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53. Incongruity
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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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-27Traded For His First Love 60. Am I asking too much?
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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-27
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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
