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21. The decision
Last Updated:
2025-02-15 22:21:38
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Traded 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 : 2025-02-19Traded 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
Last Updated : 2025-02-20Traded 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
Last Updated : 2025-02-21Traded 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
Last Updated : 2025-02-22Traded 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
Last Updated : 2025-02-22
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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
