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Chapter 48: Way over my head
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2024-09-01 23:03:37
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The Wife Swapย ย ย Chapter 49: Drowning
Ashleyโs POVAs I stepped out of the elevator, the metal doors sliding shut behind me, the weight of the contract in my hand felt almost oppressive. Each step I took across the floor seemed to echo in the lobby, amplifying my growing sense of dread, but before I could gather my thoughts, I saw Faye walking into the building.Faye, seemingly preoccupied, was holding a phone to her ear, her voice a steady stream of professional calm. But the moment her eyes locked with mine, she lowered the phone, cutting off whoever was on the other end mid-sentence. โAshton?โI could see the way her face fell when she realized that I wasnโt my sister, returned from wherever she disappeared to, but she smiled again as she headed for me, โI was just about to call you,โ she said, slipping the phone into her bag with a practiced motion. Her tone was a mix of surprise and curiosity. โWhat are you doing here?โCaught off guard, I stammered, โI could ask you the same thing.โFaye chuckled, the sound tinged w
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-09-02The Wife Swapย ย ย Chapter 50: Vermont
Ashleyโs POVThe drive to Vermont was long, but I didnโt mind. I welcomed the distance, the time to myself, even if Adamโs presence was a constant reminder that I wasnโt truly alone. As we neared my apartment, I finally opened my eyes, staring out at the familiar streets that felt almost foreign after everything that had happened.โCan you drop me here?โ I asked, my voice still soft but a bit steadier now. Adam didnโt respond verbally, just nodded once again, his gaze flickering to me in the rearview mirror.The last thing I needed was for someone to see me getting out of a chauffeured car,l with a driver that was dressed like a bodyguard, especially in this neighborhood, where people would notice. Questions would be asked, and I wasnโt in any state to answer them.I stepped out of the car, the cool evening air brushing against my skin as I made my way down the familiar streets toward my apartment building. My steps were slow, and hesitant, as if I was trying to delay the inevitable r
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-09-02The Wife Swapย ย ย Chapter 51: Unabashed desires
Andreasโ POVI leaned against the chair as Ashley stormed out of my office, the beeping of my watch evidence of the rapid pounding in my chest. It had been several hours since Ashley confessed to me that sheโd been pretending to be her twin who was my wife in paper, Ashton and even though Iโd not wanted to believe it, watching her today in my office had finally fixed the missing part of the puzzle that Iโd been trying to solve since I noticed something was amiss back in Aspen.How had I not even seen it?For months after we married, Ashton had tried to seduce me, to blur the lines of our marriage contract for her own personal gain. I had resisted her advances, not because I thought she was unattractive but because people like Ashton were never satisfied and mixing business with pleasure with someone like her whose loyalty was only to herself was foolery.I had thought I was going mad when I had started to find Ashton's allure impossible to ignore. But it wasn't Ashton I was attracted
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-09-03The Wife Swapย ย ย Chapter 52: Distractions
Andreasโ POVI had forgotten how easy it was to deal with women. Tons wanted me, wanted to please me, and would do anything I wanted just for the opportunity to speak with me so I knew that if my father found out Iโd married for convenience and was even paying at the end of it,l instead of just marrying one of the many options heโd selected for me, he would be furious. When I arrived at the rendezvous point that Iโd be meeting up with Sydney, one of the women I had a casual on-and-off relationship with, I saw a familiar scene already prepared. She was standing there, naked and waiting, just like she used to. In the past, this sight would have excited me, the prospect of momentarily filling up my sexual appetites appealing. However, at that moment, there was no excitement. Instead, a strong desire to turn around and leave took over, overshadowing any remaining arousal.The scene, which was once familiar and pleasing, now felt empty. The lack of excitement and the strong desire to hur
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-09-04The Wife Swapย ย ย Chapter 53: A visitor
