Lahat ng Kabanata ng LOVING MR HOCKEY STAR: Kabanata 181 - Kabanata 190

Maya's POVThe sunset painted the chapel in shades of gold and rose as I approached. My hands were shaking. My heart was racing. And my mind was spinning with everything that had happened over the past few months.Victoria was gone, expelled and facing legal charges. The Sterling family's threats had crumbled when seventeen different video recordings proved their daughter had staged everything. Dean Matthews had quietly resigned after the leaked files exposed his corruption. And my name, my reputation, was finally clear.I should have felt relieved. Victorious, even. Instead, I felt terrified. Because now that the chaos had settled, I had to face the choice I'd been avoiding. The choice between three men who had all fought for me in different ways. The choice that would define not just my romantic future, but the kind of person I wanted to be.Jaxon was already waiting at the chapel steps, his expression serious. Twenty feet away, Ronan stood beneath an oak tree. And further back, nea

Maya'sPOV"I'm not done," I said gently. "But I'm choosing to prioritize my own growth and healing. And if any of you really love me, you'll understand why that's necessary.""How long?" Jaxon asked, his voice breaking. "How long until you're ready to consider us again?""I don't know," I admitted. "Maybe a semester. Maybe a year. Maybe never. I can't promise you a timeline because that would just be another form of waiting instead of living."Ronan nodded slowly. "You're right. This is the right choice, even though it hurts.""It does hurt," I agreed, tears spilling down my cheeks. "Because I care about all of you. But caring about you doesn't mean I should sacrifice my own development to be what you need."I wiped my tears away. "Jaxon, I hope you take this time to rebuild your relationship with your father, or at least figure out your own identity outside of being someone's son or someone's boyfriend. You're more than your sacrifices."Jaxon nodded, unable to speak."Ronan, I hope

Lyra's POV "Did you create and distribute these images?""Some of them. Others I encouraged people to share. I had a group chat with about fifteen students where we coordinated harassment. Who would sit near Maya in classes and make comments. Who would accidentally spill things on her. Who would spread rumors about her mental health."The courtroom erupted in shocked murmurs. The judge banged her gavel for order. Walsh continued, her voice hard. "You orchestrated systematic harassment of a former friend. Why?""Because I was scared," I admitted, tears streaming down my face now. "Maya was building a new life at Blackstone. Making new friends, catching the attention of professors and other students. And I was terrified that people would find out what I'd done to her. That they'd see me for what I really was.""Which is?""A bully," I said clearly. "A manipulator. Someone who destroyed her best friend's life out of jealousy and then spent months trying to destroy her again out of fear.

Lyra's POV "How convenient that you've developed a conscience now, after your co-conspirator has been caught.""It's not convenient," I shot back. "It's humiliating and painful and I'll carry the guilt for the rest of my life. But it's necessary.""Necessary for what? To save your own reputation by throwing Victoria Sterling under the bus?""No. Necessary to tell the truth about what we did. All of us. Including me."The attorney tried several more angles, attempting to paint me as an opportunist or to suggest my testimony was motivated by plea bargaining. But I had nothing to gain and everything to lose, which made me a difficult witness to discredit.After forty-five minutes of cross-examination, the judge finally dismissed me from the stand.I walked out of the courtroom on shaking legs. The hallway was full of people, reporters, students, curious observers. They all stared as I passed, and I could hear their whispered comments."That's Lyra Brooks.""The one who betrayed her best

Maya's POV "Like I survived the storm but forgot where I was trying to go before it hit." I took a sip of coffee. "For months, my only goal was getting through each day. Now that the crisis is over, I don't know what comes next."Isabella nodded thoughtfully. "You know what I think? I think you've been so focused on other people's choices, Lyra's betrayal, Victoria's harassment, the guys' declarations of love, that you forgot you get to make choices too.""I chose myself," I said. "At the chapel. I told them all I needed to be alone.""That was a good start," Isabella agreed. "But now you need to figure out what choosing yourself actually means. Not just what you're saying no to, but what you're saying yes to."I thought about that. "I want to finish my degree in Healing and Herbalife. I want to make real friendships that aren't caught up in drama. I want to discover who I am when I'm not just reacting to a crisis.""Those are great goals," Isabella said. "But Maya, what do you want