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28. How I hate him!
Last Updated:
2025-02-22 00:21:12
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Traded For His First Love 29. Resilience
Elliot POVThe night was cold, and the streets of Chicago seemed to hold their breath beneath the faint glow of the streetlights. I was there, inside my car, parked beneath Reese’s building. My fingers drummed on the steering wheel, an echo of the tension coursing through my body as I stared at the lit windows above. I had followed her here after the party – an impulsive act I knew could cost me dearly. But how could I just leave after seeing her, after years of searching for her?Alice had been clear in her threat. "Stay away from her, Elliot, or I swear I’ll sue you until there’s nothing left," she’d said, with that cutting look that made me feel small, like the villain in a story I had written myself. And maybe I was, but that didn’t change the fact that I couldn’t let this opportunity slip away. Not after so long, after so many cities, after so many regrets piling up.I wasn’t a danger to Reese. On the contrary, all I wanted was her well-being – and Sammy’s. My heart raced just th
Last Updated : 2025-02-22Traded For His First Love 30. Friends as far as it suits
Spencer POVThe party was in full swing, packed with people laughing, drinking, and dancing. The bar was crowded, the waiters barely keeping up with serving everyone, and the music made the floor shake, almost like the whole room was about to explode with energy. But I couldn’t care less about enjoying it. Something was eating at me, a problem I couldn’t put off. I needed to talk to Josh Carter today.I held my whiskey glass, trying to look relaxed as I moved through the room, stopping here and there to greet some guests. The crowd was buzzing, but my head was racing, thinking about Venus, about Reese, about the pain she still carried – and the nightmare of having Elliot Goodwin around again."Spencer, my man!" someone yelled, and when I turned, I saw two guys I’d drunk and laughed with on many nights. One of them slapped my shoulder, almost knocking my glass out of my hand. "You’ve been MIA, huh? How’s life?""Better than ever," I lied, forcing a smile. "And you guys?""Ah, same old,
Last Updated : 2025-02-22Traded For His First Love 31. The bargain
Spencer POV"But why don’t you want to marry Bethany?" I asked, trying to make sense of the situation.Josh leaned against the wall, arms crossed, with an expression that screamed exhaustion, like he was tired of everything. He stared at me for a moment, as if he wanted to have more patience but just couldn’t. Finally, he sighed, running a hand through his hair, already starting to lose his cool. "Because I don’t love Bethany, Spencer. Is that so hard to understand?"I furrowed my brow, still not fully grasping the reason behind his refusal. "But she’s young, beautiful, and from a good family. You two make a great couple, and she clearly loves you for real. Isn’t that how the world works? Isn’t that enough for you?"He let out a hollow laugh, almost like a reflex of frustration. "Sure, Spencer, because that’s what matters, right? Looks, status, convenient matches. But what about what I want? What I feel? You’re forgetting about me in all of this."Those words caught me off guard. Josh
Last Updated : 2025-02-22Traded For His First Love 32. Hope
Elliot POVThe next morning, I woke up early, more energized than usual. I prepared a hearty breakfast, something I hadn’t done in ages: golden pancakes, scrambled eggs, and fresh juice. The sweet smell of the batter frying filled the kitchen, bringing a sense of normalcy I hadn’t felt since leaving London behind. It was as if, somehow, I was trying to make up for all the lost mornings, all the moments I let slip away with my family. As I set the table, my mind danced between hope and guilt, a whirlwind that had been my constant companion since I found Reese at Josh Carter’s engagement party.I climbed the stairs, my heart beating faster with each step, and entered Sammy’s room. "Hey, champ, time to wake up," I called, gently shaking his shoulder.He mumbled something unintelligible and turned to the other side, burying his face in the pillow. I chuckled softly, a sound almost foreign, and sat on the edge of the bed, feeling the weight of the moment. This was more than just a breakfa
Last Updated : 2025-02-22Traded For His First Love 33. Spencer, the protector
