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Chapter 13: Our Last Night
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2024-08-10 23:55:49Related chapters
The Wife Swap Chapter 14: Back to Reality
Ashley’s POVWhen I woke up, Andreas was gone. For a moment, I wondered if he'd retreated to the couch after I fell asleep, but the rumpled sheets beside me and the lingering warmth of his body told a different story. He had spent the night in the bed with me. A strange mix of relief and uncertainty washed over me. Relief that our shared night hadn't been as awkward as I'd imagined, and uncertainty about what this meant for his relationship with my sister who I was pretending to be, if anything. Perhaps it had been a meaningless act of comfort to him, or maybe, just maybe, there was something more to it. I headed to the bathroom, my mind racing. If this shared night could somehow mend whatever rift existed between Andreas and Ashton, it would be a small miracle and it meant that I'd not only survived swapping with her successfully for the weekend but that I'd helped her take a step forward in resolving whatever issues she had with her husband, because knowing Ashton, she was as stub
Last Updated : 2024-08-11The Wife Swap Chapter 15: We should talk in person
Ashley’s POVA rush of adrenaline shot through me as Liv’s voice, bright and cheery, filled my ears. Her suggestion to come over to see me in Vermont was nothing out of the ordinary, because more often than not, I hardly ever came to New York where she lived, partly because I was trying to avoid Ashton. I had been avoiding Liv’s messages all weekend, trying my best to hide that I was in Aspen playing the swapping game because I knew that she wouldn't approve but the thought of lying to her again about attending some phantom function so that she wouldn't leave her apartment felt like a betrayal, plus she wouldn't bore me because I had the social battery of a hermit.My heart pounded in my chest. What was I going to do?“Hey, Ash,” Liv’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “You there?”I realized with a start that I’d been silent for too long. A nervous laugh escaped my lips. “Yeah, sorry. Just zoning out.”“You okay? You sounded a little off.” Her tone shifted, concern creeping into her
Last Updated : 2024-08-13The Wife Swap Chapter 16: To get through this week
Ashley’s POVThe bell above the restaurant door jingled as I stepped inside. A wave of relief washed over me as I spotted Liv sitting at a corner table, her vibrant energy cutting through the atmosphere. Olivia ‘Liv’ and I had been inseparable since high school, her infectious laughter and boundless optimism a constant in my often quiet world. While Ashton had thrived in the spotlight and ended up mingling with crowds that didn't appreciate my introverted self., I'd found solace in the quiet corners, and Liv had been my steadfast companion through it all.Thankfully, Liv had also gotten into the same college as Ashton and me. It was a stroke of incredible luck. Though we hadn't been coursemates, sharing the same campus had cemented our bond. We spent countless hours together, studying, laughing, and sharing dreams. It was during those late-night study sessions that my love for writing blossomed into my decision to take the first step and put my thoughts on paper. Liv was always my bi
Last Updated : 2024-08-13The Wife Swap Chapter 17: Fading to Black
Ashley’s POVThe car came to a screeching halt, the engine roaring to a silent hum. I glanced at Liv, her face a mask of uncertainty and worry. The giant gates of Ashton’s mansion stood ominously before us and I could see that Liv hadn’t wanted to bring me back here. Ashton and Liv were like oil and water. Liv always never hesitated to call out my sister while Ashton hated her guts and said she was jealous about not having a sister. “Are you sure about this, Ash? You know that we could just turn around and leave. Your agreement with Ashton was the weekend, it doesn’t matter if the flights changed last minute, because there’s no explanation for why she’s been radio silent since she gave that excuse” Liv whispered, her grip tightening on the steering wheel.I forced a reassuring smile, my heart pounding against my ribs. "I’m sure, Liv. Just a few more days, then I’ll be back to my normal, boring life. We can even talk about my books and the unveiling you spoke about after this is over.
