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47. Things never remains the same
Last Updated:
2025-02-26 20:10:32
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Traded For His First Love 48. Hand sweating
Reese POVI drove in silence, my fingers gripping the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles ached, the leather cool and unyielding under my palms. The weight of the moment pressed against me, a silent storm brewing beneath the surface as the city blurred past—Chicago’s skyline, the hum of traffic, the rhythmic thud of my own heartbeat pounding in my ears. When I finally turned the last corner, Sammy’s school loomed ahead, its red-brick facade a stark silhouette against the late afternoon sky. My stomach churned violently, a knot of nerves twisting tighter with each passing second, threatening to consume me entirely.I slowed the car, carefully maneuvering into a spot near the entrance, the tires crunching softly against the gravel. The parking lot buzzed with the chatter and laughter of parents and children, a scene of normalcy that felt alien, surreal, like a dream I couldn’t quite enter. I turned off the engine, and the sudden silence that followed was vast, heavy, pressing a
Last Updated : 2025-02-26Traded For His First Love 49. The most anticipated meeting
Reese POVThe parking lot was nearly empty, with faint lights casting a soft glow over the parked cars. I stood near my car, waiting for Elliot to emerge with Sammy, my breath shallow and my nerves fraying with every passing second. Time seemed to stretch endlessly, each tick consuming me, making me feel as if my heart might stop. I was still trying to steady myself and make sense of what was about to happen after so long apart.When I finally saw Elliot step out of the school building with Sammy, my body froze. The boy looked at me, stopping mid-step, standing still as if trying to piece together who I was, trying to understand the moment unfolding before him. That look hit me with such force that I nearly couldn’t breathe. His small frame, so familiar yet so changed, stood there under the dim lights, his wide, curious eyes locked on mine, searching for something I wasn’t sure I could offer.I gazed at him, my chest tightening painfully. How he’d grown. So different. I knew he’d ch
Last Updated : 2025-02-26Traded For His First Love 50. The unexpected turn
Reese POVThe ice cream parlor was crowded, filled with laughter and conversations in the background, but it felt like the world around us had stopped. The tension was almost palpable. Elliot and I were trying to make Sammy feel comfortable, but he remained distant, closed off, his gaze fixed on his chocolate ice cream cup as if it were the only thing in the world worth his attention.“So, Sammy,” I began, trying to sound casual, “would you like to meet Avie? She’s adorable. I think you two would get along really well.”My voice came out more cheerful than I actually felt, but my intentions were good. I wanted him to meet his sister, I wanted them to connect in some way. I knew it would take time, but I wanted to take the first step at least.But Sammy didn’t seem excited. He just shook his head and kept staring at the ice cream, as if I hadn’t said anything. “I don’t feel like it,” he replied, not even looking at me.Those words hit me like a blow. I tried to hide the pain, but I kn
Last Updated : 2025-02-27Traded For His First Love 51. Not this time
Reese POVI was still sitting there, staring at the door Sammy had run out of, as if waiting for him to come back. But he didn’t.The weight of his words was crushing me. “You’re not my mom, Lady Venus.”Lady Venus.Not “Mom.” Not Reese. Just a distant name, as if I were some stranger.I felt a knot forming in my throat. I wanted to be strong, to act as if this hadn’t shattered me inside, but it was impossible.The truth was, nothing could have prepared me to hear that from my own son’s mouth. I’d spent years dreaming of this reunion, trying to imagine how it would be. I always knew there would be difficulties, that things wouldn’t be perfect right away, but never, not even in my worst nightmares, had I imagined he would reject me like this.Elliot sighed beside me, rubbing his hands over his face before turning to look at me.“Venus, he didn’t mean it.”“Didn’t he?” My voice came out more bitter than I intended. “Because it sounded pretty clear to me, Elliot. I’m nothing to him.”“He
Last Updated : 2025-02-27Traded For His First Love 52. Facing the devil for you
Spencer POVThe sun blazed mercilessly over the sprawling golf course, its golden rays glinting off the pristine emerald grass and the shimmering artificial lakes that dotted the landscape like polished jewels. I stood in the parking lot of the exclusive Chicago Country Club, my tailored dress shirt already clinging to my back with sweat, as I spotted Alfred Carter leaning against his custom golf cart, his mirrored sunglasses concealing the sharp, calculating eyes I’d come to know so well. The cart, a gleaming black machine adorned with gold accents, screamed wealth and arrogance—much like the man himself.I forced a confident smile as I approached, swallowing the faint discomfort his presence always stirred in me. “Mr. Carter, thank you for letting me meet you today. I’ve always wanted to understand golf better, and there’s no one I’d rather learn from than you.”Alfred raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, clearly pleased by the flattery. His laughter was s