Reese POVI woke up to a soft noise, followed by giggles and jumps on the bed. It didn’t take long for me to feel the mattress shaking and a small hand tapping my arm."Mommy, wake up! Come on, Mommy!" Avie exclaimed with an energy I only had in my youth. She bounced to the top of the bed and looked at me with shining eyes. "Guess what? Uncle Spence is in the kitchen making us breakfast!"I opened my eyes slowly, still fighting off sleep. "Uncle Spence?" I grumbled, trying to process it. "Is it time for all this already?"She nodded, bursting with energy and laughing. "Yes! He’s making pancakes with chocolate syrup! Come on!"That idea got me up faster. "Chocolate syrup, huh?" I smiled at her as I got out of bed. "You sure know how to convince me."Avie ran ahead, already forgetting I was still trying to get myself together. I slipped on my robe, ran a hand through my hair, and followed her to the kitchen.When we walked into the kitchen, I saw Spencer with his back turned, flipping p
Last Updated : 2025-02-23Traded For His First Love 34. Trying to return to normal
Reese POVThe rest of the morning passed slowly.It was then that I realized the best thing I could do that day was to occupy my mind with something else. Something that really mattered. Like work. I had been drifting too far from the things that truly helped me maintain balance. And, if I were honest with myself, work made me feel alive, helped me stay grounded.I took Avie’s hand, with a lightness that helped me momentarily divert from the mental chaos overwhelming me. She was as excited as ever. It was always like this: when I made a decision and put it into action, she got thrilled and seemed to forget any troubles. She had an energy that made me forget everything around me. I felt that, if she could be like this, maybe I could too."Mom, will there be lots of food today?" Avie asked, swinging her arm alongside mine. "I hope so, because Uncle Spence makes the best stuff!"I smiled at her, gently patting her head. "There won’t be pancakes today, but there’ll be a delicious lunch, d
Last Updated : 2025-02-24Traded For His First Love 35. Priorities
Elliot POVAs soon as everyone was gathered, the murmur of side conversations gradually quieted when Joshua Carter entered the room. He wore his usual impeccable suit, his eyes scanning each of us, assessing the atmosphere."Good morning, everyone," he said with a brief nod. "I hope you’re all prepared."That simple sentence was enough to straighten everyone’s posture around the table."We can start the meeting," Joshua continued, placing a folder on the table and opening it with precision. "There’s a lot to discuss today, and I want objectivity.""Are we all on board with the plan for the new production line?" Carter’s voice echoed through the conference room. His gaze swept over all of us, evaluating each person as if he already knew where the mistakes were before we even pointed them out."Yes," I responded firmly. "The equipment has been ordered, and the team starts testing next week. We’ve also aligned with the distributors to ensure everything arrives on time."Before I could co
Last Updated : 2025-02-24Traded For His First Love 36. Digging his own grave
Elliot POVAs soon as the door to the meeting room closed behind me, I let out a heavy sigh. My head was throbbing, and the weight of the conversation that had just happened still pressed on my chest. My talk with Josh had been a clear warning. He didn’t even need to say it outright.I needed to go to the legal department. Urgently.I was screwed.It wasn’t even a matter of speculation or exaggeration. I was genuinely screwed.I walked down the hallway without hesitation, my mind racing. A few employees greeted me as I passed, but I just nodded back, not stopping."Good morning, Mr. Goodwin.""Mr. Goodwin."I didn’t have time for small talk. Or patience.I ran a hand over my face as I strode down the corridor, feeling a cold knot in my stomach that worsened with each step. I knew, sooner or later, I’d end up at this point. After what happened at Josh’s engagement party, after what I said to Reese, it was obvious things would unravel. At least, that’s the only reason I could see for D
Last Updated : 2025-02-24
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Traded For His First Love 151. The First Day in Court
