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Chapter 204: The cost of power
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2024-11-26 07:51:00Related chapters
The Wife Swap Chapter 205: A sister’s guilt
Andreas’s POVThe weight of my father’s words still stayed on my mind as I walked toward the entrance of the mansion. It wasn’t quite an apology—Alfred Thorne didn’t do apologies—but it was close enough. A subtle acknowledgment of his failures, wrapped in his typical challenge for me to prove myself. Somehow, it was enough. For now.Ashton stood near the grand iron gates, arms crossed as she stared out at the driveway. She looked restless, her sharp eyes scanning the approaching rain clouds. I was about to call her name when the sound of footsteps drew both of our attention. Amarinth and Thomas were walking toward us, their umbrellas raised against the growing drizzle.“Amarinth,” I greeted stiffly, nodding to her and intentionally saying nothing to Thomas. I had nothing to say to him and it was a miracle that I was still able to comport myself without reaching out to punch his face for what he’d tried to do at the birthday party.Thomas barely spared me a glance, his attention fixed
Last Updated : 2024-11-26The Wife Swap Chapter 206: Desperate pursuit
Andreas’s POVThe apartment was eerily quiet, save for the constant tapping of my fingers against the kitchen counter as I reviewed the scattered papers in front of me. Every lead we’d chased down so far had turned up nothing but dead ends, and I was becoming increasingly frustrated. Somewhere out there, Ashley was counting on me to find her, and I felt like I was failing her. The visit to my father had been necessary, but it left me more drained than I’d anticipated. The man had a way of stirring old wounds while simultaneously piling on fresh ones.Ashton sat across the room, her legs curled under her on the couch. She was scrolling through her phone, presumably checking for any updates from Faye or Liv. I could see the tension in her posture, the slight tremble in her hand as she gripped the device. Despite her outward calm, I knew the fear for her sister was eating away at her, especially after her break down in the car.“No updates from Liv or Faye?” I asked, though I already kne
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Wife Swap Chapter 207: False leads
Andreas’s POVThe rain started as we hit the highway, a steady drizzle that blurred the world outside the car. Ashton sat quietly in the passenger seat, her fingers drumming against her knee. I kept my focus on the road, but the silence between us was heavy.Finally, she spoke, her voice softer than before. “You really love her, don’t you?”The question caught me off guard. I glanced at her briefly before returning my eyes to the road. “Yeah,” I admitted. “I do.”Ashton gave a small, humorless laugh. “I never thought I’d hear you say that about anyone.”“Why’s that?” I asked, my lips curving into a faint smile despite the tension.“Because you’re…you,” she said, gesturing vaguely. “The Andreas Thorne. The guy who doesn’t get attached. I mean, don’t get me wrong, you were always nice to me even when I was nothing but an irritant. But this? This is different.”“It is,” I said simply. “She’s…different. She’s everything I never knew I needed. And when this is all over, I’m going to do wha
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Wife Swap Chapter 208: Endless despair
Ashley’s POV I had no idea how long I’d been here. Hours, days—they all blurred into one endless stretch of despair. The first room Kennedy had kept me in had been cold, dark, and uninviting, as though he wanted me to feel the weight of my helplessness. But after a few days—at least, I thought it had been a few days—he moved me upstairs.The new room was the exact opposite. It was beautiful in a way that felt eerie, like stepping into a staged photo from a home decor magazine. A queen-sized bed with crisp white linens, a vanity lined with untouched makeup, and soft lighting that made everything look warm and cozy. It was a lie. A gilded cage, no matter how prettily dressed.“See?” Kennedy had said, standing in the doorway as I took it all in for the first time. “I told you things would get better if you behaved.” His smile had been warm, almost affectionate, but his eyes carried that unsettling glint that always made my stomach twist.I’d nodded, murmuring, “Thank you,” because that’
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Wife Swap Chapter 209: Tethered to Madness
Ashley’s POVFor a moment, his grip slackened, and I sucked in a desperate breath, coughing as oxygen flooded back into my lungs. He stepped back slightly, staring at me as though he couldn’t believe what he’d done. His hand hovered in the air, trembling.“I’m sorry,” he muttered, almost to himself. His face twisted, guilt flickering in his eyes for the briefest moment before it was consumed by the same blazing fury as before. “Of course you didn’t know. How could you? You’ve been too busy pretending to be her.”My heart dropped at the venom in his voice. I pressed myself further against the headboard, desperate to create distance between us.“Kennedy, please,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm, steady. “I don’t know what’s going on, but—”“Shut up!” he snapped, cutting me off. “She lied to me. She deceived me. She let me believe she was dead while she’s been out there—alive!” His voice dropped into something cold and sinister, the fury simmering into something more dangerous. “She
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Wife Swap Chapter 210: Mindless obsession
Kennedy’s POVI paced the length of the living room, my hands clasping and unclasping into fists as my thoughts churned like a storm. Ashton. Alive. The image of her walking around, carefree and untouched, burned into my mind. It didn’t make sense—none of it made sense. How could she do this to me? How could she let me believe she was gone, that she was dead, while she went on living as though none of it mattered?My teeth clenched, and I slammed a fist against the wall, the sound echoing through the room. The sting in my knuckles was nothing compared to the ache in my chest. It wasn’t just anger—it was betrayal. I had mourned her. I had convinced myself that her absence was permanent, that I’d been robbed of her, and now, here she was. Alive. Free.She played me for a fool. She always thought she was smarter, better. But not this time. No. This time, she would know what it felt like to lose everything. She had to pay—she needed to feel every ounce of the pain she caused me.But... it
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Wife Swap Chapter 211: Saving you from yourself
Ashton’s POVI remembered our first day of sophomore year. The day had started innocently enough, but it quickly turned into one of those messes that only I seemed capable of getting myself into. As usual, I had done something reckless—something that could have gotten me into serious trouble.I had been caught, of course, red-handed and thoroughly guilty, but Ashley had stepped in without hesitation. She’d told them it was her fault, that she’d been the one who made the mistake, even though I knew it wasn’t true. She had shielded me without a second thought. And everyone believed her. She was the “good” twin—the calm, reasonable one—and I was always the one in trouble.I hadn’t really understood why she did it, not fully. Why would she take the fall for me? She knew I was the one who’d screwed up, yet she still protected me. The words she’d said to me on the way home stuck with me, though. We had walked in silence for a while, the weight of what had just happened causing the air to fe
Last Updated : 2024-11-27The Wife Swap Chapter 212: Blindfolded
Ashton’s POVKennedy.He entered the lounge with the same confident stride I remembered so well, his eyes scanning the room as if he owned the place. And then, as if he was drawn to me, his gaze locked on mine. I felt a chill run down my spine as he started walking towards me. I couldn’t breathe for a moment, couldn’t move, and before I knew it, he was sitting opposite me, his presence like a suffocating weight on the air.He didn’t say anything at first, just studied me with a strange mix of disbelief and satisfaction, like he couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing. His eyes narrowed as if trying to make sense of what was right in front of him. He glanced down at my face, taking in the familiar features, before his lips parted, a low laugh escaping his mouth.“I can’t believe you’re really here,” he muttered, his voice thick with something unidentifiable. “I thought you were dead, Ashton.”I leaned back in my seat, not even flinching. I didn’t want him to see how much his words af
Last Updated : 2024-11-27
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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
