENShe was radiant.My heart kicked hard against my ribs.For a moment, I forgot my parents existed. Forgot the entire room existed. It was just her, her shy but steady gaze, the way her hands fidgeted briefly with the clutch at her side, and the soft, uncertain smile that told me she was nervous but trying not to show it.When she spotted me across the room, that smile grew just enough to undo me completely.I crossed the floor without thinking, ignoring the murmurs that followed. A few people turned their heads, whispering behind champagne flutes. I didn’t care.When my fingers closed around hers, I felt her relax a little. The tension in her shoulders eased as she exhaled softly, like the world wasn’t quite as intimidating with me beside her. That alone made my chest tighten.“Ready for your grand entrance?” I asked.“As ready as I’ll ever be,” she said, squeezing my hand back.Together, we stepped fully into the ballroom. Heads turned, just as I knew they would. Some smiled po

HAYDENThe ballroom had quieted into softer music and low conversation. I had spent most of the last hour keeping one arm around Coleen, partly out of pride, partly because I didn’t trust my family or Jessica to keep their claws to themselves.But eventually, Coleen excused herself to the restroom again, and I decided to get us both some drinks. I needed a breather anyway and my jaw still ached from how tightly I’d been clenching it all night.I’d survived worse nights under this roof, but rarely had I wanted to burn the place down as badly as tonight.Coleen had handled everything with a grace that put everyone else to shame. Her calm had humbled me, even when Jessica had deliberately humiliated her. I didn’t know how she did it. I just knew that I didn’t deserve someone like her, and that my parents’ approval meant less and less the longer she was in my life.I didn’t notice the movement behind me until it was too late.“Well,” came a familiar, syrupy voice, “look who finally decide

HAYDENSpace.For the first time in our relationship, I wasn’t sure what to do. I have never seen Coleen this heartbroken or sad, and it killed me knowing that I was the one that made her this way.I hoped when I found her, I would be able to explain to her and all would be settled but it turned out not to be the case.Now I had no choice but to watch her walk away from me while she held the fate of our relationship in her hands.Tonight has been an absolute shit show.“Hayden?”I turned sharply. Jared was standing under one of the terrace lights, glass of whiskey in hand, his expression somewhere between curiosity and amusement.“Looking for someone?” he asked lazily.“Don’t start,” I growled, brushing past him.I initially thought that he had gone after Coleen. It turned out I was wrong.He followed anyway. “You know, it’s funny. Jessica’s lipstick looked pretty familiar when I saw you two.”I froze. “What did you just say?”He smirked. “You heard me. She’s got that same color all o

COLEENThe wind outside howled like a wounded animal, swallowing the sound of tires crunching over snow.I stared out the window, trying to recognize the road we were on, but nothing looked familiar. We should’ve been heading back toward the Michaels’ estate by now, but the narrow road we were on twisted into unfamiliar darkness.“Jared,” I said carefully, turning my head to look at him. “I think you missed the turn.”He didn’t answer right away. His hands gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white, a muscle ticking in his jaw. The car heater blew too hot, making my skin prickle.“Did I?” he finally muttered, eyes fixed ahead. “Funny. I didn’t think you were paying attention.”My pulse stuttered. There was something off about his tone.“I was,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “The road to the house is the other way.”He exhaled, something that could have been a laugh, except it wasn’t. “Relax, Coleen. I just want to talk. It’s been… tense at the house. Thought we could use some privacy