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54. Take the speck first in your eye
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-02-27 01:41:10
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Traded 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 : 2025-02-27Traded For His First Love 62. Don't touch my child again
Reese POVI was seething with rage. My fingers gripped the steering wheel with white-knuckled intensity as I drove toward Jennifer’s mansion, the engine’s hum a faint backdrop to the fury pounding in my chest. Alice, in the passenger seat, listened intently as I recounted the latest outrage, her jaw clenched, her hands balled into fists in her lap.“She showed up out of nowhere, Alice! Acting like some concerned mother, trying to fill Sammy’s head with lies. Can you believe this?”Alice huffed, her eyes flashing with anger. “Oh, she’s going to pay for this. I swear it.”My breathing was heavy, uneven, my heart hammering against my ribs. I knew Jennifer wouldn’t stop until she got what she wanted—she always came back to wreak havoc. But today? Today, I was going to put an end to it.We pulled into the parking lot of Jennifer’s building, a nondescript mid-rise with a sterile, gray facade that seemed to mirror the coldness of her soul. I stepped out of the car like a storm, my footsteps
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-27
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Traded For His First Love 154. Race Against Time
Reese POVPanic was a cold current surging through my veins, squeezing my chest until I could barely breathe. Avie lay limp in my arms, her little face pale, her breathing so faint I had to strain to feel it against my skin. Elliot was by my side, his face twisted with fear and guilt, as we raced through the mansion’s hallway, our footsteps echoing like thunder in the silent night. Sammy followed, clutching Elliot’s hand, his wide eyes brimming with tears, his small voice trembling as he repeated, “Mommy, Avie’s gonna be okay, right? She’s gonna be okay?” I wanted to answer, to reassure him, but the words were stuck in my throat, choked by the terror consuming me.“Get the car, Elliot!” I shouted, my voice hoarse, as we stumbled down the stairs, nearly tripping in our haste. He nodded, panic evident in his movements, and ran to the garage, the keys jangling in his trembling hands. I held Avie tighter, as if I could protect her with sheer will, whispering against her curls, “You’re go
Traded For His First Love 153. Sparks and Fears
Reese POVThe guest room in the Goodwin mansion felt like a time bubble, where the past and present collided in an uncomfortable clash. As we played with Sammy and Avie, stacking wooden blocks into wobbly towers, I couldn’t help stealing glances at Elliot. He was sitting on the carpet, laughing with Sammy, helping build an improvised bridge, his green eyes shining with a tenderness that was painfully familiar. It was strange, almost surreal, this moment of harmony between us, as if the war over the custody trial didn’t exist, as if he hadn’t allowed his lawyers to humiliate me with lies about my life in Chicago. My anger still simmered, a smoldering ember that wouldn’t fade, but here, with the kids, I tried to keep the peace, at least for now.Avie, with her messy curls, giggled as she tried to steal a block from Elliot’s hand, but suddenly, a hoarse cough interrupted her laughter. She coughed again, the sound dry and persistent, and my heart tightened. The air in London was cold and
Traded For His First Love 152. Fury and Small Moments
Reese POVThe night in the Goodwin mansion was stifling, the silence of the corridors amplifying the chaos in my mind. After the disaster in court, I couldn’t stay still. I paced back and forth in the guest room, my bare feet sinking into the plush carpet, my arms crossed tightly as if they could contain the rage bubbling inside me. Every word from Elliot’s lawyer still echoed, like a knife stabbed repeatedly: the rumors of scandals in Chicago, the accusation that I was an “indecent” woman, unfit to be a mother to Sammy and Avie. How could he? How could Elliot, the man I once swore to love, sit there in silence while his team used lies to destroy me in front of the judge?“You believe this, Alice?” I said, my voice loud, almost a shout, as I gestured frantically. “Elliot let them call me… a woman who gets involved with committed men! As if I’m a threat to my own children! He really thinks he can use those stupid Chicago rumors to make the judge think I don’t deserve Sammy and Avie?”
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
