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13. Set aside
Last Updated:
2025-02-10 00:44:13
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Traded For His First Love 14. A warmuful friend
Reese POVI accepted Alice's invitation with a sigh of relief. Maybe a bit of normalcy, like going shopping, could pull me out of the abyss I was sinking into.We went to the center of London, where the streets were full of life, contrasting with the emptiness I felt inside. Alice was a young, beautiful, and elegant woman, her hair as black as night and her deep blue eyes gentle and comforting. With her cheerful manner, she pulled me from store to store, trying to cheer me up with clothes and accessories."Look at this, Reese! This dress would look amazing on you. Let's try it on?" Alice said, holding up a red dress that sparkled under the store lights."I don't know, Alice. I'm not in the mood," I responded, but she wouldn't take no for an answer."No, no, no. You need to feel beautiful again. Let's go!" Alice insisted, pushing me towards the fitting room with an irresistible smile.As I looked at myself in the mirror wearing the dress, Alice watched me with critical but loving eyes.
Last Updated : 2025-02-10Traded For His First Love 15. Just a great liar
Reese POVWhen I returned home, Alice Davies' words were still fresh in my mind, but the scene I found in the kitchen was like a direct blow to my heart. There was Elliot, cooking for Jennifer, Florence, and Sammy, all laughing and talking as if they were a happy family, with no sign of missing me.The pain in my chest should have been familiar by now, but every day, this house surprised me more. I mean, Elliot had never cooked for me, and there he was, living this moment with Jennifer.I swallowed hard and approached, trying to keep my composure. "Elliot, can we talk?" my voice came out weaker than I wanted.He looked at me, hesitant, before nodding. "Of course, Reese. Just let me finish the sauce," he said, stirring the pot. It was simply rare to see him so dedicated to someone as he was now, but the pain in my chest was now an ally, only helping to confirm my decision.At that moment, I wanted to kiss my son and tell him how much I loved him, but the boy was sitting on Jennifer's l
Last Updated : 2025-02-11Traded For His First Love 16. Faith can be treacherous
Reese POVElliot had said we would take a reconciliation trip, something that seemed like our last chance to save what was left of our marriage. But, like so many other promises, that trip never happened. Days passed, and that monotonous routine I hated so much came back in full force. It was like we were stuck in an endless cycle again, where Elliot continued to ignore my situation, living his life with Jennifer as if I didn't exist.I felt like I was going around in circles, aimless, without hope. And then, I started feeling sick, vomiting frequently, and unable to eat properly. Each morning was a torment, and the smell of the breakfast Jennifer prepared for everyone made it even worse. I told Elliot about my discomfort, hoping for at least a little compassion or concern."Reese, you're acting like a spoiled child. Maybe it's just the flu," he said, without even looking at me, while helping Jennifer set the table.His indifference was like knives in my heart. I decided not to argue
Last Updated : 2025-02-12Traded For His First Love 17. Jennifer's true intentions have always been wide open
Reese POVWhen I returned home, a wave of happiness enveloped me, almost making me forget the pain and confusion I had been feeling. I was eager to tell Elliot about the pregnancy, believing it could be the key to restoring what was left of our marriage. However, as I was going upstairs to find him, Jennifer Durham appeared in my path, with that cynical smile I knew all too well.“Reese! Where have you been?” she asked.“It's none of your business,” I responded curtly. Honestly, what did she want by coming directly to talk to me? Did she think we had some kind of intimacy that would allow her to do this?“Oh, you went out with your little friend? I hope it was fun! Next time, invite me too, so we can spend the whole afternoon shopping together,” she radiated a toxic happiness.I rolled my eyes. “I wouldn't do that even if I were forced. When will you understand that we're not close, let alone friends? Now, get out of my way because I want to talk to my husband,” I said, trying to cont
Last Updated : 2025-02-13Traded For His First Love 18. The watershed
