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28. How I hate him!
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-02-22 00:21:12
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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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-22Traded 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,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-22Traded 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-22Traded 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-22Traded 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-23Traded For His First Love 34. Trying to return to normal
Reese POVThe rest of the morning passed slowly.It was then that I realized the best thing I could do that day was to occupy my mind with something else. Something that really mattered. Like work. I had been drifting too far from the things that truly helped me maintain balance. And, if I were honest with myself, work made me feel alive, helped me stay grounded.I took Avie’s hand, with a lightness that helped me momentarily divert from the mental chaos overwhelming me. She was as excited as ever. It was always like this: when I made a decision and put it into action, she got thrilled and seemed to forget any troubles. She had an energy that made me forget everything around me. I felt that, if she could be like this, maybe I could too."Mom, will there be lots of food today?" Avie asked, swinging her arm alongside mine. "I hope so, because Uncle Spence makes the best stuff!"I smiled at her, gently patting her head. "There won’t be pancakes today, but there’ll be a delicious lunch, d
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-24Traded For His First Love 35. Priorities
Elliot POVAs soon as everyone was gathered, the murmur of side conversations gradually quieted when Joshua Carter entered the room. He wore his usual impeccable suit, his eyes scanning each of us, assessing the atmosphere."Good morning, everyone," he said with a brief nod. "I hope you’re all prepared."That simple sentence was enough to straighten everyone’s posture around the table."We can start the meeting," Joshua continued, placing a folder on the table and opening it with precision. "There’s a lot to discuss today, and I want objectivity.""Are we all on board with the plan for the new production line?" Carter’s voice echoed through the conference room. His gaze swept over all of us, evaluating each person as if he already knew where the mistakes were before we even pointed them out."Yes," I responded firmly. "The equipment has been ordered, and the team starts testing next week. We’ve also aligned with the distributors to ensure everything arrives on time."Before I could co
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-24Traded For His First Love 36. Digging his own grave
Elliot POVAs soon as the door to the meeting room closed behind me, I let out a heavy sigh. My head was throbbing, and the weight of the conversation that had just happened still pressed on my chest. My talk with Josh had been a clear warning. He didn’t even need to say it outright.I needed to go to the legal department. Urgently.I was screwed.It wasn’t even a matter of speculation or exaggeration. I was genuinely screwed.I walked down the hallway without hesitation, my mind racing. A few employees greeted me as I passed, but I just nodded back, not stopping."Good morning, Mr. Goodwin.""Mr. Goodwin."I didn’t have time for small talk. Or patience.I ran a hand over my face as I strode down the corridor, feeling a cold knot in my stomach that worsened with each step. I knew, sooner or later, I’d end up at this point. After what happened at Josh’s engagement party, after what I said to Reese, it was obvious things would unravel. At least, that’s the only reason I could see for D
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-24
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Traded For His First Love 135: A Race Against Time
Reese POVThe living room felt smaller, as if the walls were closing in around me, every shadow a cruel reminder of Sammy and Avie’s absence. I was sitting on the couch, knees pulled to my chest, clutching Avie’s favorite toy and Sammy’s baseball, my face still wet with tears that wouldn’t stop falling.Because they left in such a hurry, my kids couldn’t even take the things they were so attached to. Elliot, what have you done…? I was weak, my mind foggy, unable to think of anything but how much I missed my children, Elliot’s betrayal, and the consequences of my mistakes. I was devastated.Alice and Connor stood before me, their voices soft but firm, trying to anchor me as the world crumbled. The house, which hours ago had echoed with the promise of a plan to get my kids back, now felt like a cage, trapping me in Chicago while Elliot took Sammy and Avie to London, with Jennifer by his side.“Venus, you need to prepare legally,” Alice said, sitting in the armchair, her eyes full of con
Traded For His First Love 134. A Heart Divided
Elliot POVThe interior of the private jet felt smaller with each passing hour, the space cramped not by its size but by the suffocating presence of Jennifer Durham. The hum of the engines was a constant drone,steady noise, but it didn’t drown out the sound of her voice, sharp as a blade, as she berated a flight attendant. “This is lukewarm coffee,” she said, pushing the cup back at the young woman, whose face flushed with embarrassment. “What do you think I am? An economy passenger? Bring me another, and make it decent this time.” The attendant mumbled an apology, hurrying to the back of the plane, while Jennifer rolled her eyes, adjusting her pearl necklace with an exaggerated flourish.I watched her from my seat, anger simmering beneath the surface. Jennifer was insufferable, always had been, but now, with her haughty demeanor, she seemed determined to make every second of this flight a living hell. She leaned toward one of the other staff, a man organizing the bar, and pointed
Traded For His First Love 133. A Flight Full of Shadows
Elliot POVThe steady hum of the private jet cut through the silence, a monotonous reminder that we were thousands of feet above the Atlantic, leaving Chicago behind. Avie slept in my lap, her little face serene, the bottle still between her lips, her slight weight an anchor in the chaos my life had become. Lately, she’d been clinging to me more, always seeking my lap, my hand, and now I understood why. It wasn’t just a child’s affection—it was the bond of father and daughter, a truth Jennifer threw in my face days ago, changing everything. Knowing Avie was mine, by blood, made my heart swell with love, but it also hurt, like an open wound, because Reese had hidden it from me for years.Carefully, I stood, settling Avie on the jet’s sofa-bed, tucking a blanket over her. Her curls fanned out on the pillow, and I ran a hand over my face, trying to shake the guilt chasing me. I’d done what I had to, right? Taking the kids and leaving was to protect them, to keep them with me, away fro
