All Chapters of Dumped On Live TV, Claimed By The Hockey King: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

CHAPTER 11AVAThe rhythmic beep-beep-beep of the heart monitor was the only sound in the VIP suite, a stark contrast to the chaos of the last few hours. I sat by the edge of the bed, my fingers interlaced with Mom’s frail, cool hand. I leaned over, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles."You’re going to be okay, Mom," I whispered, though my voice cracked. "I’m doing this, okay? I’m playing this game just for you. All you have to do is just… stay with me."The terror I had felt in the ambulance…the sight of her struggling for air, had carved something hollow into my chest. I realized then that my pride, my hatred for the headlines, and my obsession with being "independent" were luxuries I couldn't afford. If Liam Hayes was the only thing standing between my mother and a hospital bed, then I would stand by him until the contract ended. I’d take the threats, the glares, and the toxic noise. Anything to keep her safe.Hannah was sitting on the sofa, her eyes puffy but watchful. "Hanna

CHAPTER 13AVAI woke up with a lingering sense of unease, my dreams haunted by the cold stare of Liam’s father and the slap from Brittany. I reached for my phone on the nightstand, intending to check my schedule, but my breath caught in my throat.There was a new text from an unknown number. “Stay away from Liam Hayes. You’re playing a game you can’t win, Ava.”My fingers trembled as I scrolled down. Below the text was a high-resolution photo. It seemed to be taken from the next building showing my room, my bed and the midnight-blue dress draped over the chair. It seemed they had succeeded in finding my dorm room. Panic, cold and sharp, flooded my veins. I immediately dialed Liam’s number, desperate for the reassurance he’d promised.“The number you have dialed is currently unavailable…”I tried again. And agai but Nothing. The silence from his end was more terrifying than any threat.The next forty-eight hours were a blur of isolation. Liam didn’t pick me up for class, didn’t text

CHAPTER 15AVAAfter my final lecture, I walked into the chess hall, determined not to let Liam’s bullshit ruin my life and hoping to find some semblance of normalcy. The familiar smell of wood and dust cleared my head. I was still setting up the chessboard when the door swung open.Assuming it was Liam, I whipped around, anger already boiling over.“Leave me the fuck alone, Li—”The words died in my throat.Wait… that wasn’t Liam.Heat rushed to my face as embarrassment settled in. Clearing my throat, I turned back to the chessboard, pretending to focus on the pieces while he walked over and took a seat across from me.Arnold. He is my senior and a legend in the chess circuit, and the guy I’d been quietly crushing on for two years. After he sat down, he smiled, and my heart did a traitorous flip."Ava," he said, his voice warm. "I was hoping you’d show up today."“Huh?” I asked genuinely confused.“Since you are done setting the board, let’s play.” He said dismissing my confusion.W

CHAPTER 17AVAThe morning sun filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Liam’s guest suite, casting long, mocking shadows across the expensive rug. I was still trying to orient myself when my phone buzzed. The screen flashed Arnold, and for a second, my heart lifted."Hey, Ava," his voice was warm and grounded. "I’m out front of your dorm. I thought we could grab a coffee and walk to class together?"My stomach twisted. I looked around the opulent, sterile room that wasn't mine, the reality of my situation crashing down. "Arnold... I'm sorry. I had a last-minute situation. I moved.""Moved? Since when?""It’s complicated," I said, my voice tight. I couldn't tell him I was living in Liam’s penthouse. "I have to go." I ended the call before he could ask another question, feeling like a coward.I dressed in silence, desperate to leave the luxury behind. As I stepped toward the front door, Liam was already there, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed."Get in the car," h

CHAPTER 19AVA woke up to an empty, echoing silence. Entering the bathroom, washing up and getting dressed for school. I stepped out to the living room to no sign of Liam, I went to his room and it was empty. Did he leave for school without me?…That’s unlike him tho.I pushed the thought aside and left for school. When I arrived on campus, I scanned the usual spots for him, but there was no sign of the black Porsche or his commanding presence.Classes dragged on endlessly. By midday, I made a deliberate decision to skip chess class. I needed to go back to the penthouse, get my things ready, and prepare for Arnold’s birthday party. The entire walk back, my mind raced, trying to formulate the exact excuse I would give Liam before leaving. I’m studying at the library. I have a project. I need space. But when I finally unlocked the door and stepped inside, the apartment was still entirely dead. Liam wasn't back.A wave of conflicting emotions washed over me. Part of me felt a cold spike