Last Updated : 2024-08-14The Wife Swap Chapter 18: A broken promise
Ashley’s POVI blinked, disoriented, as my consciousness slowly returned. The familiar scent of hay and horse sweat filled my nostrils, and my eyes widened as I took in the surroundings around me. I was dreaming. It had to be a dream. I was back on my late aunt’s ranch, a place I hadn’t visited in years. And there, sitting alone on a bale of hay, was a younger version of myself, my eyes swollen and red from crying.A pang of sadness pierced my heart. I remembered that day so vividly. It had been weeks after our parents' funeral, and I was still unable to hold back the tears. I had cried at the dinner table, at school, and even in my sleep. Ashton, who didn't particularly like crying, had tried her best to comfort me, but I had been inconsolable. To escape the pitying glances and forced smiles in the house, I had found solace in coming to hide away in the barn whenever I wanted to cry. The quiet solitude, the gentle sway of the horses, and the comforting scent of hay had provided muc
Last Updated : 2024-08-15The Wife Swap Chapter 19: Ashton or Ashley
Ashley’s POVAs I rattled off the address to the hospital to Liv and the call ended, I stared at the ceiling, trying and failing to delude myself that all of this was just a very bad dream. The door opened and Andreas walked in, the doctor closely following behind him. "Mrs Thorne, how are you feeling today?" the doctor asked, his voice gentle with a kind smile on his face. "Your husband said you fainted from shock."I nodded, ignoring the way my spine stiffened at the sharp reminder that I was still pretending to be my missing sister, my voice a mere whisper as I responded, "He's right. I think I did."He hesitated for a moment, then continued. "If you need to talk, I'm here. Or if you'd prefer, I can get you a psychologist."I shook my head, hating the fact that tears had already begun to blur my vision again. This wasn't the time to be such a darned crybaby, Ashley. "No, it's okay. I just need to be alone for a while."The doctor nodded, his expression somber. "I understand. I'l
Last Updated : 2024-08-16The Wife Swap Chapter 20: Crafting a plan
Ashley's POVAs soon as the door closed, Liv turned to me, her expression one of disbelief. "What the fuck?" I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. My throat felt constricted as if someone had tied a knot in it. Liv stared at me, her expression a mixture of confusion and frustration. "Are you seriously still trying to keep up this charade? Just come clean to Ashton's husband about everything. Tell him the truth." I shook my head, my eyes filling with tears, "I tried, Liv. I did. But I don't know where to start." Liv sighed. "You can't keep lying to him, Ashley. It's not fair to him, because if Ashton was really on that flight, her husband deserves to know.” I knew Liv was right, hell, before she entered, I’d almost decided to damn the consequences and come clean about everything, but I had so many doubts. Too many. "What if I tell him the truth about the wife swap and it turns out that Ashton never even got on the flight? What if she’s alive and well?" Liv's eyes
Last Updated : 2024-08-17The Wife Swap Chapter 21: The balcony
Ashley’s POVI glanced at Andreas through the rearview mirror, my heart pounding in my chest. His gaze was steady and unwavering, and a shiver ran down my spine. I knew he was searching for something, something he couldn't quite pinpoint. It was clear that he was trying to piece together a puzzle and as I looked away, I prayed that he didn’t figure it out just yet. Annabel, seated beside me with Andreas in the driver’s seat remained oblivious to the staring match between her brother and me. “Ashton, you don’t have to go home tonight.” She suggested, “The doctor said…”"I'm fine, really," I interjected, my voice a bit too forced. "I just need some rest, that’s all."Annabel squeezed my hand, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you sure? We can always stay at the hospital.""No, no," I replied hastily. "I want to go home."The doctor, due to my insistence had cleared me to be discharged not long after Liv left and it was just as well because the faster I left the hospital, the faster I
Last Updated : 2024-08-17
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The Wife Swap Chapter 241: A new beginning
