All Chapters of The Nerd and the Hockey King : Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

The holding cell was quieter than Ethan expected.The adrenaline from the fight had faded hours ago, leaving behind only exhaustion and regret.He sat on the narrow bench, his elbows resting on his knees, staring at the scrape across his knuckles.Every time he looked at his hand, he saw Lucas falling to the ground.Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Lila crying.The heavy metal door rattled open.A police officer stepped inside.“You have a visitor.”Ethan looked up.Richard stood in the hallway outside the cell.He looked as though he had aged ten years overnight.There was disappointment in his eyes.But there was something stronger.Concern.The officer unlocked the cell.“You’re free to go.”Ethan slowly stood.Neither father nor son spoke until they reached the parking lot.Rain had fallen during the night, leaving the streets slick and empty.Richard unlocked the car.“Get in.”The drive home passed in silence.Ethan rested his forehead against the window, watching the city

Lila stood outside the abandoned St. Mary’s Hospital just after sunrise.The building looked even lonelier in the morning light.Broken windows reflected the gray sky. Weeds had pushed through the cracked pavement, and the old hospital sign hung crooked above the entrance.Vanessa pulled her car to a stop beside the curb.“I still hate this place.”Lila looked at the building.“So do I.”“But every answer keeps leading us back here.”Vanessa grabbed a flashlight and a folder from the back seat.“Then let’s hope today isn’t another wasted trip.”They stepped inside.The hospital greeted them with silence.Their footsteps echoed through empty hallways.Dust covered everything.The air smelled damp, like a place that had been holding its breath for years.Lila ran her fingers along the peeling wall.“My mother was here.”Vanessa glanced at her.“So was Lily.”The words lingered between them.It was strange to think that eighteen years earlier, this building had been full of life.Doctors

Ethan stared at the green folder.ELENA RIVERS – CONFIDENTIALHis hand hovered above it.He knew he shouldn’t touch it.If Carter had hidden an entire archive beneath his office, it wasn’t because he wanted anyone to find it.But then he thought of Lila.The nights she’d spent crying because she didn’t know who she was.The questions that had consumed her life.If this file held answers…She deserved to know them.He carefully lifted the folder from the shelf and placed it on an old wooden table.The cardboard cover was worn around the edges, as though it had been opened countless times.He took a deep breath.Then I opened it.The first page wasn’t a police report.It was a handwritten letter.The paper had yellowed with age.At the top, in neat cursive handwriting, were the words:Dr. Carter,If you’re reading this, then I wasn’t able to keep my promise.Please stop looking for me.The more you search, the more dangerous this becomes.Protect the baby.Forget about me.Forget my nam

Rain battered the roof of the research cabin so hard it sounded like thousands of tiny stones striking the wood.Lila stood by the window, watching muddy water rush over the narrow road leading back to town.The bridge they had crossed less than an hour ago had disappeared beneath the flood.Vanessa sighed as she refreshed the weather app for what felt like the tenth time.“No signal again.”She held her phone higher.Nothing.Ethan checked his own.“Mine’s gone too.”Lila frowned.“So we’re completely cut off?”Vanessa nodded.“The storm must’ve knocked out the nearest cell tower.”Thunder shook the cabin.The lights flickered once before settling into a dim glow.Vanessa let out a long breath.“I’ll see if the landline still works.”She disappeared into the next room.A minute later, she came back, already knowing the answer.“It’s dead.”Silence settled over the room.Lila looked at Ethan.“So…”He gave a small shrug.“I guess we’re not going anywhere tonight.”The cabin wasn’t lar

Lila didn’t realize she had fallen asleep holding Ethan’s hand.Not until she felt his fingers move gently against hers.She looked up.His eyes were already open.For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.Neither of them pulled away.The morning sun poured through the cabin windows, painting the room in soft shades of gold.Outside, the storm had disappeared.The world looked fresh, as though the rain had washed everything clean.Ethan smiled first.“Good morning.”Lila smiled back.“Morning.”Her voice was quiet.Almost shy.Then they both looked down at their hands.Their fingers were still intertwined.Lila felt warmth rush to her cheeks.“I…”She started to let go.Ethan loosened his grip, but not before his thumb brushed gently across the back of her hand.“I’m sorry.”He said softly.“I didn’t even realize.”“You don’t have to apologize.”The words slipped out before she could stop them.She met his eyes.“I mean…”“I didn’t mind.”A slow smile spread across Ethan’s face.“I w