Last Updated : 2025-02-27Traded For His First Love 53. Incongruity
Reese POVThe moment I stepped into the sleek, polished reception of Carter’s Wine, I drew in a deep breath, the air heavy with the rich, woody scent of polished mahogany and the faint floral notes of expensive perfumes worn by the women in high heels clicking across the gleaming marble floor. It was 1993, and the opulence of the building reflected the era’s booming economy—minimalist furniture in deep burgundies and blacks, abstract oil paintings in bold, angular strokes adorning the walls, and brass fixtures casting a warm, strategic glow over the space. Every detail screamed sophistication, a testament to the wealth and influence of the Carter empire, nestled in the heart of Chicago’s financial district.My eyes settled on Josh Carter’s secretary, a poised woman with sharp, square-framed glasses and chestnut hair pulled into an elegant chignon. I approached the sleek marble counter and cleared my throat, hoping to catch her attention without seeming intrusive.“Good morning,” I s
Last Updated : 2025-02-27Traded For His First Love 54. Take the speck first in your eye
Reese POVI strode into Josh Carter’s office without knocking, as I often did—our familiarity granting me that liberty. He was sprawled behind his massive oak desk, his polished loafers propped casually on the edge, a lopsided, carefree grin plastered across his face as if nothing in the world could truly trouble him. The office was expansive, its dark mahogany furniture exuding an air of effortless elegance tinged with Josh’s characteristic disheveled charm. Soft, golden light from the late afternoon filtered through the half-open wooden blinds, casting long, dramatic shadows across the cream-colored walls, where framed vintage wine labels hung in perfect alignment.“Bethany’s out there,” I said, crossing my arms and leaning against the doorframe, my voice laced with a mix of impatience and exasperation. “You shouldn’t leave her waiting like that—or lie about being too busy.”Josh let out a deep, exaggerated sigh, as if my presence were already an inconvenience. He tilted his head b
Last Updated : 2025-02-27Traded For His First Love 55. As a fiancé
Bethany POVI felt utterly ridiculous.There I sat, in the frigid, sterile waiting area of Carter’s Wine, pretending to read a tattered copy of The Bridges of Madison County—a novel I’d grabbed from my purse out of habit—while my mind screamed that I shouldn’t be enduring this. Not me. Not Bethany Skyland.And yet, here I was.And worst of all? I was waiting.I waited while Josh’s secretary, Angela, threw me sidelong glances every so often, her sharp, square-framed glasses glinting under the fluorescent lights as if silently questioning what on earth I was still doing here. Likewise, I waited while I watched Venus stride confidently into Josh’s office without so much as a knock, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I waited even after realizing Josh had deliberately chosen to see her before me, his own fiancée.Furthermore, I swallowed hard, the sting of that realization hitting me like a physical blow—a direct strike to my pride. But I remained seated, chin held high,
Last Updated : 2025-02-27
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Traded For His First Love 136: A Path Full of Thorns
Reese POVThe plane landed in New York with a jolt, the impact snapping me out of the daze I’d been in since leaving Chicago. My small, rain-soaked bag was clutched tightly against my chest, as if it were the only thing keeping me whole. The JFK terminal was a chaos of voices, dragging suitcases, and blinding lights, but it all felt distant, muffled by the one thing consuming my mind: Sammy and Avie, in London with Elliot, so far from me. I had to get to them, had to fix what my lies—about Avie, about Sammy’s custody—had destroyed. Every second standing still was torture, but my body screamed for a moment’s pause, for something to keep me going.I dragged myself to a terminal café, the smell of burnt coffee mixing with the hiss of an espresso machine. “Black coffee, please,” I muttered to the barista, a bored-looking kid who barely glanced at me. My voice was hoarse, my eyes swollen from crying, and I knew I looked a mess, with wet hair plastered to my face and a drenched coat. Whi
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 hummed with the chaotic warmth of morning, a messy symphony that wrapped around my heart even as the world outside threatened to unravel it. Sammy’s giggles filled the air as he smeared syrup across his pancakes, leaving sticky trails on the table, while Avie babbled about her favorite cartoon, her curls bouncing with every wave of her syrup-coated fork. I couldn’t help but smile, their joy a fleeting anchor against the storm brewing inside me. Elliot sat across from me, pouring orange juice into the kids’ cups, his movements steady but his smile tight, shadowed by the same distance I’d felt last night in bed. The memory of those early hours — his arms around me, our bodies entwined, my words about our family’s future — warmed me, but his quiet reserve lingered like a knot I couldn’t untie. I wanted to reach across the table, to ask what was wrong, but the weight of yesterday held me back. Roseanne’s slap still burned, not just on my cheek but in my soul, her
