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95. Unspoken Weights
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2025-03-29 20:28:44
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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,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-31
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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
