The Wife Swap

Ashley’s POV"Oh, you are so lucky that you have an identical twin. What's it like?" The question, a tired chorus, rolled off the tongue of the woman sitting in the booth next to me at the coffee shop. If I had a dollar for every time I was asked this question, I could probably fulfill my deepest dream–to leave this bustling town and move to another continent where I would own a nice little cottage nestled amongst rolling hills in New Zealand. There, amid the quiet solitude, I could escape the constant comparisons, the expectations, and most importantly, the feeling of being perpetually overshadowed by my twin, Ashton Grey.When we were little, being Ashton's twin held a certain playful charm. We were masters of disguise, able to swap places seamlessly, driving our parents to the brink of exasperation with our elaborate pranks. Back then, our differences were subtle – mere nuances in personality that manifested in our clothing choices (I, a sucker for mismatched socks and oversized s

Ashley’s POVThe leather seat of the luxurious car that had picked me up outside the airport felt alien beneath me, or maybe it was the fact that I had a driver. Gazing out the window at the snow-capped peaks blurring by, I still couldn't quite believe I was actually in Aspen, on my way to the Thornes’ mansion, masquerading as my sister, Ashton.Just days ago, I’d been sitting in the cozy familiarity of my favorite coffee shop in Vermont when Ashton had dropped her bombshell request. The memory of her pleading eyes and the hesitant smile, a ghost of our childhood goofiness, had been my undoing and why I was now on my way to what I believed was a suicide mission. After agreeing, I’d had to follow Ashton back to her New York apartment that very day. Thankfully, her husband, Andreas, was on a business trip to London and would be flying directly into Aspen. A small mercy, because the prospect of spending hours trapped on a plane with a complete stranger while posing as his significant oth

Ashley’s POVMy reflection stared back at me, a stranger in my own skin. I was so used to drowning myself in oversized t-shirts and the comforting embrace of sweatpants.m that wearing something other than that felt odd. In place of my usual fits, I'd picked out a sundress from the array of clothes that Ashton had packed for me for this weekend.I ran a hesitant hand over the smooth fabric, the material clinging to my curves in places I never knew I had curves, accentuating the unfamiliar contours of my body. But it was the neckline that truly shocked me.A daring plunge that showed a cleavage I hadn't known existed. It was like staring into a mirror and discovering a hidden landscape. I'd always believed that I was flat-chested, a fact I'd accepted with a shrug, but this dress was daring me to embrace what I'd previously ignored, or maybe it ass just that I wore too many oversized fits to have her noticed in the first place.A wave of self-consciousness washed over me. I was no Bridge

Ashley’s POVHeading into the bathroom to change into my nightdress, I tried to shake off the curiosity that had gripped me. Ashton’s instructions were to just make it through the weekend with her in-laws so why was I curious about the state of her marriage? Even if I figured out why, it wasn't like it was something I could change. “You just need to make it through this weekend, Ash” I whispered to my reflection in the mirror and let out a sigh, making my way back into the bedroom.When I came out, I found Andreas already lying on the couch, a book in his hands. He looked up as I entered, his expression neutral but eyes locked on me and I suddenly felt self-conscious, looking away.Taking in the vast expanse of the king-sized bed, I hesitated. Perhaps it was unnecessary to share the bed, but, if Ashton was his wife, wouldn't it be strange to not offer? "You don't have to sleep on the couch," I stammered, my voice barely a whisper. "The bed is big enough for four people. We can put pi

Ashley’s POV"Then you'll be the happiest widow in the world, won't you? You did say those words to me on our wedding night."Maybe it was the way his lips brushed my ear sweetly as if the words he’d just uttered were in the most scathing tone I’d ever heard, or the lazy smile that followed as he stepped back but I could only stare at him, stunned as he climbed onto his horse and charged into the world, following in the wake of Adam and Thomas. What sort of married life was Ashton living with this man? It shouldn't be any of my business but with each interaction, I was more curious.As I turned to rejoin the others under the canopy, who were already engaged in animated conversation with Margaret while Alfred was engrossed in a book, a cold dread settled in the pit of my stomach.Something had not been right with that map, and the more I pictured it in my mind, the more certain I became of my suspicions. Returning to the map stand, I found the steward watching me as I advanced toward