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Chapter 171: A friend’s embrace
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2024-11-15 02:04:24Related chapters
The Wife Swap Chapter 172: The Drive
Ashley’s POVThe sun was just beginning to filter through the curtains when I stirred awake, the soft light casting a warm glow on the room. I felt the gentle rise and fall of Liv’s breathing beside me, her arm draped protectively over my waist. The comfort of her presence was a balm against the raw anxiety I’d been carrying, and I was grateful beyond words that she stayed with me, even as a part of me battled the nagging sense that I was becoming a burden.I carefully slid out of bed, trying not to wake her, but she shook anyway, her eyes fluttering open. “Morning,” she mumbled sleepily, giving me a small smile.“Morning,” I whispered back, offering a weak smile of my own.She propped herself up on one elbow, scanning my face with that perceptive gaze of hers. “Did you sleep at all?”I shrugged, avoiding her eyes. “A little. You?”She chuckled, though there’s a tiredness in her laugh. “Enough to get by. But you look like you need a few more hours.”I opened my mouth to protest, but s
Last Updated : 2024-11-15The Wife Swap Chapter 173: The weight of lies
Ashley’s POVI must have fallen asleep eventually because the next time I opened my eyes, we we were pulling up in front of the mansion. The familiar gates stood ahead, its grand pillars and immaculate gardens feeling suffocating instead of welcoming. I gripped the door handle for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady myself. It was strange, but the instant we were back, it felt like every bit of relaxation I had gotten from trying to clear my head in Vermont evaporated. The weight of everything—the lies, the confusion, the unknowns—settled back onto my shoulders, heavier than ever.Liv unbuckled her seatbelt, turned to look at me with a determined expression. “Alright, let’s get inside. We’ll take a quick look in Ashton’s room and see if we can find anything else that might give us a clue.”I caught her arm before she could fully push the door open. “Liv, wait,” I said softly. She glanced back at me, eyebrows raised. “You’ve been driving non-stop for hours. I can’t ask you to do t
Last Updated : 2024-11-15The Wife Swap Chapter 174: You don’t have to pretend
Ashley’s POVAnnabelle practically yanked me into her room, a wide smile on her face as she dragged me toward the bed. It was covered in a rainbow of dresses, all laid out in neat rows like she was about to put on a fashion show. I tried to match her energy, but my mind was elsewhere. The image of that letter in Ashton’s handwriting kept flashing before my eyes. Each time I replayed those words, I felt like I was sinking deeper into quicksand.Annabelle held up a pale pink dress, turning it this way and that in front of her. “I’m thinking this one could be cute for the birthday party tomorrow,” she said, glancing at me for my opinion. “It’s soft but classy, you know?”I nodded, forcing myself to smile. “It’s lovely. Very...elegant.” The words felt mechanical, like they were coming from someone else. I watched as she held it against her body, examining herself in the mirror. It was like I was seeing her through a fog.She noticed my distant expression and frowned slightly. “You don’t t
Last Updated : 2024-11-15The Wife Swap Chapter 175: Missing him
Ashley’s POVBefore I could react, Andreas moved across the room with a swift, deliberate grace. He reached for me, his hand cradling the back of my head, and pulled me into a kiss. The shock of it sent a jolt through me, and for a second, I was too stunned to move. His lips were soft yet firm, a mix of urgency and tenderness that left me breathless. It was the kind of kiss that melted away everything around us, the kind that made me forget, if only for a moment, who I was pretending to be.Annabelle let out a dramatic whistle, clearly amused. “Alright, alright, get out of my room, you two lovebirds!” she laughed, shooing us away with a playful wave of her hand. “Go on and enjoy your little romantic moment elsewhere.”Andreas chuckled as he pulled away, his eyes locked onto mine with a warmth that sent shivers down my spine. I, on the other hand, was still trying to regain my composure, feeling my cheeks flush with a heat I couldn’t disguise.He slipped his hand into mine as we left A
Last Updated : 2024-11-15The Wife Swap Chapter 176: Stay
Ashley’s POVThe steam from the bath swirled around us, a hazy veil that made me feel like we were in our own bubble, hidden from the world outside. Andreas’s touch was gentle as he helped me out of my dress, his fingers lingering on my skin. A shiver ran down my spine, a mix of anticipation and nervousness.As he helped me into the tub, I couldn’t help but steal a glance at him. He was watching me, his eyes dark and intense. A spark ignited between us, and it felt so good to see his admiration, to feel his desire permeate the space around us. I shyly gestured for him to join me, my heart pounding in my chest.He hesitated, his eyes widening with surprise. Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, he began to undress. As he shed his clothes, the tension between us grew palpable. Every muscle, every curve of his body was on display, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away.When he finally stepped into the tub, the water rippled around him, highlighting the contours of his body. I felt a surge o
Last Updated : 2024-11-15The Wife Swap Chapter 177: Now and always
Ashley’s POVI hadn't realized how deeply I'd come to feel for Ashley-not until these two nights she was gone from the mansion. I'd told myself I was giving her space, that she deserved a proper night out with her best friend, but the emptiness that filled these hallways in her absence was suffocating. Every text I sent was brief, my way of respecting her time, but it became a struggle not to reach out just to hear her voice. This house, grand and polished as it was, only felt like a home when she was here. Somehow, in her warmth and laughter, I'd found something I didn't even know I was searching for: a sense of belonging, of comfort. A place I wanted to come back to. Home was a person-and it was Ashley.When she'd looked up at me tonight, a soft, vulnerable expression in her eyes, and asked me to stay with her, to join her in the tub, it was all I could do to keep my composure.As I held her hand, guiding her toward my bedroom, her fingers small and delicate in mine, my mind churned
Last Updated : 2024-11-15The Wife Swap Chapter 178: The corner of my eye
Ashley's POVAs we pulled up to the hotel hall, a wave of relief washed over me. Thankfully, the birthday was not at the imposing Thorne mansion. The mansion always felt like a battleground to me—an unfamiliar, unforgiving space where I couldn’t find my place. There, I was constantly on edge, feeling like I was surrounded by too many expectations, too many watchful eyes. But here, in the neutral, well-lit hall, everything seemed different. The polished floors, the tasteful decor, the soft hum of conversation—it all felt less like a place I had to fight to fit into and more like one where I could just…exist for a moment as myself, and not an impostor, though I knew it wouldn’t last long once I had to mingle and pretend that I was my jovial outgoing sister.I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to smile as I stood beside Annabelle. She clung to my side like I was the only thing holding her together in this sea of unfamiliar faces. It was strange, how comforting it was to have her close, desp
Last Updated : 2024-11-17The Wife Swap Chapter 179: Unwelcome reunion
Ashley’s POV“Ah, there you are,” Kennedy said, his voice smooth and warm. There was something about his tone that didn’t sit right with me, but I wasn’t sure why. His eyes flicked from Andreas to me, as if measuring the distance between us before he spoke again. “Nice to see you tonight, Ash.”“Kennedy,” Andreas replied, his voice tight but polite.The woman beside Kennedy took a step forward, extending her hand to Andreas with a smile that seemed a little too bright, a little too welcoming. “Andreas,” she said, her voice smooth and light. “It’s so good to see you again.”She leaned in and kissed both of his cheeks, a gesture that, despite its warmth, made me feel an uncomfortable pang in my chest. I watched as Andreas remained still, his expression unreadable, though I could sense the slight tension in his jaw. When she pulled away, she turned to me, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took me in. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.“Ah, and you must be Ashton,” she said, her v
Last Updated : 2024-11-17
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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
