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Chapter 82: Unspoken tension
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2024-09-24 20:21:52Related chapters
The 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 : 2024-09-25The Wife Swap Chapter 86: An Unexpected Encounter
Ashley’s POVDinner dragged on, Annabel’s cheerful chatter grating against the thick silence between Andreas and me. I barely tasted the food on my plate. Each glance from Andreas felt like a challenge, daring me to break the ice. But I wouldn’t. Not after what he said. He’d made it clear where he stood, and I had no intention of giving him the satisfaction of addressing it.Annabel’s voice broke through my swirling thoughts. “So, Ashton, what’s been keeping you busy lately? How’s the gallery?”I forced a smile, the weight of Andreas’s gaze pressing heavily into the side of my face. “Just the usual,” I said lightly, taking a sip of wine to keep my hands steady. “Work has been... demanding.”Andreas hummed quietly under his breath, just loud enough for me to catch it. I shot him a sharp glare, but Annabel was already launching into another story about her latest college adventures. I tuned her out, my mind too preoccupied with the tension between Andreas and me.Finally, after what fel
Last Updated : 2024-09-25The Wife Swap Chapter 87: A blast from the past
Ashley’s POVKennedy Walters.The name echoed in my mind like an old song I couldn’t quite place. Annabel looped her arm through mine as we walked back towards the campus, her voice chirping with excitement about some new project she was planning. I nodded along, trying to seem interested, but the conversation barely registered. My thoughts were elsewhere.Andreas walked beside Annabel, the two of them engaged in conversation. She hung on his every word, laughing at something he said, while Andreas offered his usual half-smiles. His attention seemed distant, and I knew where that distance came from. That coldness I could never seem to penetrate.I couldn’t stop thinking about Kennedy, about the way he’d looked at me outside the restaurant. The polite smile, the casual ease—like we were just old friends catching up. But there was something else behind it, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.There was something I was forgetting.It shouldn’t have mattered. He was just some kid
Last Updated : 2024-09-26The Wife Swap Chapter 88: Nothing Between Us
Ashley’s POVAnnabel pulled me close, her warm lips brushing my cheek in a gentle kiss. “We should hang out again soon,” she said, her voice light and affectionate as if nothing in the world could be wrong. “I love you, Ash.”Her words caught me off guard. Guilt twisted in my stomach, sharp and immediate. I managed a small smile, but it didn't reach my eyes. If only she knew the truth, if only she knew that I was not Ashton—that I was just playing a part in this lie. How would she feel then? Would she still look at me with the same kindness, the same unconditional love? I doubted it.“Love you too,” I murmured, the words feeling heavy in my mouth, and for a brief moment, I almost wished I could just let her in on everything, confess it all. But I couldn't. Not yet.Annabel waved and walked away, her laughter fading into the night as she disappeared down the street past her campus gate. And just like that, the tension that had momentarily lifted came crashing back between Andreas and
Last Updated : 2024-09-26The Wife Swap Chapter 89: Tangled emotions
Andreas’s POVThe morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office, casting long shadows across the polished wooden desk. I sat there, staring at my computer screen, yet my thoughts were a thousand miles away, tangled in last night's memories. I had buried myself in work, thinking it would help me forget the sting of Ashley’s words, but they echoed in my mind, refusing to fade.It was a mistake. I had said those words, and now I regretted them. Calling our kiss a mistake had seemed necessary at the time—a way to pull back the curtain on the tangled emotions I didn’t fully understand. But each moment since had only amplified my frustration and confusion. I missed the warmth of the hesitant smile that she usually gave whenever she saw me, the spark that ignited when our eyes met, and it gnawed at me, more than I realized that I cared to admit.I was unable to bring myself to admit that I was feeling more than physical attraction for the woman whose very presence in
Last Updated : 2024-09-26The Wife Swap Chapter 90: Under pressure
Andreas’s POVI felt my jaw clench involuntarily. “We’re on track,” I replied tersely, forcing the words through gritted teeth. I could feel Adam's eyes boring into me, waiting for a reaction, for some sign of weakness. But I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.“And how about preparations for the anniversary event?” Amarinth interjected, her voice sharp and filled with disdain. “With it already fast approaching, I would expect better from Ashton. Why hasn’t she begun preparations yet? Father practically insisted she be in charge this year.”My stomach sank, and I could feel the blood drain from my face. Amarinth’s words hung in the air like a noose tightening around my throat. I had been so focused on the mess with Ashton’s disappearance that I hadn’t considered how I would explain the situation to our father like I'd promised Ashley that I would. The gala was only days away, and I had no idea how to protect Ashley while also managing my family’s wrath if they found out about the swa
Last Updated : 2024-09-26
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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
