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53. Incongruity
Last Updated:
2025-02-27 01:24:26
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Traded 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 : 2025-02-27Traded For His First Love 56. Fighting for you
Reese POVI slid into my car and slammed the door with more force than necessary, my fingers gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. My mind was a whirlwind, thoughts tumbling over one another in a chaotic loop.I didn’t want to do this. I didn’t want to have this conversation. But something deep inside me insisted that if I didn’t go now, I might never muster the courage to face it.I let out a heavy sigh and turned the key in the ignition. The low rumble of the engine filled the silence, grounding me just enough to focus. I shifted into gear and pulled out of the parking lot, barely registering the route as I drove.My thoughts were consumed by Sammy’s words, the sadness and confusion etched into his face when he’d rejected me at the ice cream parlor. “You’re not my mom, lady Venus.” The memory twisted like a knife in my chest, the pain sharp and unrelenting, gnawing at the edges of my resolve.“This can’t be happening,” I murmured to myself, trying to push
Last Updated : 2025-02-27Traded For His First Love 57. Never Again
Reese POVI froze after hearing Sammy.“What…?” My voice came out as a trembling whisper, barely audible, hanging in the stillness of Elliot’s pristine apartment.Sammy stood before me, his large, sad eyes—those same eyes I remembered holding close when he was a baby, trembling during thunderstorms—now gazing at me with a distance that made it feel as if I’d never truly known him. He shuffled his feet, kicking a small pebble on the hardwood floor, his voice soft and fragile as he continued.“Jennifer took me to school today… and on the way, we drove by the park.” He lowered his head, his voice quivering. “Lady Venus was there. Spending time with another family. They were laughing together. She didn’t even see me.”My heart clenched as if it were being crushed under an unbearable weight. His words trembled, and he took a deep breath before pressing on, his small frame seeming to shrink under the burden of his confession.“That’s when I realized.” He looked up at me, and there was somet
Last Updated : 2025-02-27Traded For His First Love 58. This time I won't be silent
Reese POVI watched Sammy, seated beside me on the plush, cream-colored sofa in Elliot’s immaculate living room, as he shared snippets of his life over the past three years. Each word he spoke tightened my heart, a painful reminder of the moments I’d missed—the laughter, the tears, the growth I hadn’t witnessed.“So you like dinosaurs?” I asked, offering a smile as I tried to match the spark of excitement in his eyes.“Yeah! I have tons of dinosaur toys. And I watch cartoons about them too!”“That’s incredible! And which one’s your favorite?”“The T-Rex! He’s huge and super strong!”I chuckled softly, marveling at the way his eyes lit up, the innocence in his joy stirring a warmth in my chest that I hadn’t felt in years. I wanted to reclaim every lost moment, to stitch back together the time that had slipped through my fingers like sand.“Sammy…” I swallowed hard, feeling a knot form in my throat, the weight of my absence pressing down on me. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here sooner. I wish
Last Updated : 2025-02-27Traded For His First Love 59. Terrified
Bethany POVThe soft, golden glow of the chandelier cast a romantic ambiance over the luxurious dining room, its light dancing off the crystal stemware and the polished mahogany table. A gentle piano melody drifted through the air, mingling with the clink of fine china and the murmur of hushed conversations, but nothing in Josh’s posture reflected the mood. He sat across from me, physically close yet emotionally a world away, his broad shoulders slumped slightly, his eyes fixed on his plate as if it held the secrets of the universe. The waiter had just set our plates down—mine a tender filet mignon with truffle sauce, he's a seared salmon with lemon herb butter—but the exquisite aroma did little to ease the chill between us.“This restaurant is beautiful, isn’t it?” I ventured, forcing a smile as I cut into my steak, my voice bright with an effort I hoped he wouldn’t notice. “The decor is so elegant and minimalist—very chic.”He nodded, not lifting his head. “Uh-huh. It’s fine.”Uh-h
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Bethany POV“Who were you talking to?” Josh asked as he settled back into his seat, his tone casual, as if nothing had happened during his absence.I turned slightly, struggling to maintain my composure, the smile I tried to force feeling more distant than ever. “I was talking to Alice,” I replied, my voice lacking enthusiasm, the weight of the evening pressing down on me. “She called, that’s all.”Josh arched an eyebrow, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face, though it was clear he wasn’t genuinely interested. “About what?” he pressed, his voice masking a lack of enthusiasm with a thin veneer of politeness.I hesitated, not wanting to seem paranoid but unwilling to lie. “About you and Venus,” I said reluctantly, discomfort creeping through my body, tightening my chest. “I told her she was at the company today.”Josh let out a derisive laugh, a sound that sent a chill down my spine. It wasn’t playful—it carried a sharp edge, as if he were treating the situation like a game he could
Last Updated : 2025-02-27Traded For His First Love 61. Let's Returning
Reese POVI sat in my car, hands steady on the steering wheel, my body still taut with tension from my confrontation with Elliot. The weight of our conversation lingered, a knot of unresolved anger and determination tightening in my chest.My phone vibrated on the passenger seat, jolting me from my thoughts. I glanced at the screen and saw Alice’s name flashing. I took a deep breath, knowing she wouldn’t hesitate to call. I needed someone to talk to, and she was the first person I’d turn to—my anchor in a sea of chaos.“Hey, Alice,” I answered, trying to mask the exhaustion threading through my voice. A million thoughts swirled in my mind, but I wanted to keep driving, to stay focused and not lose myself in the conversation.“Hey, where are you?” she asked, her tone direct and urgent, as always.“I’m driving. I just left Elliot’s place,” I said, my words clipped, the fatigue seeping through despite my efforts to hide it.“Venus, what were you doing at Elliot’s?” Her question was blunt
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
