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Chapter 85: To family
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The 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
The 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
The 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
The 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
The 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
The Wife Swap Chapter 91: Unraveling truths
Ashley’s POV“Wow,” was the first thing Liv said as she walked through the front door into the mansion. The word dripped with awe, and I understood her reaction completely. Every day in this house felt like stepping into a fairy tale and a nightmare simultaneously.“Right?” I responded, forcing a smile as I closed the door behind us. “It’s a lot to take in.”Liv’s eyes roamed the grand foyer, taking in the marble floors, the elaborate chandeliers, and the sweeping staircase that led up to the second floor. “This is incredible. Rich people know how to do things, don't they?”I nodded, but the excitement felt hollow. “Yeah, it’s...it’s something.” I paused, glancing toward the living room, then changed my mind. “Let’s go outside. We can sit in the garden.”Liv smiled, her enthusiasm contagious, and I felt a flicker of warmth. I led her through the house, past the living room where I’d had so many awkward moments with Andreas, and stepped outside into the expansive garden.The fragrant b
The Wife Swap Chapter 92: Grief is messy
Ashley’s POVLiv stared at me, her mouth slightly agape. When she didn't say anything, I continued, “I know, it's a surprise to me too! I didn’t expect it either,” I confessed, my voice laced with anxiety. “I keep thinking it’s wrong, especially with everything that’s happened. But it’s there, and it’s complicated. I shouldn’t be feeling this way at all.”Liv took a moment to process this revelation, her expression shifting from surprise to concern. “I mean, I suspected something was off between you two. You’ve been...different, but I didn’t want to jump to conclusions. But now? It makes sense.”“Does it?” I asked, my heart sinking. “Because it feels like a betrayal to Ashton. I should be grieving her, not developing feelings for her husband, no matter if they weren't really together or anything.” I looked around, my voice dropping to a whisper.Liv leaned closer, her voice softening. “Hey, you’re allowed to feel conflicted. Just because Ashton’s gone doesn’t mean you have to shut d
The Wife Swap Chapter 93: A game of chess
Ashley’s POV“Yes, he seemed quite eager to talk,” Sandra continued, her voice steady and reassuring. “Since he couldn’t get through, I explained to him that you’d lost your phone and had to change your number. I gave him your new number so he could reach out to you directly. I hope that’s all right?”I hesitated for a moment, feeling a mix of gratitude and concern. “Um, yeah, that’s fine. I appreciate you handling that for me, but what did he want?”Sandra paused, as if contemplating her response. “He didn’t go into specifics while he was here, but he did seem curious about some of the upcoming exhibitions we’re planning. I thought it might be related to his interests in the gallery. But honestly, he had this urgency about him, like he was looking for more than just a casual chat.”“Urgency?” I echoed, feeling my heart race a little. “What do you mean?”“Oh, just the way he was asking about you and looking around the gallery. It felt a bit more personal than professional, if you know
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