Mag-log inShare
95. Unspoken Weights
Huling Na-update:
2025-03-29 20:28:44
Kaugnay na kabanata
Traded For His First Love 96. Sparks and Spins
Alice POV The party at Nathalie’s was a delicious mess—the hall packed with flickering golden lights, the sound of romantic music mixing with laughter and the clink of glasses. I was dancing with Elliot, spinning across the floor, and there was no denying it: the guy was drop-dead gorgeous. His messy hair fell over those green eyes that could pierce right through you, the black suit hugging his frame in a way that screamed charm. I totally got why Venus was so hooked on him—he had that pull that didn’t even need effort. But at the same time, I couldn’t really like him. Not after all the pain he’d put Venus through, that back-and-forth that left her a wreck. I mean, Venus was my little darling since the time in London when she was married to this guy, so I was there and saw how Elliot Goodwin made her suffer, I was there from the beginning, so his pretty face and charm didn't convince me at all, even though he brought that hot friend of his called Connor O'Brien.“Elliot,” I said,
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-29Traded For His First Love 97. Cracks in the Mask
Bethany POV The party at Nathalie’s was pure noise—golden lights bouncing off the marble floor, music filling the hall, laughter and clinking glasses blending into a chaos I usually loved. But there I was, standing near the drink table with a glass of champagne I hadn’t even touched, feeling nothing but a burning anger in my chest. It was because of her. Venus. I was watching her dance with Josh, the two of them spinning on the floor like old pals, laughing and chatting in a way that made me want to smash something. Josh never laughed like that with me. Never. With me, it was always a forced smile, a dry joke he’d toss out just to fill the silence, or worse, that blank stare that said he was only there out of duty. But with Venus? God, he was light, his head thrown back as he cracked up at something she said, his eyes sparkling in a way I hadn’t seen in months—maybe ever. It was natural, effortless, like she had some magic I’d never possess. A lump lodged in my throat, my eyes s
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-29Traded For His First Love 98. Fools and Fizz
Alice POV The party at Nathalie’s was still going strong—the hall glowing with those golden lights that looked like stars spilling from the ceiling, the music now livelier, urging couples onto the dance floor, and the hum of laughter and clinking glasses filling the air. Venus and I had danced our legs off, so we’d collapsed onto some plush sofas by the window, our feet throbbing in our heels and sweat glistening on our foreheads. I had a champagne flute in hand, the chilled liquid bubbling against my fingers, and Venus was beside me, her blue dress rumpled from all the spinning, a mischievous smirk on her face as she nudged me with her elbow. “I saw it, you know, Alice,” she said, her voice dripping with teasing as she leaned toward me. “You and Connor. That kiss. My God, you two were on fire!” My cheeks heated up instantly, and I gave her arm a light smack, laughing awkwardly. “Oh, shut it, Venus! It was just a kiss, don’t make it a big deal,” I shot back, but just thinking a
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-30Traded For His First Love 99. Words on the Balcony
Alice POV The party at Nathalie’s was still in full swing—the hall pulsing with upbeat music, golden lights dancing on the walls, and everyone spinning on the dance floor or laughing in little clusters like the night would never end. But me? I was slumped in a corner, sprawled in an armchair by the window, arms crossed and a scowl plastered on my face like I’d bitten into a sour lemon. Everyone seemed to be having fun except me. Even the champagne, which I’d grabbed to shake off my funk, had lost its appeal—the untouched glass sat on the side table, bubbles rising slowly as I stared into space. My mind wouldn’t let go of Connor, that jerk. His kiss was still stuck in my head, warm and infuriating, followed by that little show of him flirting with the brunette in the green dress like I was just a warm-up. Ugh, it pissed me off. I was so lost in my grumpiness that I didn’t even see him coming until he stopped right in front of me, tall and flashing that crooked smile I wanted to ha
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-31Traded For His First Love 100. Caught in the Glow
Reese POV The party at Nathalie’s was a whirlwind—the hall packed, golden lights flickering like falling stars, and the upbeat music making the floor hum with so many people dancing. I was weaving my way to the drink table, fulfilling Alice’s request to grab some glasses for us. “Please, Venus, get us some drinks,” she’d said, with that look like she needed a sip to wash away the mess with Connor. I laughed to myself, dodging a couple spinning clumsily in front of me, my blue dress brushing against my legs as I pushed through. “Hey, Venus, enjoying the party?” a voice called, and I turned to see Lena, a friend of Nathalie’s I bumped into now and then. She was in a silver dress that sparkled way too much, a glass of red wine in hand, and a wide grin on her face. “Yeah, it’s great!” I replied, pausing for a sec as she came closer. “Have you seen Alice around? She was with me just a bit ago.” Lena scanned the room, scrunching her nose like she was trying to recall. “I think I sa
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-31Traded For His First Love 101. Shadows in the Breeze
Venus POV The balcony at Nathalie’s party was a haven—the cool breeze brushed lightly against my face, carrying the scent of garden flowers and the faint hum of crickets, a stark contrast to the stifling heat and noise of the party inside. I was leaning against the railing, the cold metal pressing into my arms, and Elliot stood beside me, one shoulder against the wall, his empty glass twirling between his fingers. The silence between us was comfortable but heavy, like we both knew there was more lurking beneath the words we weren’t saying. Across the balcony, in the darker corner, I could see Alice and Connor—her laughing at something he said, him with that crooked smile that seemed to have won her over for good. Elliot broke the quiet first, his voice low and tinged with surprise. “Look at them, Reese. Who’d have thought Connor would dive in like that with Alice so fast? It’s pretty unlikely, but I’m liking it.” I smiled, glancing at Alice for a moment before turning to him.
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-31Traded 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-31Traded 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-31
Pinakabagong kabanata
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
