Ex-Hockey Star Regret のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 71 - チャプター 80

Nicole’s POVThe house felt different the moment we stepped in as the police team brought us home. Although not because anything inside had changed, but because I had. I just feel that every corner suddenly felt louder, brighter, and sharper. Maybe that was what fear did — leave little fingerprints everywhere even after you tried washing it off.Brad led me straight inside the house without asking a single question and honestly he didn't have to. My legs were already jelly, and honestly, the only thing that kept me from collapsing was the steady warmth of his hand around mine. We showered quietly and it wasn’t even the usual playful kind of quiet we sometimes had. This one felt soft and careful like one wrong sound would break something in the air.By the time we got to the bedroom, my body was clean but my chest still felt heavy. Brad sat first and tugged me gently until my head rested on his chest. His arms wrapped around me like they were made for it. His fingers slid into my hair,

Brad's POVAt first it was the laugh I heard which all seemed sharp to get any one's attention. And then a flash of a small leather bag which she flipped over her shoulder. Bianca.I should have felt shocked. Instead it was a slow, cold drop. She'd always known how to stand in a space and make it all about her. She looked the same, having the same tilt of chin and the same careless smile but time had done small things: a new line at the corner of her mouth and also a different cut of dress that suggested who she hoped to be now but that would be impossible as I have someone in my life that I love and cherish with everything in me. Honestly, if I had seen Nicole all the while I was searching for her, I wouldn't have had anything to do with Bianca in the first place.“Bianca,” I said before I could stop myself.She turned as if she’d been waiting. “Brad.” Her voice was soft, like she’d repeated the scene over and over again in her head. “You look… tired.”“I could say the same,” I repli

Brad’s POVWe were folding the last of the towels into the suitcase when Nicole’s voice cut through the quiet room.“Brad,” she said, not angry at first, let's say just tired. “Can we talk?”She’d been watching me all day the way someone watches a storm moving in, in a patient and worried manner, waiting for it to hit. I closed my eyes for a second and tried to breathe like it would make me steadier.“What about?” I asked, keeping my voice light because I could feel how tense she’d been all weekend.She set down her brush and sat on the edge of the bed. “This weekend. You’ve been distant, right from the first night. I kept thinking maybe you were tired, or stressed. I told myself a lot of things but then today—you went out and came back worse. If there’s something you want to tell me, don’t make me pull it out of you.” Her hands folded together, calm but firm. “I won’t pretend like I had the best time if you were somewhere else.”Her words hit a place deeper than my chest. I wanted to

Brad’s POVBack at my apartment, I noticed Nicole wasn’t home. I tried calling her again, but there was no luck on my side as she still didn’t pick up. My chest felt hollow and crowded at the same time but I tried to control it from sinking completely.Not long after, my phone rang, then I quickly picked it and placed it right in my ear as this was the right call I was just expecting.“Hi, Brad,” Nicole said softly from the other end. “I just went out to pick something at the supermarket. I’ll be back soon, dear. Sorry for missing your call. Nothing was intentional, trust me.”As soon as we ended the call, I placed the receipt from the space on the kitchen counter. Bianca had been right because honestly, I had no time. Rush was authorized as the clock was going to start ticking whether I wanted it to or not.After then, I dialed Bianca’s contact as my mind had refused to get settled. She picked up on the second ring.“I forgot to ask… I hope you paid?” she said, skipping any form of gr

Brad’s POVJust immediately, Bianca walked out of the house without saying anything.I am sure she must have felt fulfilled by letting Nicole know about all of this in this manner.And just then, I saw something off in Nicole's face.With that, I knew the moment Nicole’s face shifted that I was in trouble—real trouble. The kind that doesn’t explode loudly but grows in quiet and painful waves. Besides, anyone in her shoes would be this angry. You know, this was a perfect reason for her to have trust issues with me or whatsoever. She just stood there, staring at me like she wasn’t sure whether to scream, cry, or just walk away entirely.“Nicole…” I tried to touch her arm.She flinched and that one stung more than it should.Her voice came out low. “Brad… you can’t be serious right now.”“I’m trying to explain…”“Explain what?” She snapped, and then she pulled back as if she shocked herself with the volume. She dragged both hands through her hair, pacing once and then twice, before comin