Reese POVWhen Jennifer pushed me into the lake, the shock of the cold was like a punch to the stomach. The icy water enveloped me, and my first instinct was to fight to survive, not just for myself, but for the baby I was carrying. However, in my struggle to stay afloat, I ended up pulling Jennifer into the water with me. She screamed in surprise, and we both flailed in the cold water, nearly drowning.The feeling of panic was overwhelming, and each movement seemed harder than the last, my soaked clothes weighing me down like lead. I heard shouts, but my vision was blurred by water and fear. Then I saw Elliot, running towards the lake, his face marked with concern."Jennifer!" he shouted, diving into the water to save her first.I felt a pang in my heart seeing him pass by me, completely ignoring me while he pulled Jennifer to safety. He seemed so worried about her, so dedicated to saving her, that I felt invisible. When I was finally pulled out of the lake, it was by hands that didn
Last Updated : 2025-02-14Traded For His First Love 19. The day I lost everything
Reese POVWeeks later, I was staring intently at myself in the mirror while preparing to face the inevitable. Each look at myself was a reminder of what was at stake, of the battle I had to fight not just for myself, but for Sammy's future and the baby growing inside me. My reflection showed a woman who had learned to be strong, but also one who carried deep pain, the pain of losing what she thought was eternal.Alice appeared, bringing with her a wave of support and encouragement. "You look beautiful, Reese. And strong. Today is the day to show that to everyone," she said, with a smile that gave me courage.I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Thank you, Alice. I don't know what I would do without you."Together, we went to the judge's chamber, where Spencer, my lawyer, was already waiting for us. He greeted me with a look that combined confidence and concern. "We're ready, Reese. Let's fight for Sammy," he said, with the certainty only a lawyer of his caliber could have.We waited for E
Last Updated : 2025-02-15Traded For His First Love 20. Good riddance
Reese POV"Not everything is lost, Reese. You can appeal," said Spencer, his voice trying to be a beacon in the storm that was my life now. He and Alice were by my side, trying to console me after the court's decision that took away Sammy's custody. But how could I find comfort? My heart was in pieces, defeat sounding like a beacon within me."I'm out of strength, Spencer... How could I appeal when my own son has rejected me?" I asked, my voice almost a whisper, defeated.Elliot and Jennifer didn't even allow me to see Sammy after that. I was desperate, crying inconsolably, feeling like each tear was a piece of my heart dissolving. I felt ridiculous, a terrible mother, for having lost custody of my own son. How had I come to this point where I felt so powerless, so defeated?Alice held my hand, her voice firm yet caring. "You need to be strong, Reese. You need to rise and be powerful to fight on the same level as Elliot."I sighed, wiping my tears and looking back. Elliot was there, o
Last Updated : 2025-02-15Traded For His First Love 21. The decision
Three Years later Elliot POVIt was morning, and I was heading to Sammy's room to wake him up for school. The boy had been getting increasingly sad lately, and the fact that we had moved to Chicago seemed not to have helped.I approached his bed with a sigh, crouching down and pulling back his blanket. "Come on, Sammy. Time to wake up," I said, running my hand over his head.But the boy recoiled, grumbling. "No, please...""But you have to go to school," I said."No, school is boring," he grumbled.I sighed again. Sammy and I were trying to build a new life away from all the noise of London, although living our hearts' truth didn't mean it was easy. "Come on, buddy. You promised me you'd try to make it work."The almost eight-year-old boy sat up in bed, looking at me with a still sleepy expression. "Dad, do you think she misses us?" the boy asked with sorrow.He didn't need to say the name for me to know who he was talking about. It was obvious he was talking about Reese. After our d
Last Updated : 2025-02-15
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Traded For His First Love 110. Morning Light
