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Chapter 60: Loose footing
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The Wife Swap Chapter 61: The unspoken weight
Ashley’s POVI don’t remember falling asleep, but when I woke up, the sheets were twisted around me like a cage. For a split second, I expected Ashton to be there, sitting at the foot of the bed like she used to when we were kids and she wanted me up to participate in activities with her. But today, there was nothing—just silence. My heart sank, hollowness spreading through me. I had thought maybe she’d come to me again, like some sign that she was still out there, still fighting. But no dream, no Ashton. Just emptiness.The morning light filtered in through the curtains, but it didn’t feel like morning. It felt like I was stuck in some eternal twilight, where time had no meaning. My phone buzzed on the nightstand. Liv’s name lit up the screen.I had forgotten I’d texted her last night, after leaving for the airport. She must be worried. The ringing continued, a shrill reminder of how I wasn’t ready for the conversation that was waiting on the other end. Liv would ask questions, questi
The Wife Swap Chapter 62: Unfinished business
Ashley’s POVThe hallway seemed to stretch on endlessly as I made my way toward the gym, my legs moving almost of their own accord. Part of me dreaded this—talking to Andreas. What were we supposed to say to each other after everything that had happened? But another part of me knew we couldn’t keep avoiding it. We had to talk about what came next, how we would face his family, how I could end this charade.When I finally reached the gym, the sound of rhythmic breathing and soft grunts hit my ears. I paused at the entrance, my fingers resting lightly on the doorframe. Through the open door, I could see Andreas.He was naked from the waist up, muscles tense as he held himself in an exercise position—probably a plank. Sweat glistened on his skin, the light from the large windows casting a golden sheen over his toned back and arms. For a moment, I just stood there, frozen.I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be staring. But I couldn’t seem to tear my eyes away. The way his body moved—controll
The Wife Swap Chapter 63: About us
Ashley’s POVI veered around to make my way out of the gym, my chest tight and my mind a chaotic mess. I didn’t know what just happened—what that moment with Andreas even meant—but the tension was suffocating. My hand was on the doorframe, ready to make a quick exit, when I felt it. A hand—Andreas’ hand—firmly gripping my arm.I gasped, the sound soft and almost startled as goosebumps shot up my arm. My body betrayed me, reacting to the warmth of his touch, and I froze in place, my heart pounding like it was trying to break free from my chest.Andreas didn’t say anything; he just held on to me, his grip steady, his eyes locked on mine. I realized he was still on the call, but that didn’t stop him. He shook his head slightly, a wordless signal telling me not to go.I swallowed hard, trying to process what was happening. My eyes flickered down to where his hand still held me, and the heat of his touch felt like it was searing through my skin. When I gave a small nod, he finally released
The Wife Swap Chapter 64: The discussion
Ashley’s POVAndreas glanced at his watch. “Give me a few minutes to get dressed. Meet me in the foyer in twenty?”I nodded, though the idea of waiting felt like an eternity. “Sure. I’ll see you then.”As I turned to leave the gym, I could still feel the weight of the conversation pressing down on me. I needed this break, this brief escape from the tension of the house and the unresolved feelings that were threatening to overwhelm me. I walked quickly down the hall, my steps echoing in the empty corridor.My mind was a storm of thoughts as I made my way to my room. I needed to prepare for the meeting with Liv. The thought of discussing the situation with her, someone who knew me well, was both a comfort and a daunting task. I had so much to unpack, so many emotions to navigate. But for now, I had to focus on getting through breakfast with Andreas, even if it was going to be difficult.When I finally reached my room, I took a deep breath, trying to calm the flutter of anxiety in my che
The Wife Swap Chapter 65: Unspoken tension
Ashley’s POVSitting across from Andreas in the crowded café, I had thought the chatter of strangers and the clinking of cups would diffuse some of the awkwardness that had lingered between us after the gym. But there we were, in a public space, and the tension hadn’t dissipated. If anything, it felt more pronounced, like an invisible cord stretched taut between us.I reached for the menu at the same time as Andreas, our hands brushing, and I jerked mine back as though his touch had burned me. A nervous chuckle escaped before I could stop it. "You can, um, order for us if you want," I said, trying to sound casual, but my voice came out thin, almost breathless. I quickly glanced around, hoping the room's noise would swallow up the weird energy buzzing between us.He didn’t meet my eyes, just nodded stiffly. "Sure," he murmured, barely looking at the menu as he gestured for the waiter.I bit my lip, feeling my cheeks flush for reasons I couldn’t explain. Maybe I was imagining this. Mayb
The Wife Swap Chapter 66: Crossing Lines
Ashley’s POV"I know you want to believe she’s still out there," I added softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "And it's quite commendable of you to be this supportive and willing to help solve this matter even though you and her aren't really married but if there’s anything I know about Ashton, it’s that she never would have left me hanging this long."Andreas inhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. "I get that," he said after a long pause. "But what we have now is a just a high probability, not certainty and I don't now if I can work with that."I closed my eyes for a second, feeling the weight of his words. I understood that feeling. I understood the unwillingness to accept what was staring us both in the face. But holding on to hope was dangerous. It kept you in limbo, kept you from moving forward, even when the world was pushing you to.When I opened my eyes again, Andreas was watching me, his gaze softer than before. "I didn’t apologize because I feel like I have to," he said, h
The Wife Swap Chapter 67: Balancing the lies
Ashley’s POV“I can’t do this anymore,” I said, my voice barely a whisper, but the weight of it echoed in the room. “I can’t keep pretending to be Ashton.”Andreas turned his head toward me, his brow furrowing in response, but he didn’t say anything. The silence between us felt charged, as if both of us were waiting for the other to make the next move.I swallowed hard, trying to find the words. “You don’t have to be the one to deal with the fallout, Andreas. I’ll tell your family. I’ll tell them everything—about the swap, about Ashton disappearing. They don’t have to know that you found out eventually and tried to cover it up. I’ll take all the blame. That way, you can—”“No.” Andreas cut me off, his voice quiet but firm. He shook his head, his eyes narrowing as if he was trying to work through the situation in his mind. “Even if you do that, it won’t matter.”I blinked at him, confused. “What do you mean? It’ll be easier for you if they think I was the one who orchestrated all of th
The Wife Swap Chapter 68: Unexpected encounters
Ashley’s POVI stared at Andreas, my mind spinning. The idea of continuing this charade—keeping up the pretense that I was Ashton—felt unbearable. Every instinct screamed that my sister was gone, and yet here I was, being asked to act like nothing had changed. Was this really the right thing to do?Andreas must have noticed the hesitation in my eyes because his expression softened, his gaze locked on mine. “Give me three days,” he said, his voice measured but urgent. “That’s all I’m asking. Three days.”“Three days?” I echoed, my voice barely above a whisper, still processing the request.“There’s a charity gala in three days,” he continued, studying my face for a reaction. “You don’t even have to go with me if you don’t want to. I can handle it alone. After the gala, I’ll speak to my father. I’ll tell him everything. He’s the only one whose opinion really matters in all of this.”I blinked, taken aback. “Your father?”Andreas nodded, his lips pressing into a thin line. “He’s the only
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