Ashleyโs POVI sat up so quickly that the world spun for a moment. My heart pounded in my chest as I processed the words Iโd just heard. "Thank you," I managed to say to the airport official on the other end of the line. "Iโll be there first thing tomorrow morning."As soon as the call ended, I stared at my phone, the familiar weight of dread settling in my stomach. I had to call Liv. My fingers trembled as I dialed her number, praying she would pick up. When the voicemail beeped, I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady.โLiv, itโs me. IโI've been called in to check the footage tomorrow, to see if...if Ashton was there.โ The words stuck in my throat. โIโm scared, Liv. Iโm so scared that...that Iโm going to see her at the airport. What ifโโ My voice cracked, and I couldnโt hold back the tears any longer. They came in a sudden, uncontrollable rush. โWhat if she was there, Liv? What ifโโThe call cut off as I lost control, and I let the phone slip from my fingers. My chest f
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-09-05The Wife Swapย ย ย Chapter 54: one step closer
Ashley's POVI stepped aside, gesturing for Andreas to enter. He gave me a long, scrutinizing look before stepping inside, his eyes sweeping the small space like he was searching for something. I watched him, my heart pounding with a mix of anger and something elseโsomething I didnโt want to name.As he glanced around the room, I couldnโt hold back any longer. "Satisfied?" I asked, my voice cold. "If youโve seen enough, you can go. I havenโt agreed to the contract yet, and even if I do, that doesnโt mean weโre friends. You canโt just show up to my apartment."He turned to face me, his expression unreadable, and for a moment, we stood there in silence, just staring each other down. The air between us was thick with tension, neither of us willing to back down.Then, suddenly, his phone rang, breaking the moment. Andreasโs eyes flicked away from mine as he pulled out his phone, glancing at the screen. He hesitated for a second before answering it, his voice low and curt as he spoke.I to
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-09-05The Wife Swapย ย ย Chapter 55: What then?
Ashleyโs POVThe drive to the airport was tense and quiet, and I could feel every second stretch painfully between us. I had wanted to drive separately, to avoid sitting in this unbearable silence with Andreas, but it didnโt make sense. Andreas was also heading to the airport and it wouldโve been stubborn and pointless to insist on going back with my driver; Adam.My phone buzzed in my lap, pulling me from the haze of my thoughts. I glanced down to see Livโs name on the screen. "Should I call you?" sheโd written. I stared at the message for a moment, my thumb hovering over the keyboard, unsure of what to say. I wanted to talk to her, needed the comfort of her voice, but I knew if I heard her, Iโd lose it. I was hanging by a thread, barely holding myself together as it was, and the last thing I needed was to unravel completely, especially here, in this car, with Andreas right next to me.I let out a slow breath and typed a quick response, "Not right now, I'll call you later." I hesitat
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-09-07The Wife Swapย ย ย Chapter 56: Too difficult
Ashley's POVWe pulled up to the airport, the massive structure looming ahead of us, cold and unfeeling. I swallowed the lump in my throat, trying to focus on anything but the overwhelming fear clawing at my insides. Clint parked the car and Andreas got out first, his movements quick and efficient, like he was on autopilot. I followed him, my legs feeling like lead as I stepped out into the cool air. He looked over at me briefly, his expression unreadable, before walking around to join me.As we walked toward the reception area, his hand found its way to the small of my back, guiding me forward. The contact was gentle, almost reassuring, but it sent a shiver down my spine. I wasnโt sure if it was the cool blast of air conditioning from the sliding doors, the anxiety swirling inside me, or the simple fact that his hand was there.I didnโt pull away, but I didnโt lean into it either. I was too focused on the knot in my chest, tightening with every step. My eyes darted around the airport
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2024-09-09
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The Wife Swapย ย ย Chapter 241: A new beginning
Ashleyโs POVโThank you,โ I managed, taking the bouquet from Andreas, my fingers trembling slightly. โYouโฆ you came.โHe chuckled softly, nodding. โWouldnโt miss it. Iโm proud of you, Ashley. Youโre amazing. The bookโฆitโs incredible.โ He paused, and the warmth in his eyes made my heart race. โIโve already read it, by the way,โ he added, a hint of teasing in his tone. โI couldnโt put it down.โA small, awkward laugh escaped my lips, a nervous sound. โYou read it?โ I asked, almost incredulous. โAll of it?โHe nodded, his gaze unwavering. โEvery word. You have a real talent, Ashley. Iโm not just saying that because ofโฆwell, because of us.โ He gave a small smile, almost sheepish, and I swallowed, fighting the urge to reach out and kiss him. โYouโve always had it in you. Iโm just glad the world gets to know the face behind the work.โI 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 heโd leave after I responded a
