LOGINShare
9. I can't give up my family
Last Updated:
2025-02-07 23:14:45
Related chapters
Traded For His First Love 10. A deep pain
Reese POVWeeks passed, and the dynamics in that mansion were getting weirder by the day. Elliot really started spending more time at home with us, which was good, but at the same time, Jennifer insisted on lingering around, like a shadow we couldn't shake off.Jennifer's motor condition had improved, and she no longer needed the wheelchair. Elliot, with the concern he always showed for her, suggested she use the heated pool for physical therapy.That's how, on a sunny morning, Jennifer showed up at the pool in a white bikini that highlighted her slender figure. "The day is really nice for swimming, don't you think?" she commented, holding her hat high on her head while one hand rested on her waist."Yes, it is! And you require it for your recovery, my dear," said Florence, who was seated on a lounger, watching the scene with a satisfied smile on her face."Just let me finish up here with the floats, and we can start," said Elliot, while preparing the area for the swimming session.Sa
Last Updated : 2025-02-08Traded For His First Love 11. All over
Reese POVAfter what I saw earlier, Elliot and Jennifer kissing, I felt broken in a way I never thought was possible. The pain was so sharp it felt like someone had run a blade through my heart. Elliot had promised to change, had given me hope, and now that promise lay in pieces at my feet.Now, we were sitting in our room, a heavy silence hanging in the air, like a dark cloud before the storm. I couldn't look at him; my gaze fixed on the floor, where the patterns of the carpet seemed to mock my pain."Reese," he began, his voice low, almost a whisper of guilt. "I need to tell you the truth."I lifted my eyes to meet his, which were filled with a mix of remorse and something I couldn't identify. "The truth? What truth, Elliot? That you cheated on me with Jennifer?" My voice shook, but there was an underlying anger, a fury for what had been destroyed.He sighed, a sound that seemed to carry the weight of the world. "Jennifer is my lover. Since I met her again, I remembered the first lo
Last Updated : 2025-02-08Traded For His First Love 12. The surrogate mother
Reese POVAfter hours of crying and lamenting in the room over my husband's painful words, it felt like each tear had drained a little more of my soul. But reality called me back; I had to make dinner for Sammy. With an effort that seemed to move mountains, I got up from the bed, where each blanket reminded me of a betrayal, and went down to the kitchen.Upon entering, the scene I found was like another blow to my already wounded spirit. There was Sammy, laughing and eating, with Jennifer beside him, who had already prepared his dinner. The table was set with his favorite dishes, and he seemed completely happy and comfortable with her."Since you forgot about him, I made his dinner and took good care of him," Jennifer said, shrugging with that cynical smile that seemed to mock my pain.I felt a lump in my throat. I hadn't forgotten my son; I was just devastated. But faced with that scene, it seemed like I really had failed. I looked at Sammy, hoping to see some sign of longing or need
Last Updated : 2025-02-09Traded For His First Love 13. Set aside
Reese POVDepression was settling into me like an incurable disease. The idea that my husband wanted me to simply accept another woman's presence in our home and in our lives, was draining all the joy I once had. I felt powerless, as if the control over my own life had been snatched away.The next morning, with a heavy heart, I dragged myself out of bed and went down for breakfast. The scene I found in the kitchen was like a punch to the stomach. Jennifer, with that air of being the lady of the house, had prepared a beautiful breakfast and was there, serving and chatting with Sammy and Elliot as if they were her son and husband. They were so absorbed in each other, laughing at her jokes, that they seemed to completely ignore me."So, Sammy, want to go to the zoo today?" Jennifer asked, putting eggs on his plate."Yesss! I love the lions!" Sammy responded enthusiastically."Maybe I can get out of work early and join you," said Elliot, smiling at Jennifer, as if I weren't even there.I
Last Updated : 2025-02-10Traded For His First Love 14. A warmuful friend
Reese POVI accepted Alice's invitation with a sigh of relief. Maybe a bit of normalcy, like going shopping, could pull me out of the abyss I was sinking into.We went to the center of London, where the streets were full of life, contrasting with the emptiness I felt inside. Alice was a young, beautiful, and elegant woman, her hair as black as night and her deep blue eyes gentle and comforting. With her cheerful manner, she pulled me from store to store, trying to cheer me up with clothes and accessories."Look at this, Reese! This dress would look amazing on you. Let's try it on?" Alice said, holding up a red dress that sparkled under the store lights."I don't know, Alice. I'm not in the mood," I responded, but she wouldn't take no for an answer."No, no, no. You need to feel beautiful again. Let's go!" Alice insisted, pushing me towards the fitting room with an irresistible smile.As I looked at myself in the mirror wearing the dress, Alice watched me with critical but loving eyes.
Last Updated : 2025-02-10Traded For His First Love 15. Just a great liar
Reese POVWhen I returned home, Alice Davies' words were still fresh in my mind, but the scene I found in the kitchen was like a direct blow to my heart. There was Elliot, cooking for Jennifer, Florence, and Sammy, all laughing and talking as if they were a happy family, with no sign of missing me.The pain in my chest should have been familiar by now, but every day, this house surprised me more. I mean, Elliot had never cooked for me, and there he was, living this moment with Jennifer.I swallowed hard and approached, trying to keep my composure. "Elliot, can we talk?" my voice came out weaker than I wanted.He looked at me, hesitant, before nodding. "Of course, Reese. Just let me finish the sauce," he said, stirring the pot. It was simply rare to see him so dedicated to someone as he was now, but the pain in my chest was now an ally, only helping to confirm my decision.At that moment, I wanted to kiss my son and tell him how much I loved him, but the boy was sitting on Jennifer's l
Last Updated : 2025-02-11Traded For His First Love 16. Faith can be treacherous
Reese POVElliot had said we would take a reconciliation trip, something that seemed like our last chance to save what was left of our marriage. But, like so many other promises, that trip never happened. Days passed, and that monotonous routine I hated so much came back in full force. It was like we were stuck in an endless cycle again, where Elliot continued to ignore my situation, living his life with Jennifer as if I didn't exist.I felt like I was going around in circles, aimless, without hope. And then, I started feeling sick, vomiting frequently, and unable to eat properly. Each morning was a torment, and the smell of the breakfast Jennifer prepared for everyone made it even worse. I told Elliot about my discomfort, hoping for at least a little compassion or concern."Reese, you're acting like a spoiled child. Maybe it's just the flu," he said, without even looking at me, while helping Jennifer set the table.His indifference was like knives in my heart. I decided not to argue
Last Updated : 2025-02-12Traded For His First Love 17. Jennifer's true intentions have always been wide open
Reese POVWhen I returned home, a wave of happiness enveloped me, almost making me forget the pain and confusion I had been feeling. I was eager to tell Elliot about the pregnancy, believing it could be the key to restoring what was left of our marriage. However, as I was going upstairs to find him, Jennifer Durham appeared in my path, with that cynical smile I knew all too well.“Reese! Where have you been?” she asked.“It's none of your business,” I responded curtly. Honestly, what did she want by coming directly to talk to me? Did she think we had some kind of intimacy that would allow her to do this?“Oh, you went out with your little friend? I hope it was fun! Next time, invite me too, so we can spend the whole afternoon shopping together,” she radiated a toxic happiness.I rolled my eyes. “I wouldn't do that even if I were forced. When will you understand that we're not close, let alone friends? Now, get out of my way because I want to talk to my husband,” I said, trying to cont
Last Updated : 2025-02-13
Latest chapter
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
