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17. Jennifer's true intentions have always been wide open
Last Updated:
2025-02-13 23:09:06
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Traded 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 : 2025-02-15Traded For His First Love 22. Venus
Elliot POVThe day started with a firm handshake with Joshua Carter, a young billionaire and CEO of a renowned wine producer. Joshua was a long-time friend who had invited me to work with him here in Chicago."Welcome to the team, Elliot. I'm glad you accepted," said Joshua, with a broad smile as he shook my hand."Thanks, Josh. I'm eager to start," I responded, feeling a mix of anxiety and hope. It was a new chance, a new life for me and Sammy.Joshua laughed, giving a friendly pat on my shoulder. "And let's not forget, you're invited to my engagement party tonight. It's going to be quite the event.""Of course, I wouldn't miss it for anything," I said, trying to sound enthusiastic, although my heart wasn't really in the mood for parties.He continued, the excitement evident on his face. "Bethany hired the best event planner in the city. A mysterious woman named Venus. She's the most sought-after among Chicago's men.""Really?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Seems like you're setting
Last Updated : 2025-02-16Traded For His First Love 23. The inevitable meeting
Reese POVThere, seated at the piano at the engagement party of young entrepreneur Josh Carter and his fiancée Bethany Skyland, immersed in a performance that had become my escape and my expression, my soul vibrated with each note. But when my eyes, almost by chance, found Elliot in the midst of the room, the world seemed to stop.It had been so long since I had last seen him that, for a moment, I thought my eyes were deceiving me. But there he was, at that engagement party, as real as the keys beneath my fingers.On the outside, I maintained the serenity that characterized me now, but inside, a whirlwind of emotions and past traumas stirred. A thousand thoughts collided in my mind: "Should I get up and run? Ignore him? Pretend I don't know him? Keep him away?" But then, I remembered that time had passed, and I was no longer that vulnerable woman. Now, I was Venus, a new version of myself, strong and independent.I kept my fingers on the piano, continuing to play, but my mind wandered
Last Updated : 2025-02-17Traded For His First Love 24. Like a phoenix
Elliot POVWhen I saw Reese at that engagement party of the young entrepreneur Josh Carter, her there playing the piano, her fingers delicately playing a melody so well-known to both of us, the sensation I felt was as if my heart wanted to leap out of my mouth. I really didn't expect to see her in that place, after all the places I had searched for her over all this time, to find her so randomly when I least expected it truly caught me by surprise.And Reese was such a different woman that I almost didn't recognize her. Her hair, her makeup, her clothes, they made her look like another woman I didn't know, but her mannerisms were still there, her voice and her gaze too, especially when her beautiful hazel eyes locked onto me.I saw a slight agitation form in her look when she recognized me, proving to me that she was as surprised as I was. "So this is where you've been hiding, my love?" My eyes asked this, conveying the tenderness I was feeling inside.Reese returned to playing her pi
Last Updated : 2025-02-18Traded For His First Love 25. Confession
Reese POVWhen Spencer introduced me to my ex-husband as his wife, it made me look at him with a question mark in my eyes. No, I wasn't married to him; I wasn't married to anyone, actually. My life in recent years had been too hectic to add love to it.I mean, I was chasing opportunities and achieving my goals—becoming an independent woman, in control of myself, and autonomous, which hadn't been easy at all. But nowadays, I could say I had reached a certain status even in the entire city; my event company was in high demand, and they even said my piano performance was the cherry on top of the night. Creating all this from scratch hadn’t been easy, even with my friends' help, so I had chosen to disconnect from everything else and focus on my growth. After all, I had this goal, and no matter how many years passed, I would gather everything necessary to achieve it.So at first, I didn't understand where Spence was going with introducing me to Elliot as his wife—something that wasn't tru
Last Updated : 2025-02-19
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Traded For His First Love 33. Spencer, the protector
