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Chapter 90: Under pressure
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2024-09-26 21:27:41Related chapters
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
Last Updated : 2024-09-27The 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
Last Updated : 2024-09-27The 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
Last Updated : 2024-09-27The Wife Swap Chapter 94: Unwanted confessions
Ashley’s POVThe air in the house had grown tense over the past few days, thick with unspoken words and lingering tension. I found myself avoiding Andreas at every opportunity, slipping into different rooms, burying myself in tasks, or simply finding excuses to stay out of sight. It felt easier that way, safer. After all, it was for the best, wasn’t it? Keeping my distance meant fewer chances for awkward encounters, fewer chances to get tangled up in whatever this mess between us had become.Last night, I’d been curled up in the living room, pretending to read, when Andreas walked in. I could feel him before I saw him, the air between us crackling with tension. He cleared his throat awkwardly, and I reluctantly looked up.“The gala’s tomorrow,” he said, his voice flat, though his eyes seemed to study my reaction. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”I hesitated, searching for the right words. A part of me wanted to stay hidden, to avoid the public eye and any further entanglem
Last Updated : 2024-09-28The Wife Swap Chapter 95: Sister or stranger
Ashley’s POVI felt the weight of Thomas’s revelation settle heavily on my chest, the implications of Ashton’s activities suffocating me. My breaths quickened, and I glanced into my water glass, searching for answers in the rippling surface. How long had they been seeing each other? Out of all people, Ashton had chosen to be involved with her brother-in-law? I remembered how Thomas had looked at me every time we were in the same room and how I had always hoped I was mistaken—that I was being paranoid. How many more messes would I have to clean up before this charade was over?“Look, I just think it’s important for us to be honest with each other,” Thomas said, his matter-of-fact tone pulling me out of my thoughts. “I don’t want to end things between us before they’ve really begun.”I blinked at him, my thoughts racing at how he looked so relaxed by this. “You don’t feel sorry for Amarinth?” I blurted out, disbelief and frustration bubbling inside me. “We are both married!”A shadow cr
Last Updated : 2024-09-29The Wife Swap Chapter 96: Divided by secrets
Ashley’s POVAs the car pulled away from the restaurant, I leaned my head back against the seat, closing my eyes for a moment to collect myself. The weight of the day pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe. Thomas’s words, the confessions, the insinuations—it all stirred together, leaving me feeling utterly out of control.And then there was Ashton. My sister. My other half, or at least she used to be. I couldn’t wrap my head around it—her affair with Thomas, the secrets she had kept. How much more was I going to discover about her life? How had we become so distant that she’d hidden something this monumental from me?Growing up, Ashton had always been the daring one, the one who spoke her mind and pushed boundaries. I remembered us as kids, playing by the old oak tree in our backyard. Ashton had always been the leader, coming up with wild adventures and pulling me into her schemes. Even when I hesitated, worried about getting caught or breaking a rule, she’d flash that mischie
Last Updated : 2024-09-30The Wife Swap Chapter 97: The dress fitting
Ashley’s POVAs we stared at each other, the tension between Andreas and me grew heavier with each breath, suffocating—the kind of weight that wrapped around my chest and made it hard to breathe. I could feel him watching me out of the corner of my eye, and it sent a prickle of discomfort and anticipation across my skin.He finally broke the silence. “How did your appointment go?” His voice was casual, but an edge crept in, as if he was trying too hard to keep it neutral.I glanced at him, searching for any sign that he might know—any hint about Ashton’s affair with Thomas. But as usual, Andreas was unreadable. His expression was controlled, his gaze steady as he waited for my answer.Part of me wanted to ask outright. Did you know your wife was having an affair? But I swallowed the words back. Even if he knew, what would it change? Their marriage was nothing more than a contract—bound by obligation, not affection.As I opened my mouth to bring up the affair—about Ashton’s choices and
Last Updated : 2024-09-30The Wife Swap Chapter 98: A delicate dance
Ashley’s POVMy stomach twisted at his offer. It felt like a strange blend of necessity and forced interaction, the two of us trapped in this uncomfortable dynamic. “Are you sure you want to?” I asked cautiously, a part of me dreading the thought of being so close to him while we were still caught in this tension.“Why not?” he replied, his gaze unwavering as it met mine. The intensity in his eyes sent a shiver down my spine. “Let’s just get this over with.”I nodded, feeling the weight of his words settle between us, thickening the air. There was a strange formality to our interaction, a reminder that while we were physically present with each other, we were still worlds apart emotionally.As Andreas moved closer to assist with the dress, the heat radiating from him was a stark contrast to the coldness that had enveloped us for so long. His fingers brushed against the fabric as he adjusted the straps, and I had to fight the urge to lean away. This was supposed to be a simple task, ye
Last Updated : 2024-09-30
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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