Ashley’s POV“Thank you,” I managed, taking the bouquet from Andreas, my fingers trembling slightly. “You… you came.”He chuckled softly, nodding. “Wouldn’t miss it. I’m proud of you, Ashley. You’re amazing. The book…it’s incredible.” He paused, and the warmth in his eyes made my heart race. “I’ve already read it, by the way,” he added, a hint of teasing in his tone. “I couldn’t put it down.”A small, awkward laugh escaped my lips, a nervous sound. “You read it?” I asked, almost incredulous. “All of it?”He nodded, his gaze unwavering. “Every word. You have a real talent, Ashley. I’m not just saying that because of…well, because of us.” He gave a small smile, almost sheepish, and I swallowed, fighting the urge to reach out and kiss him. “You’ve always had it in you. I’m just glad the world gets to know the face behind the work.”I felt a warmth in my chest, the kind that had been absent for so long. I opened my mouth to thank him and paused, wondering if he’d leave after I responded a
The Wife Swap Chapter 240: A heartfelt reunion
Ashley’s POVThe book launch venue was everything I’d hoped it would be—a cozy, intimate setting with an air of understated elegance. The soft glow of chandeliers reflected off the polished wood floors, and the tables were lined with white tablecloths, their centerpieces adorned with my favorite flowers. It was the kind of place that felt warm and welcoming, just like the people who had supported me along the way. As I stood outside for a moment, taking in the sight of it all, a nervous flutter took over my stomach. The event was finally happening. This was real. I rushed to the back entrance, slightly out of breath as I adjusted my dress. It was simple but elegant, a soft blue outfit that felt just right for the occasion. I had done everything to plan, but of course, I was running behind. The chaos of getting ready and the last-minute checks on everything had left me feeling a bit frazzled, but beneath the nerves, there was a sense of excitement I couldn’t ignore. This moment was f
The Wife Swap Chapter 239: An eventful year
Ashley’s POVA Year LaterThe air was crisp, but the sun cast a warm, golden glow over the gravesite. I sat on the bench near Ashton’s tombstone, the scent of fresh flowers mixing with the earthy smell of the cemetery. In my hands, I held a bouquet of bright flowers and a box of cookies—the kind we used to love as kids.I arranged them carefully at the base of the stone, each movement slow, deliberate. I knew Ashton wasn’t really here, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was still with me—somewhere, somehow. Sometimes, I liked to think she could hear me, or at least, feel my presence. So, I began speaking aloud, as if she were sitting right beside me, just like when we were younger, chatting about everything and nothing at all.“It’s been an eventful year, Ash,” I murmured, feeling the weight of the words as I spoke them. “I guess you know that already, but I still need to say it. I’ve been doing a lot of things I never thought I’d do.”I paused, looking out at the rows of grave
The Wife Swap Chapter 238: Starting again
Ashley’s POVI swallowed hard, my throat tightening. The words felt like a punch in the gut, but in a way, they were also the relief I hadn’t known I was waiting for. My sister, my twin, had always been larger than life. She had overshadowed me in everything—her beauty, her confidence, her charisma. It wasn’t always intentional. She hadn’t known the effect she had on me, the way I always felt like I was just trying to catch up, just trying to exist beside her.“I’m sorry for all the times I overshadowed you, even without meaning to. You were always the best part of me.”The words blurred as tears welled up in my eyes. I hadn’t realized until that moment how much I had needed to hear them. I had spent so much of my life feeling like an afterthought, living in the space that Ashton’s brilliance had left behind. But now, as I read those words, I allowed myself to believe them—for the first time in my life.“I hope you can forgive me for all the times I wasn’t there, for all the mess I le
The Wife Swap Chapter 237: Rediscovery
Ashley’s POVThe room was quiet, save for the hum of the heater, a soft background noise that reminded me that I was no longer at the mansion. I sat at the small desk in the corner of my now shared apartment with Liv, staring at the blank page of my journal. The pen in my hand felt foreign, like I was holding someone else’s tool, meant for someone else’s purpose.It had been weeks since I left Andreas, though it still felt like I was living in the aftermath of that decision. The pain was still there, a constant presence in the pit of my stomach, but there was something else, too—a strange, bittersweet peace. I was no longer just pretending. I wasn’t living in the shadow of Ashton’s life, her successes, her untimely death. I was just... me.I shifted in the chair, pulling my knees up to my chest as I let my gaze drift out the window. The lights of the city twinkled below, but the sky above was dark, as though it mirrored the way I still felt inside. Despite the nights I cried myself to