Traded For His First Love 132. A Thread of Hope in the Storm
Reese POVThe silence in the house was a crushing weight, every empty corner a cruel reminder of Sammy, Avie, and Elliot, who were no longer here. I was curled up on the couch, my eyes swollen from crying, the phone silent after countless unanswered calls to Elliot and the devastating conversation with Josh, who confirmed that Elliot had quit and was planning to return to London. The pain of losing my children was a tightness in my chest, a wound that throbbed with every breath, and the guilt—for hiding the truth about Avie, for not trusting Elliot—was suffocating. When I heard the sound of keys in the door, my heart leapt, but it wasn’t Elliot. It was Alice, and beside her, Connor, the two of them inseparable now, like a shadow of light in the midst of my chaos.Alice rushed to me, arms open, and I threw myself into her embrace, sobs returning with force. “Venus, my God,” she murmured, holding me tightly against her chest, her warmth a stark contrast to the cold consuming me. “I’m h
Traded For His First Love 131. An Unbearable Void
Reese POVThe silence in the house was deafening, a mute scream echoing in every empty corner. I was sitting on the couch, my legs tucked under me, the phone still warm in my hand after yet another unanswered call to Elliot. Avie’s plate, with a half-eaten pancake, sat on the kitchen table, a cruel relic of the breakfast that now felt like it belonged to another life. Sammy, Avie, Elliot—they weren’t here. The house, which hours ago had buzzed with laughter and chaos, was now a tomb, and the dread gripping my chest was so overwhelming I could barely breathe.Spencer’s words still reverberated in my head, each syllable a blow: “Elliot knows he’s Avie’s real father… He’s going back to London with your kids.” I didn’t want to believe it, couldn’t, but the empty house was evidence I couldn’t ignore. I ran through the rooms again, opening closets, searching for any sign—a backpack, a toy, a note—but there was nothing. Sammy’s sneakers, always scattered around, were gone. Avie’s teddy be
Traded For His First Love 130. A House Too Quiet
Reese POV The air in Spencer’s apartment felt thick, suffocating, as his words landed like a blow to my chest: “Elliot’s heading back to London soon — with his kids.” My heart stopped, the world tilting around me. Avie, my Avie, his daughter? How could he know? How could Elliot know? The question burned, but Spencer’s mocking smile, his voice dripping with venom, held the answer before I could even ask. I stood frozen, my hands trembling, the industrial decor of his bachelor pad blurring as his accusation echoed in my mind.“What do you mean, he knows?” I managed, my voice barely a whisper, my throat tight with dread. “How does Elliot know about Avie?”Spencer leaned against the counter, his eyes cold, the warmth I’d once trusted in him gone. “Jennifer told him,” he said, his tone almost gleeful, like he was savoring my unraveling. “She cornered him, spilled the whole truth — that Avie’s his, not mine, not anyone else’s. And you know what, Venus? He’s done with you. He’s planning t
Traded For His First Love 129. Shattered Trust
Reese POV “Reese…?” Spencer gasped as he opened the door to me. He clearly hadn’t expected me to show up at his place; I hadn’t warned him beforehand, precisely because I didn’t want him coming up with excuses to avoid me. Spencer and I had a lot to talk about.“It’s Venus to you, darling,” I said, my voice sharp as I stepped into his apartment without waiting for permission. “My real name is reserved for the truly intimate people in my life, if you catch my drift.”The place was spacious, with industrial decor that screamed single guy’s bachelor pad. “You won’t believe it, but I met your wife,” I said, sarcasm dripping from every word. “She’s so charming, treated me so well. But I’m sure you already know that, don’t you?”Spencer sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I heard about it. Alice told me Roseanne went to see you,” he admitted.In that moment, something broke inside me, a crack splintering through my heart. I’d clung to the hope that Roseanne was anything but his
Traded For His First Love 128. Facing the Storm
Reese POV The kitchen was alive with the chaos of morning, the kind of messy, beautiful noise that made my heart feel full even when everything else was crumbling. Sammy was giggling, smearing syrup on his pancakes, while Avie babbled about a cartoon, her curls bouncing as she waved a sticky fork. Elliot sat across from me, pouring orange juice into their cups, his smile soft but strained, the same shadow in his eyes I’d noticed last night in bed. The memory of our early morning — his arms around me, the heat of our bodies, the words I’d said about our family — warmed me, but that quiet distance in him lingered, a knot of worry I couldn’t untangle.I pushed a piece of pancake around my plate, my appetite dulled by the weight of what lay ahead. Roseanne’s slap, her accusations, the way my employees had looked at me — it all churned in my mind, a storm I couldn’t escape. I’d spent yesterday broken, leaning on Elliot to hold me together, but today, I needed answers. Spencer owed me th
Traded For His First Love 127. A Silent Fracture
Elliot POV The bedroom was cloaked in the hush of four a.m., the kind of stillness that made every thought feel louder, heavier. I lay beside Reese, her body curled against mine, her warmth a stark contrast to the cold knot of betrayal in my chest. The day had been a storm — her desperate call, the way she’d collapsed against me outside Lunaris Event, the story of Roseanne’s slap and accusations spilling from her lips. I’d held her, promised to confront Spencer, brought her home, and tucked her in, but now, in the quiet, Jennifer’s words from the garage haunted me: “Avie is your daughter, Elliot. Reese has been lying to you.” The truth — if it was the truth — was a blade, and it was cutting me open.Reese stirred, her breath soft against my neck, and I turned to look at her. The faint moonlight slipping through the curtains traced her face — the curve of her cheek, the lashes resting against her skin, the vulnerability that made my heart ache even now. She’d been through hell toda