Reese POV I woke up to my kids’ laughter echoing through the apartment, a sound so alive it almost felt like a gift after the night I’d had. Sammy and Avie were in the kitchen — Sammy’s loud, energetic laugh mixing with Avie’s joyful little squeals — and the smell of fresh coffee and warm pancakes drifted through the air, pulling me out of bed like a thread of hope. My head still throbbed, a leftover from the party that turned into a nightmare, from the ugly fight with Spencer that ended with him dumping me at the door like I was nothing. But those laughs… they were a piece of something I’d lost, something coming back, even if it carried secrets I wasn’t ready to face.I got up slowly, my body heavy with exhaustion and a truth I hadn’t found the courage to tell. I grabbed the blue robe tossed over the chair, tied it around my waist while rubbing my eyes, and followed the sound down the hall. Last night had been a mess — Spencer spitting venom over things I didn’t even fully grasp,
Traded For His First Love 109. Heat of the Night
Alice POVI was on the balcony of Nathalie’s party, the cool night air brushing against my heated skin as Connor pinned me against the railing, his hands firm on my waist and his lips locked on mine in a kiss that was pure fire. The lively music from the ballroom spilled through the glass doors, muffled by the sound of crickets and the light breeze, but I could barely hear anything beyond the rough sound of him against my mouth. Our earlier conversation there— me throwing his flirting with the green-dress brunette in his face, him promising to surprise me — had turned into this: heated making out, his hands sliding up my back under my purple dress, and me losing myself in his warmth despite swearing I wouldn’t fall so easily.“You’re driving me crazy,” he murmured against my neck, his teeth grazing my skin as I arched into him, my heart pounding. His blue eyes glinted in the dim light, and his citrusy scent wrapped around me, pulling me deeper.“You started it,” I shot back, my voic
Traded For His First Love 108. Shelter in the Storm
Venus POV I’d barely shut the apartment door when the buzzer rang, a sharp sound cutting through the heavy silence I was trying to cling to. My body was still trembling, the dress damp from Nathalie’s champagne sticking to my skin, my face faintly stinging where Bethany had slapped me, and Spencer’s words still echoing in my head like knives. I hesitated, my feet frozen on the cold floor, thinking it might be him coming back—maybe regretful, maybe to yell some more. My heart lurched with reluctance, but I dragged myself to the door anyway, opening it with a tired sigh. But when I saw who was there, my shoulders slumped, the weight of the day nearly knocking me over with relief. It was Elliot. He stood in my doorway, his hair mussed by the wind, his green eyes full of a concern I hadn’t expected but that hit me like a bolt. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed him until that moment—not just his presence, but the way he saw me, as Reese, not the Venus everyone seemed to hate now.
Traded For His First Love 108. Fractured Trust
Venus POV The low rumble of Spencer’s car engine was the only sound filling the silence between us as he drove through Chicago’s dark streets, the streetlights streaking past the window like blurs. I was slumped in the passenger seat, my blue dress still damp from Nathalie’s champagne clinging to my skin, my face faintly stinging where Bethany had slapped me in the parking lot. My head was a mess—the party had started so well, with laughter, light conversation, a moment with Elliot on the balcony that nearly made me forget everything. But then it all crashed into a nightmare I couldn’t wrap my mind around. The humiliation in front of everyone, the accusations from Nathalie, Jennifer, and Bethany, and now this—Spencer driving me home with a look that said he was holding a volcano inside him. I ran a hand over my face, trying to wipe away the last of the dried champagne prickling my skin, and felt the weight of his gaze even without turning to him. The silence was suffocating, and
Traded For His First Love 106. Breaking the Chains
Josh POV I was standing near the door of Nathalie’s party, the cold night air hitting my face as the sound of Spencer’s car tires faded into the distance. What had just gone down in the parking lot—Bethany chasing after Venus and slapping her across the face—was still spinning in my head like a movie I didn’t want to watch. I’d seen it all from the entrance, the way Bethany screamed, the pure hatred in her eyes, her hand smacking Venus like she was a punching bag. And I knew, deep down, that this was one of the reasons I didn’t want to marry her. It wasn’t just that I didn’t love her—though that was true—but because Bethany had a rotten soul, a darkness that twisted my stomach every time I saw her lose it like that. I wasn’t some saint, and I didn’t pretend to be. The engagement to Bethany was my dad’s doing, a move to tie our families together, his business with hers, and I’d even thought it might work out. Maybe, with time, I could fall for her—she was pretty, had a fire that s
