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Chapter 77: Fractured control
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2024-09-22 16:43:12Related chapters
The Wife Swap Chapter 78: Unspoken Obligations
Ashley’s POVSteam swirled around me as the hot water cascaded over my skin. I closed my eyes, letting the heat soak into my muscles, hoping it would wash away the confusion I couldn’t seem to shake. I pressed my palms against the cool tile of the shower, breathing deeply as my thoughts kept circling back to one thing.Him.I could still feel the echo of Andreas’s lips on mine, the way his touch had made my pulse race in ways I hadn’t expected. No matter how much I tried to rationalize it, the moment had felt… real. Too real. And now, all I could think about was how dangerous it was for me to let those feelings surface.He wasn’t mine. I wasn’t his. And there were too many lies between us for this to ever work. I shouldn’t have kissed him. Worse, I shouldn’t have wanted more.I tried to force the memory away, my fingers trailing absently down my body, the touch too reminiscent of the heat from before. I inhaled sharply, feeling my breath catch as my fingers grazed the sensitive skin o
Last Updated : 2024-09-22The Wife Swap Chapter 79: Solitude in Shadows
Ashley’s POVI had spent the rest of the day hiding out in Ashton’s bedroom, the walls echoing with memories that felt both comforting and suffocating. The soft hum of the house blended with the distant sounds of life below, reminding me that the world continued to turn outside this bedroom. Each time I considered going down for a meal, the knot in my stomach tightened, forcing me back into bed.For once, I was thankful for the kind of home my sister had married into. If I didn’t venture downstairs, food would be brought to me. A small comfort, reinforcing my plan to avoid Andreas. Every moment with him felt like dancing on the edge of a cliff, and I was terrified of the fall—terrified of what it would mean to surrender to the feelings I wasn’t ready to face.Curled up on Ashton’s bed, I inhaled the faint scent of her perfume lingering in the air—sweet, floral, and achingly familiar. It should have soothed me, but instead, it filled the room with a heavy sense of loss. I traced the so
Last Updated : 2024-09-23The Wife Swap Chapter 80: The Unexpected Call
Ashley’s POVI had barely set down my phone down when it buzzed in my hand again. For a brief second, I thought it might be Liv calling, maybe to check in on me. But the name on the screen wasn’t hers.Annabel.I hesitated before answering. Andreas’ sister had been nothing but kind to me since I took on Ashton’s life, and the guilt of deceiving her weighed heavy on me every time we spoke. She was under the impression I was Ashton, her sister-in-law, and I hated lying to her the most. But what choice did I have? I dreaded the look of disappointment she would have when she found out the truth in a couple of days.Taking a deep breath, I answered. “Hey, Annabel.”“Ashton!” Her voice was frantic, almost breathless, immediately putting me on edge. “I—sorry to bother you, but I—” She cut herself off, clearly struggling with whatever it was she needed to say.“Annabel, it’s okay. What’s going on?” I asked gently, already sensing the panic bubbling under her words.“I—I have my play tonight,”
Last Updated : 2024-09-23The Wife Swap Chapter 81: That door
Ashley’s POVFinally forcing myself out of the room, I made my way down the hall toward Andreas’s suite. Every step felt heavier than the last, as though some invisible force was trying to drag me back. I wasn’t sure what I would say to him after agreeing to Annabel’s plea. The thought of confronting him about something as personal as his sister’s play filled me with unease. Yet, the larger part of me dreaded the weight of the kiss, the confusing tangle of emotions we hadn’t yet addressed.When I reached his room, I found it empty, which was both a relief and a disappointment. The air felt different in here, still carrying the faint musk of his cologne, and my gaze shifted around the space, seeking... I wasn’t sure what. Maybe clues to who he really was beneath the guarded exterior.That’s when my eyes landed on the door. That door. The one that had been locked the first time I’d snuck into his room. Curiosity bubbled up, as it had the moment I’d first seen it. What could he be hiding
Last Updated : 2024-09-23The Wife Swap Chapter 82: Unspoken tension
Ashley’s POVI finally took in all of Andreas: his sweaty body, the way his abs gleamed under the soft light, the gloved hands stained with paint, and the fine-lined scar in the middle of his chest—a reminder of something painful, something intimate that I had no clue about. My gaze drifted up to his eyes, those piercing grey orbs that held a mixture of surprise and something deeper, something I couldn’t quite place.I swallowed nervously, the weight of my intrusion crashing down on me. “I—I’m sorry for intruding,” I stammered, desperate to regain some composure. “Can we talk outside?”For a moment, Andreas didn’t move. His eyes searched mine, lingering longer than usual, as if he was deciding something. His jaw tightened slightly, and his lips parted like he wanted to say more than just the words he finally settled on.“Outside.” He nodded, his voice low and unreadable.Before he could respond further, I stepped past him, moving into the coolness of the main bedroom. Despite the refr
Last Updated : 2024-09-24The Wife Swap Chapter 83: The Distance between us
Ashley’s POVThe drive to Annabel’s college was suffocating. Silence stretched between us, thick and uncomfortable. I stole a few glances at Andreas, but his eyes remained focused on the road, his jaw clenched in that stubborn way he had when he was shutting himself off. There was so much I wanted to say, but the weight of everything kept me silent.My thoughts kept drifting back to the painting, the way he looked at me, and that kiss. It had changed something between us, something that neither of us was willing to acknowledge out loud. I fiddled with my fingers, trying to think of something to say, but the words got stuck in my throat, caught up in all the confusion swirling inside me.Without warning, Andreas pulled the car over in front of a small flower shop, breaking the silence.“We should get Annabel something,” he said, his voice even, eyes still looking anywhere but at me.I nodded, grateful for the distraction. We stepped inside, the scent of roses and lilies filling the air
Last Updated : 2024-09-24The Wife Swap Chapter 84: The Breaking Point
Ashley’s POVThroughout the performance, I could feel Andreas’s tension radiating off him in waves. His arms were crossed, his jaw clenched tight, as if even being here was an effort. Annabel was brilliant on stage, pouring her heart into her role, but all I could focus on was the growing chasm between Andreas and me.At one point, Annabel delivered a line about love—about how it could heal or destroy, depending on how it was wielded. The words echoed through the theater, striking a chord in my chest. I stole a glance at Andreas, wondering if he felt the same. But his face was impassive, his eyes focused straight ahead, showing no hint of emotion.By the time the play ended, my heart felt heavy. We stood with the crowd, clapping for Annabel, but Andreas’s applause felt mechanical, distant. I couldn’t take it anymore. The weight of everything—his coldness, the confusion over what had happened between us—was suffocating me.As we left the theater, I finally snapped. “Are we just going t
Last Updated : 2024-09-25The Wife Swap Chapter 85: To family
Ashley’s POVThe restaurant was cozy, a perfect blend of warmth and understated elegance. It was very on brand with Annabel’s bubbly personality. Pretty lighting, soft chatter, and the clinking of glasses filled the air as we walked in behind her, the hostess leading us to a table tucked away in the corner.I felt the weight of Andreas's presence beside me, but he hadn't said a word since we'd left the theater. His silence was louder than any words could have been, though. Every step we took felt like the distance between us grew, especially now that we were sitting mere inches apart once again, Annabel sitting across from us.Annabel, as usual, seemed blissfully unaware of the tension. She chattered away about the play, thanking us repeatedly for coming and supporting her. I nodded along, half-heartedly, but my mind was elsewhere, replaying Andreas's words in my head on an endless loop. It was a mistake. The sting of it hadn't dulled, and I wasn’t sure if it ever would.I glanced at
Last Updated : 2024-09-25
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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