Reese POVThe London courthouse was an imposing structure, its gray stone columns rising toward the overcast sky as if to intimidate anyone daring to cross its threshold. The morning was cold, the damp air carrying the scent of impending rain, and I felt the weight of each step as I climbed the marble stairs, my heart pounding so fiercely it seemed to echo in the silence around me. My hand gripped Alice’s tightly, her warm, steady fingers an anchor against the dread threatening to swallow me. Beside me, Josh walked with the confident posture of someone who knew the power of his name, his navy blazer impeccable, but his clear eyes sent me glances of support, as if to say we were in this together. My lawyers, two middle-aged men with serious expressions and briefcases stuffed with documents, followed close behind, murmuring strategies in hushed tones. It was the first session of the custody trial for Sammy and Avie, and though I knew it was just the beginning of a battle that would st
Traded For His First Love 150. Encounter on the Balcony
Reese POVThe night was heavy, the London sky cloaked in a layer of dark clouds that hid the stars, as if the universe itself mirrored the turmoil within me. I couldn’t sleep, the weight of anxiety keeping me awake, my thoughts swirling like a whirlwind. In a few hours, the first session with the judge to decide the custody of Sammy and Avie would begin, and the thought of facing Elliot in court, of exposing our story to strangers, made my stomach churn. Lying in bed, I tossed and turned, the silence of the guest room broken only by the soft breaths of Sammy and Avie, sleeping peacefully, oblivious to the earthquake looming. Unable to bear the restlessness, I got up, wearing only a light cotton nightgown, my bare feet feeling the chill of the wooden floor. I grabbed the pack of cigarettes I kept hidden in my bag—a habit I’d abandoned in Chicago but brought along as a crutch for moments like this—and stepped out onto the balcony, hoping the cool midnight breeze would calm my troubled
Traded For His First Love 149. Shadows of Regret
Elliot POVThe fireplace room in the Goodwin mansion was enveloped in a cozy dimness, the flickering light of the flames dancing on the stone walls, casting shadows that seemed to mirror the weight of my thoughts. The scent of burning wood mingled with the rich aroma of the red wine swirling in the glass in my hand, a Bordeaux I’d chosen from the cellar in the vain hope that a drink could calm the storm within me. Josh Carter sat in the leather armchair across from me, his light hair tousled, his clear eyes gleaming with a mix of forced humor and melancholy. He held his own glass, gesturing as he told his story, his voice wavering between laughter and a tone that betrayed his true anguish.“So, Bethany really did it,” Josh said, taking a sip of wine, his crooked smile not reaching his eyes. “The pregnancy reveal was the final blow. She’s got me locked into this engagement, and now the wedding date’s set. In a few weeks, I’m a married man.” He laughed, but the sound was hollow, as if
Traded For His First Love 148. Confessions Under Moonlight
Reese POVThe night had fallen over the Goodwin mansion, the London sky now a dark mantle speckled with timid stars, visible through the tall corridor windows. Dinner had been surprisingly calm, with Sammy and Avie stealing the show as they recounted stories about the ducks at the lake, their little voices filling the dining room with a lightness that contrasted with the tension lingering among the adults. Josh had been polite but firm, keeping the conversation neutral with Elliot, while Alice cast supportive glances my way, a silent reminder that I wasn’t alone. Florence, with her newfound facade of a caring grandmother, served dessert—a vanilla pudding that Sammy devoured—but I barely touched my plate, my stomach knotted by Elliot’s presence, his green eyes seeming to find mine every time I looked up.After dinner, as the children headed upstairs with a governess Elliot had hired, I found myself standing in the hall, the bag of old clothes still weighing on my mind, a symbol of the
Traded For His First Love 147. An Unexpected Ally
Reese POVThe twilight began to paint the London sky with shades of orange and gray, the soft light filtering through the tall windows of the Goodwin mansion, casting long shadows across the polished wooden corridors. I was in the guest room with Sammy and Avie, sitting on the edge of the bed, watching them play on the rug with a set of wooden blocks Elliot had retrieved from the attic. Sammy was building a tower, his tongue sticking out in concentration, while Avie stacked the blocks in a chaotic pattern, laughing each time the pile collapsed. “Mommy, look! It’s a castle!” Sammy exclaimed, pointing to his wobbly structure, and I smiled, my heart warmed by the simplicity of the moment. But even with the children’s laughter filling the room, the tension wouldn’t leave me. The legal battle for custody of Sammy and Avie was looming, and every day in this mansion—with Jennifer scheming in the city, Florence acting suspiciously friendly, and Elliot looking at me with a love I didn’t want