The Wife Swap Chapter 236: Letting Go
Andreas’s POVMoving to the bedroom, I laid on Ashley’s side, feeling the coldness of the sheets where her warmth had once been. Without her, it felt wrong, everything felt wrong. But I couldn’t change it. Not yet, at least. She had made her choice, and I had to respect that.I had to admit it, even to myself: I didn’t think I could live without her. But as much as I ached for her, chasing after her now would only drive her further away. She needed time, space to figure herself out, and I wasn’t about to make her feel cornered. I wasn’t about to be the one who trapped her. She had already sacrificed so much for me, for Ashton. If I was going to love her the way she deserved, I had to let her go.I knew that she didn’t ask me to wait. She hadn’t asked me to do anything, really, except to give her what she needed. But in my heart, I couldn’t shake the resolve that I would wait for her. Time would pass, and maybe she’d find her way back to me. Or maybe she wouldn’t. But no matter what, I
The Wife Swap Chapter 235: Deafening emptiness
Andreas’s POVThe glass of whiskey sat in front of me, untouched, and I stared at it without really seeing it, my mind preoccupied with the words Ashley had left me with, the ones that echoed in my head like an unwanted refrain. “You deserve someone who fits seamlessly into your life, not someone who makes you choose.”For the first time, I questioned everything I had built. I had spent years constructing a life that was logical, pragmatic—a life that adhered to the rules of the world I was born into. A life where love was a luxury, something I could never afford. I married Ashton, not out of love, but because it was expected of me and I had wanted someone who wouldn’t be my father’s pawn. The contract was simple, clean, and it served its purpose. I chose the company over everything else, convincing myself that reputation, power, and control were all that mattered. I never allowed myself to truly love, not because I didn’t want to, but because I couldn’t. My heart, damaged by a condit
The Wife Swap Chapter 234: A love let go
Ashley’s POVI took a deep breath and sat down beside Andreas, feeling the coolness of the leather against my skin, the space between us growing more fragile with every passing second.“I don’t know where to start,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “I love you, Andreas. I’ve loved you for so long now, even when I didn’t know how to admit it, even when I didn’t know how to let myself feel it.”He was silent, his dark eyes fixed on me, watching me with a mixture of concern and understanding. He wasn’t interrupting, waiting patiently as I tried to find the right words. His presence was warm, comforting even, but it only made this harder.“I didn’t know what I was getting into when I agreed to the swap but meeting you has been one of the most rewarding moments of my existence,” I continued, the tears that had been threatening to spill finally falling freely. “You’ve shown me love, patience, and given me the strength to face so many things, things I didn’t even realize I needed to face. You’
The Wife Swap Chapter 233: Saying goodbye
Ashley’s POVThe day of Ashton’s burial was a blur of emotions. Grief, yes—I had expected that. But there was also relief, anger, hope, and a strange sense of peace that I couldn’t quite place.The small ceremony was held in a quiet corner of the Thorne estate, under a canopy of trees that Ashton would’ve loved. The turnout was larger than I’d anticipated. It wasn’t just family, though the Thorne family was represented in some way, with Andreas and Annabelle by my side. Workers from the gallery had come too, some of them tearfully recalling stories of Ashton’s quick wit and unmatched dedication to her work. Liv had been by my side the entire time and Faye had managed to track down a few close friends, and seeing their faces filled me with gratitude.Of course, Adam and Amarinth were nowhere to be seen. I hadn’t expected them to come, nor did I want them there. Thomas was absent too, but Sansa had made an appearance. I couldn’t help but notice how much lighter she seemed, almost radian
