Chapter 131
Chapter 129
Chapter 129
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 p>
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.
1
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 p>
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 p>
Nicolas pulled out his phone, opened X, and typed in the handle.
As the account loaded, a new post appeared at the top.
08:51 Sat, May 9 N
Chapte
Nicole TodayAlso TryingHerBest: Saw him singing and dancing today. Completely swept me away all over again p>
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 p>
Hearing her words, Nicolas inwardly sighed, ‘Is she trying to help or make things worse? Alicia is right
here p>
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 p>
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 p>
She paused meaningfully. “Whether you remain a Hammond or not, it is you Nicolas is meant to marry p>
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.
08:51 Sat, May 9 10
Chapte x TOF
“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 p>
Haley had indeed come to see her once after it all happened, shifting blame as she relayed exactly that.
Alt.13 held Diana’s gaze steadily. “If it were you, Mrs. Moore, would you marry a man who treated you that
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.