Reese POVI woke up to a soft noise, followed by giggles and jumps on the bed. It didn’t take long for me to feel the mattress shaking and a small hand tapping my arm."Mommy, wake up! Come on, Mommy!" Avie exclaimed with an energy I only had in my youth. She bounced to the top of the bed and looked at me with shining eyes. "Guess what? Uncle Spence is in the kitchen making us breakfast!"I opened my eyes slowly, still fighting off sleep. "Uncle Spence?" I grumbled, trying to process it. "Is it time for all this already?"She nodded, bursting with energy and laughing. "Yes! He’s making pancakes with chocolate syrup! Come on!"That idea got me up faster. "Chocolate syrup, huh?" I smiled at her as I got out of bed. "You sure know how to convince me."Avie ran ahead, already forgetting I was still trying to get myself together. I slipped on my robe, ran a hand through my hair, and followed her to the kitchen.When we walked into the kitchen, I saw Spencer with his back turned, flipping p
Traded For His First Love 32. Hope
Elliot POVThe next morning, I woke up early, more energized than usual. I prepared a hearty breakfast, something I hadn’t done in ages: golden pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh juice. The sweet smell of the batter frying filled the kitchen, bringing a sense of normalcy I hadn’t felt since leaving London behind. It was as if, somehow, I was trying to make up for all the lost mornings, all the moments I let slip away with my family. As I set the table, my mind danced between hope and guilt, a whirlwind that had been my constant companion since I found Reese at Josh Carter’s engagement party.I climbed the stairs, my heart beating faster with each step, and entered Sammy’s room. "Hey, champ, time to wake up," I called, gently shaking his shoulder.He mumbled something unintelligible and turned to the other side, burying his face in the pillow. I chuckled softly, a sound almost foreign, and sat on the edge of the bed, feeling the weight of the moment. This was more than just a breakfa
Traded For His First Love 31. The bargain
Spencer POV"But why don’t you want to marry Bethany?" I asked, trying to make sense of the situation.Josh leaned against the wall, arms crossed, with an expression that screamed exhaustion, like he was tired of everything. He stared at me for a moment, as if he wanted to have more patience but just couldn’t. Finally, he sighed, running a hand through his hair, already starting to lose his cool. "Because I don’t love Bethany, Spencer. Is that so hard to understand?"I furrowed my brow, still not fully grasping the reason behind his refusal. "But she’s young, beautiful, and from a good family. You two make a great couple, and she clearly loves you for real. Isn’t that how the world works? Isn’t that enough for you?"He let out a hollow laugh, almost like a reflex of frustration. "Sure, Spencer, because that’s what matters, right? Looks, status, convenient matches. But what about what I want? What I feel? You’re forgetting about me in all of this."Those words caught me off guard. Josh
Traded For His First Love 30. Friends as far as it suits
Spencer POVThe party was in full swing, packed with people laughing, drinking, and dancing. The bar was crowded, the waiters barely keeping up with serving everyone, and the music made the floor shake, almost like the whole room was about to explode with energy. But I couldn’t care less about enjoying it. Something was eating at me, a problem I couldn’t put off. I needed to talk to Josh Carter today.I held my whiskey glass, trying to look relaxed as I moved through the room, stopping here and there to greet some guests. The crowd was buzzing, but my head was racing, thinking about Venus, about Reese, about the pain she still carried – and the nightmare of having Elliot Goodwin around again."Spencer, my man!" someone yelled, and when I turned, I saw two guys I’d drunk and laughed with on many nights. One of them slapped my shoulder, almost knocking my glass out of my hand. "You’ve been MIA, huh? How’s life?""Better than ever," I lied, forcing a smile. "And you guys?""Ah, same old,
Traded For His First Love 29. Resilience
Elliot POVThe night was cold, and the streets of Chicago seemed to hold their breath beneath the faint glow of the streetlights. I was there, inside my car, parked beneath Reese’s building. My fingers drummed on the steering wheel, an echo of the tension coursing through my body as I stared at the lit windows above. I had followed her here after the party – an impulsive act I knew could cost me dearly. But how could I just leave after seeing her, after years of searching for her?Alice had been clear in her threat. "Stay away from her, Elliot, or I swear I’ll sue you until there’s nothing left," she’d said, with that cutting look that made me feel small, like the villain in a story I had written myself. And maybe I was, but that didn’t change the fact that I couldn’t let this opportunity slip away. Not after so long, after so many cities, after so many regrets piling up.I wasn’t a danger to Reese. On the contrary, all I wanted was her well-being – and Sammy’s. My heart raced just th
Traded For His First Love 28. How I hate him!