Traded For His First Love 105. The Sting of Victory
Bethany POV Watching Venus get humiliated in front of everyone had been like a balm—every shout from Nathalie, every drop of champagne running down that perfect face, every shocked stare in the room felt like I was cashing in on a piece of the pain I’d been carrying in my chest for so long. I was leaning against a table near the bar, arms crossed, my heart still racing with pure satisfaction as the echo of Nathalie’s shattering glass replayed in my head. Venus was everything I wasn’t—beautiful, desired, with that effortless charm that made everyone like her, even Josh, my fiancé. But now, drenched and kicked out, she was imperfect for the first time, and for the first time, I felt special. Jennifer was beside me, laughing softly as she swirled her sparkling wine, the bubbles rising like they were toasting our victory. “Did you see her face, Bethany?” she said, her tone light but dripping with that venom I loved. “She looked like a wet dog trying to explain herself. Pathetic.”
Traded For His First Love 104. Soaked in Shame
Venus POV The party at Nathalie’s was starting to wind down—the golden lights still glowed, but the music had softened, and the little clusters of people were breaking apart, some grabbing coats, others exchanging goodbye hugs. I was near the door, Spencer at my side with that look like he couldn’t wait to leave, and I was trying to say my farewells to a few acquaintances so we could get out of there. My heart was still racing from the almost-kiss with Elliot on the balcony, and all I wanted was to get home, take a hot shower, and pretend this night hadn’t turned me inside out. “Nice seeing you, Clara,” I said, smiling at a friend of Nathalie’s I knew from other events. She was in a shiny green dress, holding a nearly empty glass, and gave me a friendly nod. “You too, Venus. Take care, okay?” she replied, her tone light as she turned to grab her purse. I nodded, adjusting the strap of my blue dress—which was still clinging to my back from the party’s heat—and glanced at Spenc
Traded For His First Love 103. Venom in the Air
Jennifer POV The party at Nathalie’s was still buzzing—the hall aglow with those golden lights that screamed luxury, the loud music making the floor tremble, and the air thick with the scent of champagne and expensive perfume. I was leaning against a column near the drink table, a gin in hand, the ice clinking as I watched the crowd. But my focus was all on Bethany, a few steps away, her eyes narrowed and fists clenched, spitting venom like she owned the place. She was ranting about Reese—or Venus, as everyone but Elliot called her—and I could almost see the hatred rolling off her in waves. “You saw that, Jennifer? It’s so obvious that bitch wants my fiancé,” she snarled, her voice dripping with rage as she jerked her chin toward Reese across the room. There she was, the elegant woman in that perfect blue dress, smiling and chatting with her friends, her loose hair falling over her shoulders like she didn’t have a care in the world. “The way she looked at Josh? What a slut! I b
Traded For His First Love 102. Echoes Over the Lake
Venus POV The balcony at Nathalie’s house was a breath of calm amidst the storm of the party—the cool breeze blew in from Lake Michigan on the horizon, where the dark water swallowed the city lights like an upside-down sky. I was leaning against the railing, the cold metal pressing into my arms, the wind playing with my hair, and Elliot was beside me, close enough that I could feel his warmth without even touching. The noise of the party inside—the loud music, the laughter, the clinking glasses—felt like a distant echo, and I let my eyes drift to the serene line of the lake, the peace of that place wrapping around me like a blanket I didn’t know I craved. Alice and Connor were still in their little corner, murmuring and giggling, but my mind was all on Elliot, as it always was. I took a deep breath, the chilly air filling my chest, and the words slipped out before I could hold them back. “You know, Elliot… sometimes, in my craziest moments, I wonder what it’d be like if we’d wor
