Rising From Betrayal Reborn As The Family Outcast (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Hearing Alicia’s account and seeing the hurt in her eyes, both Diana and her sister felt a stir of sympathy. The Hammonds had gone too far.

To them, Nicole and her mother now seemed deeply manipulative and unkind.

Diana’s sister, always more emotionally tender, felt her own tears rising.

‘How true it is, she thought bitterly, ‘that a new wife often means a changed father.

‘All this talk about Mr. Hammond’s devotion to his first wife, marrying a woman with no standing; already divorced with a child, just to care for the daughter his late wife left behind.

‘And what fine care it turned out to be, driving his own flesh and blood to cut all ties.

This was the first time Nicolas had heard Alicia speak so openly of her pain.

In his eyes, she had always been strong, optimistic, and radiant.

Apart from the time he saw her cry over her ruined flowers, he had never witnessed her break down.

Now, as he saw her eyes red-rimmed and her expression raw with hurt, his chest tightened with a sympathetic ache, and something softer, more protective, stirred within him.

Then, remembering her earlier words, he turned to her and asked, “Nicole likes me? Wants to marry me? Alicia, are you sure you haven’t misunderstood?”

‘She couldn’t possibly think there’s something between Nicole and me,’ he worried silently.

That, at least, he needed to make clear. There was nothing between them, nor had Nicole ever given the slightest hint of romantic interest.

Alicia had been expecting this.

She replied evenly, “Look up the account ‘NicoleTodayAlsoTryingHerBest’ on X. It’s her private one.

“She’s been posting about you since high school.

“See for yourself.”

That account had been revealed in Alicia’s previous life, deliberately by Nicole herself, to craft the image of a girl quietly in love with her sister’s closest friend for years, too self-sacrificing to ever speak up.

Once Alicia broke things off with Nicolas and ended the engagement to the Moore family, Nicole, the longtime secret admirer, could step gracefully into the light and claim the alliance for herself.

Those posts would serve as proof that she wasn’t stealing her sister’s match. She was simply following a heart that had loved in silence for years.

Nicolas pulled out his phone, opened X, and typed in the handle.

As the account loaded, a new post appeared at the top.

Nicole TodayAlsoTryingHerBest: [Saw him singing and dancing today. Completely swept me away all over again.]

He scrolled down. Post after post, though never naming names or showing faces, painted a picture that aligned unmistakably with him, the details fit too perfectly to be coincidence.

One entry mentioned that the one she loved had grown up alongside her sister.

She wrote of falling for him at first sight, a pull beyond her control, but out of loyalty to her sister, she had chosen to keep her feelings hidden, locked away in silence.

Sometimes she shared moments when he had argued with Alicia because of her, describing a tangled mix of guilty pleasure and regret.

But what caught Nicolas’ attention most was the profile picture: a slightly blurred side-shot of himself mid-air during a high school basketball game.

And at the bottom corner of the image, his name was circled by a small, carefully drawn heart.

As Nicolas scrolled through the posts, his aunt leaned over his shoulder to read along.

“She really has no shame, does she?” his aunt muttered under her breath, unable to hold back.

“And you? You actually defended her, all those times?

“That scheming stepsister was clearly stirring up trouble, and yet you took her side. Honestly, Nicolas, what were you thinking?”

Hearing her words, Nicolas inwardly sighed, ‘Is she trying to help or make things worse? Alicia is right here.

Diana, noticing her sister’s lack of tact yet again, gently pulled her aside.

Then she turned to Alicia, her expression softening. “I had no idea you’ve been carrying so much hurt all these years.”

Her tone shifted, gentle but firm. “But you should know, our family’s interest in allying with the Hammonds was always about you.

“You and Nicolas grew up together. I’ve always thought of you as family.”

She paused meaningfully. “Whether you remain a Hammond or not, it is you Nicolas is meant to marry.”

Alicia had been the ideal match from the start: poised, accomplished, and holding six percent of Hammond shares in her own name.

She and Nicolas shared a history, and Diana had long believed her son held genuine affection for her.

In Diana’s eyes, Alicia was the only choice for him.

Alicia looked at her, a faint surprise in her eyes. “Mrs. Moore, were you not aware that Nicolas and I have already parted ways?

“It wasn’t just his family. Every time Nicole played the victim, Nicolas stood by her.

“When I was being torn apart online, it was not just by Nicole’s supporters, but by campaigns orchestrated by Starlight Entertainment’s PR.

“My former agent told me it was all done under Nicolas’ orders. To lift Nicole up, at my expense.”

Haley had indeed come to see her once after it all happened, shifting blame as she relayed exactly that.

Alicia offered a small, polite smile. “I’d like that.”

And without another glance toward Nicolas, she turned and walked away.

The moment Alicia was out of sight, the gracious smile vanished from Diana’s face.

She turned to Nicolas, who stood frozen in disbelief, her expression stern. “Look at the mess you’ve made.”

Her tone turned even sharper. “Even if you don’t marry Alicia, it will absolutely never be someone like Nicole, a girl without shame or scruples.”

Diana had never thought much of Nicole or her mother.

Now, knowing that Nicole had driven a wedge between Nicolas and Alicia so deep that Alicia had walked away, she was resolved.

Such a manipulative young woman would never be welcome in their family.

A daughter-in-law like that would only bring discord, and all that calculated fragility was nothing but trouble.

Nicolas dragged a hand through his hair, frustrated. “There is nothing between Nicole and me. I never knew she felt that way. I have to explain this to Alicia.”

The idea that Alicia believed they had no future was unacceptable to him.

Without another word, he turned and hurried after her.

Watching him go, Diana’s sister shook her head with a quiet scoff. “Took him long enough.”

She had little patience for men who were blind to scheming women. Her own husband had once been caught in a similar trap.

Diana sighed, seeing now how careless her son had been in matters of the heart.

“I’m not getting involved,” she said quietly, though her mind was already turning.

The proposed alliance between the Moores and the Hammonds would need to be addressed clearly and directly at Leo’s upcoming birthday celebration.

Outside, Nicolas pushed through the main doors just in time to see Alicia step into a waiting car.

Her assistant was in the front passenger seat, and Alicia herself slid into the back.

His gaze sharpened. There, already seated beside her, was Jason.

Before he could call out or approach, the door closed and the car pulled smoothly away from the curb, leaving Nicolas standing on the steps, his jaw tight and frustration boiling under his skin.

Alicia had blocked his number, his socials, every point of contact. However he tried, he still hadn’t uncovered where she was staying now.

There was no way to reach her. He would have to wait until Leo’s birthday party and hope for a chance to speak with her then.