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Chapter 140: In the Shadow of Expectations
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2024-10-30 08:28:00Related chapters
The Wife Swap Chapter 141: The sidelines
Ashley’s POVI woke to the first sliver of morning light creeping through the blinds, its pale warmth doing little to shake the lingering exhaustion weighing me down. I was tempted to close my eyes again, pull the blanket over my head, and pretend that everything was fine, that last night’s events hadn’t happened. But it was no use; there was too much to do, too many questions without answers. And the worst of it? The thought of Andreas—how we’d left things, his anguished expression, the edge in his voice… It twisted in my chest like a knife.With a sigh, I grabbed my phone, planning to call Liv and tell her everything about the investigator’s findings and the possibility that Ashton might still be alive. But a message from Thomas lit up the screen instead: I miss you. Let’s meet up. I rolled my eyes, irritation flaring. This was the last thing I needed. I’d had enough of Thomas’s messages, his attempts to stay in Ashton’s life as if he somehow deserved a place here. Ignoring him, I t
Last Updated : 2024-10-31The Wife Swap Chapter 142: Messy or complicated
Ashley’s POV“I’m already mixed up in it,” I replied, my voice steady even as my heart hammered. “Look, I want to meet with the investigator. I need to know everything you know, every detail—no matter how messy or complicated.”He sighed, looking down for a moment, his brow furrowing as if he was weighing something heavy in his mind. When he looked up again, his gaze had softened, and he nodded, albeit reluctantly. “Alright,” he said. “We’ll go together.”A rush of relief flooded me, though I was careful not to let it show. I nodded, managing a small smile. “I can live with that.”A faint smile ghosted across his face, and for a moment, the tension between us seemed to ease, leaving something else in its wake—something unspoken yet almost tangible. He released his hold on me, and I took a step back, missing his warmth instantly.Andreas’s hand remained wrapped around mine as we made our way toward the dining table. His grip was warm and steady, and though he didn’t look back, I could
Last Updated : 2024-10-31The Wife Swap Chapter 143: His Heart
Ashley’s POVThe ride to the hospital was quiet, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. There was an unspoken understanding between us—a fragile thread that neither of us wanted to break. I felt it, this gentle, lingering energy, as I sat beside Andreas, watching him stare out the window. His posture looked relaxed, yet his shoulders held a hint of tension that seemed… vulnerable.In these moments, I almost forgot the Andreas I first met: the untouchable CEO with the steely gaze and perfect composure. Today, he seemed more human, as if all the walls he’d spent years constructing were letting a little light through.I wanted to reach over, just to touch his hand or brush his shoulder, but I held back. A part of me wondered if I was overstepping. After all, I barely knew the depth of what he was dealing with, and yet, here I was, sharing in this intensely personal moment. But then again, he’d invited me to come. That must mean something… right?As we pulled up to the hospital, Andreas glanced ove
Last Updated : 2024-10-31The Wife Swap Chapter 144: A shared secret
Ashley’s POVCuriosity—and maybe a little fear—urged me to type in a few words: pacemaker heart condition. As I read through the basics, fragments began to piece together in my mind. The watch that beeped frequently, the scar I’d noticed on his chest, his fatigue that he tried so hard to hide…He hadn’t wanted me to know. Or maybe, he didn’t want anyone to know. And that was why his secretary had looked at me with that odd, almost pitying expression when I’d casually mentioned asthma. I’d been so, so wrong.I slipped my phone back into my bag just as Andreas reappeared from the lab. His shoulders were stiff, his smile tight as he listened to something the doctor said. I couldn’t hear the words, but I saw the slight crease in Andreas’s brow, the way he nodded in that polite, detached way he used when he was trying to keep his emotions at bay. He caught my eye and walked over, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.“Do you want to get something to eat before we meet with the i
Last Updated : 2024-10-31The Wife Swap Chapter 145: Meeting Ashton
Ashley’s POVI looked down at our hands, still clasped together on the table, his warmth grounding me. The weight of what he’d just shared settled between us, and I found myself at a loss for words. It was as if I was seeing a part of him he’d hidden from the world—a part he’d let me glimpse, if only for this moment.“Thank you,” I murmured, my thumb brushing over his. “For trusting me with this.” I could feel his gaze on me, searching, as though he were gauging my reaction, waiting to see if I’d recoil from the truth. But how could I? Knowing only made him seem more…human. Real. And despite everything, I couldn’t deny the growing protectiveness unfurling in me—a feeling I hadn’t expected, but couldn’t ignore.“What about the watch?” I blurted out, curiosity winning over my hesitation. “What’s it for?”Andreas’s gaze flickered to the watch on his wrist, a sleek, modern piece that seemed to pulse with a life of its own. “It monitors my pulse,” he said, his voice steady but his eyes bet
Last Updated : 2024-10-31The Wife Swap Chapter 146: Unearthing the past
Ashley’s POVI searched his eyes, wanting to understand more about the dynamics between him and Ashton but resisting the urge to rush him. A part of me didn’t want to know more, afraid of what else I might learn about Ashton’s choices.Andreas leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair as he collected his thoughts. The café bustled around us, but in our little bubble, the noise faded into a distant hum. “It was during that vulnerable moment,” he began, his voice tinged with a hint of regret, “that Ashton figured out I had some sort of condition. I tried to deflect, to brush it off, but I could see the wheels turning in her mind.”I nodded, holding my breath because I wasn’t certain I might like what came next. “Oh,” I said softly, not sure of what else to sayin that moment.“Over time, we met a few more times casually, because I felt indebted to her, but it became painfully clear that she was very much interested in knowing more about my health,” he admitted, his gaze d
Last Updated : 2024-10-31The Wife Swap Chapter 147: A kiss of promises
Ashley’s POVAndreas’s smile deepened, and I could see he’d seen right through me when he squeezed my hand. “Throughout the marriage, Ashton tried her best to get me interested in more,” he continued, his tone soft but distant. “I didn’t blame her, really. We were only supposed to be married for a short time, and I guess she really enjoyed the perks of being married to me and thought she could convince me to extend the timeframe, but we both knew she didn’t care about anything beyond financial security. I never had any illusions about our marriage being for love.” He shrugged, almost wistful. “It was a business arrangement—she could have her lovers, and I could have mine.”He said it so plainly, but the truth behind those words weighed heavily between us. A part of me couldn’t help but wonder if he knew about Thomas, if he was aware that one of the men she’d chosen as a lover was his own brother-in-law. My stomach tightened at the thought. If he knew, would he have cared, or would it
Last Updated : 2024-10-31The Wife Swap Chapter 148: Facing the Unknown
Ashley’s POVAs we pulled away from the kiss, the lingering warmth on my lips made it hard to breathe, and for a moment, I was left speechless. Andreas’s eyes held mine with an intensity I wasn’t used to seeing, and for a second, all my thoughts—the doubts, the fears—dissolved into the softness of his gaze.My heart pounded, and though a part of me wanted to reach out, to pull him back to me, I couldn’t shake the creeping uncertainty. The words spilled out before I could catch them. “Andreas… I don’t know if this is a good idea,” I murmured, my voice barely steady. “Maybe we should…maybe it would be better if we kept things professional. Cordial.”But the words felt hollow, like I was trying to convince myself of something I didn’t believe. His expression shifted, and I thought I saw a flicker of hurt before he reached for me again, silencing my doubts with another kiss that made my heart race. He pulled back slowly, his hand resting on my cheek, his thumb brushing gently along my jaw
Last Updated : 2024-10-31
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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