Reese POVThe car glided through the dark streets of Chicago, the soft hum of the engine the only sound filling the silence I so desperately needed. Mr. Brown, my private driver, steered with his usual calm, his eyes fixed on the road while I lost myself in thoughts in the back seat. He didn’t say anything beyond his initial greeting, respecting the heaviness that seemed to radiate from me, as if he could sense I needed that space to breathe, to think.I couldn’t get Elliot’s words out of my head. They echoed like a relentless drum, each syllable laden with a meaning I didn’t want to confront. He said he was sorry, that he had divorced Jennifer, that he wanted me back. Good Lord, what was I supposed to do with that? My mind spun in circles, trying to find sense where there might be none. Part of me screamed not to trust him again, to remember every betrayal, every blow he had dealt me.But another part, small, fragile, and full of hope, whispered: what if it’s true?I wanted to bel
Traded For His First Love 27. Shaken
Reese POVI was still on the balcony, gazing at the dark sky, trying to focus on the sound of the leaves rustling in the wind. My mind was trapped in the last conversation I’d had with Elliot Goodwin, and I still couldn’t fathom how everything had shifted so quickly."Reese!" Alice’s voice cut through my thoughts abruptly. She approached me with haste, her steps determined and firm, as if she were ready to wage a war. "He’s a first-class jerk! How dare he show up here, after everything he did, and then bother you on top of it? And how are you, darling?"I looked at her but couldn’t answer right away. Alice had always been my number one defender. She was fierce when it came to protecting the people she loved, and I knew Elliot showing up at the party had infuriated her as much as it had me. Her eyes were filled with indignation and concern, a combination I knew well."I’m fine," I lied. My voice sounded weak, and it was obvious even I didn’t believe it. Alice frowned, crossing her arm
Traded For His First Love 26. How many lies will this man tell more?
Reese POVI stood there, frozen, not knowing what to say, staring at him as if he were a hallucination in the middle of a desert. His words echoed in my mind, but I simply couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He was sorry? He wanted me back? After everything?I had never allowed myself to forget my son. Never. Every day since he was torn from me, I remembered him. Every victory of mine, every step I took, it was all so that one day I could pull him from Elliot Goodwin’s grasp. I hated that man with every fiber of my being. He destroyed me, discarded me as if I were nothing. And now he was here, begging me to come back to him. As if it were that simple."Reese..." His voice was hoarse, thick with emotion. But I didn’t trust it. Not anymore. "I separated from Jennifer. She never meant anything. I don’t know how I listened to my mother and her. I was blind, I made mistakes, but I never stopped loving you. I moved to Chicago with Sammy. He misses you. He wants you there."I felt a pang in
Traded For His First Love 25. Confession
Reese POVWhen Spencer introduced me to my ex-husband as his wife, it made me look at him with a question mark in my eyes. No, I wasn't married to him; I wasn't married to anyone, actually. My life in recent years had been too hectic to add love to it.I mean, I was chasing opportunities and achieving my goals—becoming an independent woman, in control of myself, and autonomous, which hadn't been easy at all. But nowadays, I could say I had reached a certain status even in the entire city; my event company was in high demand, and they even said my piano performance was the cherry on top of the night. Creating all this from scratch hadn’t been easy, even with my friends' help, so I had chosen to disconnect from everything else and focus on my growth. After all, I had this goal, and no matter how many years passed, I would gather everything necessary to achieve it.So at first, I didn't understand where Spence was going with introducing me to Elliot as his wife—something that wasn't tru