The Wife Swapย ย ย Chapter 240: A heartfelt reunion
Ashleyโs POVThe book launch venue was everything Iโd hoped it would beโa 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 couldnโt ignore. This moment was f
The Wife Swapย ย ย Chapter 239: An eventful year
Ashleyโs POVA Year LaterThe air was crisp, but the sun cast a warm, golden glow over the gravesite. I sat on the bench near Ashtonโs 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 cookiesโthe kind we used to love as kids.I arranged them carefully at the base of the stone, each movement slow, deliberate. I knew Ashton wasnโt really here, but I couldnโt shake the feeling that she was still with meโsomewhere, 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.โItโs been an eventful year, Ash,โ I murmured, feeling the weight of the words as I spoke them. โI guess you know that already, but I still need to say it. Iโve been doing a lot of things I never thought Iโd do.โI paused, looking out at the rows of grave
The Wife Swapย ย ย Chapter 238: Starting again
Ashleyโs 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 hadnโt known I was waiting for. My sister, my twin, had always been larger than life. She had overshadowed me in everythingโher beauty, her confidence, her charisma. It wasnโt always intentional. She hadnโt 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.โIโm sorry for all the times I overshadowed you, even without meaning to. You were always the best part of me.โThe words blurred as tears welled up in my eyes. I hadnโt 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 Ashtonโs brilliance had left behind. But now, as I read those words, I allowed myself to believe themโfor the first time in my life.โI hope you can forgive me for all the times I wasnโt there, for all the mess I le
The Wife Swapย ย ย Chapter 237: Rediscovery
Ashleyโs 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 elseโs tool, meant for someone elseโs 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, tooโa strange, bittersweet peace. I was no longer just pretending. I wasnโt living in the shadow of Ashtonโs 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 Swapย ย ย Chapter 236: Letting Go
Andreasโs POVMoving to the bedroom, I laid on Ashleyโs side, feeling the coldness of the sheets where her warmth had once been. Without her, it felt wrong, everything felt wrong. But I couldnโt 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 didnโt 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 wasnโt about to make her feel cornered. I wasnโt 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 didnโt ask me to wait. She hadnโt asked me to do anything, really, except to give her what she needed. But in my heart, I couldnโt shake the resolve that I would wait for her. Time would pass, and maybe sheโd find her way back to me. Or maybe she wouldnโt. But no matter what, I
The Wife Swapย ย ย Chapter 235: Deafening emptiness
Andreasโs 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. โYou deserve someone who fits seamlessly into your life, not someone who makes you choose.โFor the first time, I questioned everything I had built. I had spent years constructing a life that was logical, pragmaticโa 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 wouldnโt be my fatherโs 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 didnโt want to, but because I couldnโt. My heart, damaged by a condit
The Wife Swapย ย ย Chapter 234: A love let go
Ashleyโs 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.โI donโt know where to start,โ I whispered, my voice shaking. โI love you, Andreas. Iโve loved you for so long now, even when I didnโt know how to admit it, even when I didnโt know how to let myself feel it.โHe was silent, his dark eyes fixed on me, watching me with a mixture of concern and understanding. He wasnโt interrupting, waiting patiently as I tried to find the right words. His presence was warm, comforting even, but it only made this harder.โI didnโt 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,โ I continued, the tears that had been threatening to spill finally falling freely. โYouโve shown me love, patience, and given me the strength to face so many things, things I didnโt even realize I needed to face. Youโ
The Wife Swapย ย ย Chapter 233: Saying goodbye
Ashleyโs POVThe day of Ashtonโs burial was a blur of emotions. Grief, yesโI had expected that. But there was also relief, anger, hope, and a strange sense of peace that I couldnโt quite place.The small ceremony was held in a quiet corner of the Thorne estate, under a canopy of trees that Ashton wouldโve loved. The turnout was larger than Iโd anticipated. It wasnโt 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 Ashtonโs 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 hadnโt expected them to come, nor did I want them there. Thomas was absent too, but Sansa had made an appearance. I couldnโt help but notice how much lighter she seemed, almost radian
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