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Chapter 218: Time to say goodbye
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2024-11-28 04:09:56Related chapters
The Wife Swap Chapter 219: When the silence breaks
Andreas’s POVThe drive to the hospital felt endless. The sterile lights of the hallway greeted us as we entered, the hum of fluorescent lights doing nothing to soften the silence. I could feel the tension in Ashley, her body stiff beside me, as though she was bracing herself for what she was about to face. I wanted to say something, to tell her that it was okay, but the words felt empty.We reached the mortuary, and the chill of the room hit me as soon as we walked in. The air was thick with antiseptic, the stark white walls and cold, metallic surfaces making everything feel more like a nightmare than reality. It was the last place I ever wanted to be with Ashley, but I knew this was something she needed.She stepped forward, her movements slow, almost as if she were afraid to disturb the stillness of the room. I could see the trembling of her hands as she reached out to touch the sheet that covered Ashton’s body. Her fingers lingered for a moment before she pulled back, almost as if
Last Updated : 2024-11-28The Wife Swap Chapter 220: Hanging by a thread
Ashley’s POVI sat there, my hands clenched tightly in my lap, the cold, sterile hum of the fluorescent lights above doing nothing but remind me of the harrowing reality that was my life right now. Everything felt so unreal. The waiting space outside the theatre seemed like a world away from everything that had happened just hours ago. My body felt heavy, and my mind raced, trying to make sense of it all. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t push away the overwhelming worry gnawing at my insides.What if Andreas didn’t make it? What if I lost him, too? The thought was unbearable. I had only just begun to realize how much he meant to me. How much I’d come to rely on him, how much I’d wanted to be with him, even when I couldn’t find the words to admit it. Now, as I sat there in this cold room, waiting for news, I realized just how much I had been holding back. Too many things left unsaid.I’d lost my sister tonight. And now it seemed fate wanted me to lose another precious person
Last Updated : 2024-11-28The Wife Swap Chapter 221: Drowning in things unsaid
Ashley’s POVI was drowning in all the things left unsaid, all the things I never had the courage to express. My breath came faster, shallow as I tried to force myself to calm down. But every thought just made the weight heavier.Faye must have sensed my distress because her arm slipped around my shoulders, pulling me close. Her touch was warm, steady, grounding, but it felt distant, like I was a world away from her, from everyone. I barely registered the gesture, my mind too consumed by the chaos inside. I nodded numbly, barely able to offer her a response. What could I say? Nothing felt right. Nothing felt enough.Hours passed. I couldn’t tell if it was one hour or ten, but every second dragged on painfully. I could barely remember what life felt like before all of this. The world had changed too quickly, and I couldn’t catch my breath.Then, I saw her.Annabelle’s face appeared in the doorway, her expression pale, drawn with worry. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days. My heart
Last Updated : 2024-11-28The Wife Swap Chapter 222: Not okay
Ashley’s POVIt had been days, maybe more. Time blurred together in a haze of white walls and constant beeping machines. I couldn’t tear myself away from Andreas’s side. Not even to sleep. I barely ate, though Liv, Faye, and Annabelle tried—each of them bringing me food, clothes, offering reassurances that I couldn’t fully absorb. They meant well, but I couldn’t stop the ache in my chest, the hollow weight of fear and exhaustion that had settled in after Andreas’s surgery. Every minute felt like a lifetime.The hardest part was seeing him through the glass, so close yet so far away. I’d press my hand against the cool window, as if I could somehow reach him, feel his warmth again. But all I could do was watch, helpless, as he lay there, motionless. It was a cruel game of waiting, and I wasn’t sure how much more of it I could take.Sometimes, when I couldn’t stand watching him from outside, I found myself drifting toward the morgue. Each time, though, I stopped at the door. My hand woul
Last Updated : 2024-11-28The Wife Swap Chapter 223: A family meeting
Ashley’s POVAs I stepped into the grand meeting room, it hit me that I wasn’t pretending to be Ashton anymore, not that most of them even realized. But yet, I felt like an imposter. Every step I took seemed heavier, as though the air was thick with judgment. The eyes that turned toward me were cool, calculating, and I could almost hear the unspoken questions echoing in the silence. What are you doing here?I could feel every inch of their scrutiny. It was suffocating. I clenched my fists at my sides, forcing my back straight.Alfred, who had called this meeting, was the first to speak. He sat at the head of the long, dark wood table, his posture impeccable. “I’ll begin with the unfortunate matter of Ashton, my daughter-in-law’s death,” he said, his voice carrying a controlled calmness that I envied. “We are all aware of the tragedy, but I want to stress the importance of discretion. I’ve been working hard to keep the media from running unflattering reports, but as you all know, there
Last Updated : 2024-11-29The Wife Swap Chapter 224: Left behind
Ashley’s POVAmarinth’s words, no matter how much I’d expected it, cut deep, each one feeling like a stab to my heart. Were they really this heartless? Did they care so little about Andreas that they were already planning his replacement while he was fighting for his life? My chest felt tight, as if I couldn’t breathe. I opened my mouth again, but no sound came out. The urge to scream, to lash out at them for even entertaining the idea, was overwhelming. But I stayed still, feeling the rage bubble inside of me.And then, a voice from the side—Annabelle. She had been so quiet up until this point, her eyes focused on the table as if she were deep in thought, but now, her gaze was sharp, her words cutting through the air like a blade.“Enough,” Annabelle said, her voice icy but strong. “You’re all focused on taking over the company, on your precious business—while Andreas is fighting for his life.” Her eyes locked on Adam and Amarinth, one by one, her words deliberate. “Do you have any i
Last Updated : 2024-11-29The Wife Swap Chapter 225: Her last words
Ashley’s POVThe quiet hum of the vitals monitor was the only sound that filled the room, and I found myself counting the beats as I watched Andreas. His stillness was both a comfort and a torment. The steady rise and fall of his chest was a reminder that he was alive, that he was still fighting, but at the same time, I couldn’t escape the feeling of helplessness that washed over me every time I looked at him.The weight of Ashton’s death still clung to me, pressing me down like the air had been sucked from the room. I missed her—her sharp tongue, her sarcastic smile, her presence that was both maddening and comforting. But now, all I had left of her were memories and the things she’d left behind. And somehow, I had to face them.I glanced at Andreas again, his body motionless on the bed, his breaths shallow but steady. There was a part of me that wanted to shake him awake, to demand he open his eyes and tell me everything would be okay. But I knew better. The doctors had warned us. T
Last Updated : 2024-11-29The Wife Swap Chapter 226: I’m here
Ashley’s POVI leaned forward, staring at Andreas’s sleeping form. My heart ached for him too, for everything he was going through. “I’m so sorry, Andreas,” I whispered, the words slipping out before I could stop them. “I never got to tell Ashton…how much I loved her. How much I regret everything we never said. And now, I might never get the chance to tell you either.”Tears pricked my eyes again as I spoke, my voice breaking as I let myself cry. For Ashton. For Andreas. For myself. The past few days had been an unrelenting blur of uncertainty, of grief, and I had tried so hard to hold it together. But I couldn’t anymore. I couldn’t be strong anymore. It felt like everything inside me was unraveling, and there was no one here to pick up the pieces but me.“I’m sorry,” I said again, my voice barely above a whisper, as I leaned forward and placed my hand on Andreas’s, the coolness of his skin making me shiver. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I don’t know how to fix any of this.”
Last Updated : 2024-11-29
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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
