Rising From Betrayal Reborn As The Family Outcast novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

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Since Alicia was still mixing the medicine, she put the call on speaker.

Maxwell’s voice came through. “Alicia, why did you block

my number?”

When Alicia heard his voice, she couldn’t help but snort, “Damn, what rotten luck.”

If she’d known it was Maxwell calling, she wouldn’t have bothered to pick up.

Maxwell was taken aback. “What did you just say?”

Alicia didn’t hold back. “I said it’s bad luck to get a call from you.”

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She continued, “Last week, I told Kevin that I’m cutting ties with the Hammonds, Collin, Nicolas, and you. I asked him to let everyone know. Didn’t he tell you?”

Maxwell’s eyes widened. “Are you crazy? You can’t just throw around words like cutting ties.

“Come on, is it really worth all this drama just because I missed your show?”

Alicia snapped, “Of course it is. It’s not just once or twice. It’s happened way too many times.

“And isn’t everyone saying I’m just trying to use my connection to Nicole or that whole childhood friend thing with Nicolas?”

She sneered, “Someone like me, a blacklisted actress hated by the whole internet, could never even dream of rubbing shoulders with you people with your fancy backgrounds, let alone get anything out of it.

“So let’s just end things once and for all. And let Collin know this, okay? I’m not going to go around telling everyone myself.”

Since Kevin probably hadn’t passed the message along, she figured she’d just lay it all out for everyone at

once.

Maxwell and Alicia had been together since they were kids, so he knew her better than anyone else.

He knew well that if she didn’t mean it, she’d never say it out loud.

Otherwise, it’d be way too harsh and mess things up between them.

That was why he just couldn’t accept it. “You’re my cousin. Why would you need to fake a connection?

“What the crap did you just say? That’s just way too harsh.”

He asked, “Seriously, what’s going on with you? Why are you suddenly cutting everyone off?”

Alicia replied, “It’s not sudden. I’ve just reached my limit after putting up with you all for so long.”

Maxwell was silent for a moment before asking, “Is this all because of Nicole?”

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Chapter 17

Alicia replied, “Nicole and her mother were just the last straw.

“They never meant anything to me, but you were my family, the ones I cared about most.

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“Back then, I put up with everything because I cared about you. No matter how much I had to swallow my pride or how much it hurt, I still put up with it for your sake.

“But now, I’ve wised up. You never deserved me.

“I’m really done with you all. You pieces of shit, get as far away from me as you possibly can.”

Maxwell’s face turned grim. “Alicia, if you’re mad at me, just say whatever you need to, but please, don’t talk to me like that.”

Honestly, he’d rather Alicia go back to her old self, arguing with them with that serious face, flipping tables, stomping on his feet, or giving him that glare.

He’d even prefer if she just hit him. But hearing her sound so cold and like she didn’t care at all was something he really couldn’t handle.

He pressed his lips together. “It hurts to hear you say that.”

Alicia let out a cold laugh. “Like I give a damn if you’re hurting.”

Maxwell had his phone on speaker as well.

Unable to hold back, Nicolas chimed in, “Alicia, it hurts me too. Please, don’t be like this.”

He felt a sharp pang in his chest.

Alicia scoffed, “You guys are way too sensitive. Back when you were always criticizing and looking down on me, I never made such a big deal out of it.

“Since we’re done, just don’t contact me anymore. Seriously, it’s getting on my nerves.”

Nicolas was furious. “Done? What do you mean, done? I’m not okay with this.”

Maxwell shouted from the side, “Yeah, me neither.”

Alicia said with icy indifference, “I’m cutting ties with you, and what you think doesn’t matter to me at all.

“Enough. There’s nothing left to talk about. That’s all.”

Just as she was about to hang up, Jason handed her a glass of water.

She said, “Just put it on the table. Thanks.”

Jason replied, “No biggie.”

Nicolas and Maxwell could hear their conversation on the other side too.

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Chapter 17

Nicolas immediately lost his mind. “Alicia, who are you with? Is it Jason?”

Alicia shot back, “Who I’m with is none of your business.”

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Nicolas’s face turned even gloomier. “Did Jason say something to you? Is he the reason you’re stirring up all this drama with us?”

He went on, “That guy’s got beef with me. Don’t let him egg you on. He’s nothing but a scheming psycho.

“And don’t start acting like him, always making trouble with your own family on purpose.”

Alicia rolled her eyes. “I’m cutting you all off because I finally woke up and realized it for myself. It’s got nothing to do with him.”

She snarked, “Can you ever take a look in the mirror instead of blaming everyone else for your problems?”

Jason was sitting right next to Alicia. He piped up, “Nicolas, I’m the kind of guy who holds a grudge. You talk smack about me. I won’t forget it.”

When Nicolas heard Jason’s voice, his voice rose with anger. “Jason Farrell, if you’ve got beef, bring it to me.

“If you’re cozying up to Alicia just to screw with us, that’s just plain dirty.”

Just the idea of Alicia hitting it off with Jason made Nicolas sick.

He shouted again, “Alicia, stay away from him. He’s bad news.”

Alicia snapped, “Nicolas, if you’re sick, go get yourself treated. Stop acting crazy on the phone.

“And let me make this crystal clear: don’t ever reach out to me again. We’re nothing to each other now.”

Before either of them could get another word in, she hung up.

After hanging up, Alicia gave Jason an apologetic look. “Sorry, you got dragged into this mess.”

Jason just waved it off. “Doesn’t matter. I never got along with them to begin with.”

He shot her a knowing glance. “You’re really determined to cut them off this time, huh?”

He’d seen for himself just how fiercely Alicia used to defend Nicolas and Maxwell.

But now, it was clear she was truly fed up and ready to cut them off for good.

Honestly, he hadn’t expected that from her.

Alicia just shrugged. “I just finally woke up. They don’t see me as real family, so let’s just walk our own ways.”

Jason let out a soft chuckle. “Can’t agree more. Just say goodbye to those who don’t cherish you.”

Jason did the same, but the price he paid was steep.

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It was the first time Alicia had ever seen him smile. She jokied, “Hey, you look pretty damn good when you smile. You should do it more often.”

Alicia thought, ‘This guy used to outshine Nicolas, Maxwell, and Caleb, always holding the top campus crush spot. His looks are seriously next level.

‘If he enters showbiz, he’ll have fangirls lining up for miles.’

Jason let out a helpless laugh. “Thanks for the compliment.”

Alicia handed him the packet of herbs. “Go soak with these. When you’re done, I’ll do the acupuncture for you.”

She reminded him of a few things to watch out for.

Jason took the packet. “Got it.”

Then he wheeled himself into the master bathroom.

Alicia sat in the living room, playing on her phone as she waited.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Nicolas just lost his mind and smashed the wine glass he was holding.

He grabbed Maxwell’s phone and started dialing Alicia again.

But she immediately hung up, then blocked that number.

He borrowed another phone and tried calling again, but she hung up on him all over again.

When he tried one last time, her phone was already switched off.

Nicolas was driven crazy.

His face went dark as he slammed his fist on the table. “Weren’t they always at odds before? Alicia even threw down with that bastard for me.

“How the hell is she hanging out with Jason Farrell now?”

To Nicolas, it felt like a total betrayal. He just couldn’t

accept

1. it.