Traded For His First Love 146. An Unexpected Request
Reese POVThe lake at the Goodwin mansion shimmered under the soft midday light, its surface reflecting the willows swaying in London’s chilly breeze. Sammy and Avie ran along the shore, their laughter echoing as they tossed bits of bread to the ducks, which swam in circles, quacking eagerly. Elliot was with them, kneeling on the grass, holding a tennis ball that Baxter, the family’s golden retriever, chased with enthusiasm, barking and wagging his tail. He had brought some toys from the shed—the ball, a frisbee, even a rope for Baxter to tug—and the kids were radiant, Sammy shouting, “Get it, Baxter!” while Avie tried to throw the frisbee, which landed just a few feet away.I sat on a wicker outdoor sofa, covered with faded cushions, watching the scene with a mix of tenderness and pain. Elliot looked so at ease, laughing when Baxter leaped to steal the ball from Sammy, helping Avie toss the bread farther for the ducks. He was an enthusiastic father, the kind who made the kids feel
Traded For His First Love 145. Shadows and Moments of Light
Reese POVThe dining room of the Goodwin mansion was filled with soft sounds—the clink of cutlery, the murmur of Sammy and Avie chatting about muffins, the aroma of coffee and fresh bread lingering in the air. I held a mug, its warmth against my hands a contrast to the cold I felt inside, still dressed in the old clothes Elliot had kept, clothes that made me feel as if I’d stepped back in time to a life I fought so hard to leave behind. Sammy was beside me, biting into a muffin, while Avie, in my lap, played with a strawberry, giggling when the juice stained her little fingers. Despite the tension pulsing at the table—with Jennifer casting venomous glares and Elliot staring at me with an intensity that disarmed me—the kids seemed, somehow, at ease. Except for the way Sammy kept his eyes fixed on his plate whenever Jennifer spoke, clearly uncomfortable with her presence.Florence, seated at the other end of the table, surprised me with her almost warm demeanor, serving more scrambled
Traded For His First Love 144. Your Nostalgic Gaze
Reese POVThe morning light filtered through the guest room curtains, soft and gray, as London’s sky always seemed to be. I stood before the small mirror on the dresser, my reflection staring back like an image from another life. The blue wool sweater, the floral dress underneath, the denim jacket—clothes I found in the bag Elliot handed me last night, clothes I wore three years ago when I was still his wife, when this Goodwin mansion was both my home and my prison. They still fit, as if my body hadn’t changed, but seeing myself, a hollow ache opened in my chest. It was as if time had folded in on itself, as if all my achievements in Chicago—the strength I built at Lunaris Event, the independence I fought to claim—were just a dream, an illusion. In that mirror, I was the submissive Reese again, the wife who endured Florence’s cold glares, Jennifer’s manipulations, and Elliot’s broken promises.My stomach churned, the sense of defeat threatening to swallow me. I had come to London to
Traded For His First Love 143. A Past That Won’t Die
Reese POVThe sound of the television in the children’s room—a cartoon filled with laughter and music that Sammy and Avie loved—was a small oasis amidst the tension pulsing through the Goodwin mansion. I left them on the bed, Sammy clutching the remote with a triumphant little grin, Avie hugging a pillow, her messy curls falling over her face. “Stay here, okay? Mommy will be right back,” I murmured, kissing both their foreheads. Avie, with her sweet little voice, said, “Okay, Mama!” but quickly added, almost as an echo, “Venus come back soon!” I smiled, despite the weight in my chest. Avie, at three years old, sometimes called me “Venus,” mimicking Sammy or Alice, who used my Chicago nickname. It was confusing but so quintessentially her—a mix of affection and innocence that made me love her even more.I closed the door partway, my heart tightening at leaving them, even for a few minutes. Elliot was waiting in the hallway, and each step toward him felt like walking on glass, the pa
