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Chapter 98: A delicate dance
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2024-09-30 18:48:51Related chapters
The Wife Swap Chapter 99: A truce
Ashley’s POVThe drive from the boutique to the restaurant was mercifully short, a blessing that spared us any further awkwardness. I focused on the city passing by, trying to ignore the tension radiating from the seat beside me.As we pulled into the restaurant's parking lot, Andreas turned off the engine and reached for a jacket hanging on the back seat. “Here,” he said, sliding it on over my shoulders. “It might get chilly on the rooftop.”I blinked in surprise, instinctively wrapping the fabric tighter around myself. “Thanks,” I mumbled, surprised by how comforting the gesture felt, despite the unresolved strain between us.We stepped out of the car, and I followed him to the entrance, my heart racing as I took in the atmosphere. As we walked through the dimly lit lobby, I could feel a faint chill in the air, a reminder that autumn was creeping in.When we reached the rooftop, the view of the city was breathtaking. The skyline sparkled against the twilight, and I couldn’t help but
Last Updated : 2024-09-30The Wife Swap Chapter 100: A step closer
Ashley’s POVAs we finished our meal, a comfortable silence settled around us, and I found myself grateful for this moment—one where we weren’t arguing or avoiding each other. But deep down, the reality loomed like a shadow. I had feelings for him that wouldn’t just vanish with a friendly dinner and a few kind words.The waiter cleared our plates, and I glanced at Andreas again, trying to memorize the contours of his face—the way his smile tugged at the corners of his lips, the warmth radiating from him. I wanted to savor this moment for as long as I could, knowing that the night would eventually come to an end and that if all things worked out, I would probably never have the opportunity to sit in front of him like this again.The drive back to the house felt like a blur. City lights streamed by outside the window, but my thoughts consumed me. I replayed our conversations, searching for meaning in every word he had said.When we arrived, I stepped out of the car, my heart racing slig
Last Updated : 2024-09-30The Wife Swap Chapter 101:Goodnight
As we stepped out of the studio and back into the bedroom, I stole a glance at Andreas, my heart still racing from both our conversation and the portrait he’d painted of me.Why had he confided in me tonight? Not that I minded—if anything, I hated that knowing more about him now only made it harder to convince myself that moving on was the right thing to do. And then there was the painting. What had gone through his mind when he created that? His gestures told me one thing, while his words had been painfully clear.The silence between us felt different now, layered with a meaning I wasn’t sure how to navigate.“Um, is everything set for tomorrow?” I asked, breaking the quiet as we entered the living room. I tried to sound casual, but even I could hear the strain in my voice.Andreas shrugged, his tone light. “I hope so. I know I’ve said this already, but thank you for agreeing to come tomorrow, even if it means pretending for one more night.”“One more night.” The words tasted bitter
Last Updated : 2024-09-30The Wife Swap Chapter 102: Friends?
Andreas’s POVI blinked, shocked at myself as Ashley and I stepped out of the studio and back into my bedroom. I hadn’t planned on mentioning my mother tonight, or ever. The truth was, growing up, her name was hardly ever spoken. It was as though she had never existed, my father’s way of trying to take for cheating on his first wife and forcing her to accept his son out of wedlock. I had been the only proof she ever lived, and even that felt like a burden. Being alive felt like a burden. Yet here he was, telling Ashley what I regarded as my biggest shame.I’d thought it would be hard to speak of her after all these years, but it wasn’t—not with Ashley. It was as if saying the words released a weight I hadn’t realized that I'd been carrying. I was relieved, unexpectedly so, and I understood why. It was because it was Ashley. Somehow, telling her felt right.“Is everything set for tomorrow?” Ashley asked, breaking the silence.Her question pulled me from my thoughts, but I could still f
Last Updated : 2024-09-30The Wife Swap Chapter 103: Tomorrow
Andreas’s POVThe truth was, I didn’t know how much I’d be able to tell my father. This whole situation had spiraled so far beyond what I’d ever anticipated. I was prepared to face the consequences, but I wasn’t ready to drag Ashley into it any deeper than she already was. She’d done enough. More than enough.The silence stretched between us again, heavy and uncomfortable. I could feel her eyes on me, studying me, but I didn’t look up. I wasn’t sure I could handle what I might see in her eyes right now.Then she spoke again, her voice soft, almost tentative. “You know, my childhood wasn’t perfect either. I’ve always felt like I was living in someone else’s shadow.”I glanced at her, surprised by the vulnerability in her tone. She didn’t talk about her past much, not like this. For a moment, I forgot about the weight pressing down on my chest, forgot about everything else except the raw honesty in her words.“What do you mean?” I asked, my curiosity piqued despite myself.“Ashton and I
Last Updated : 2024-09-30The Wife Swap Chapter 104: Another layer
Ashley’s POVI had spent most of the night tossing and turning on the bed, the sheets twisted around me like the chaos swirling in my mind. I should be excited that after the gala, I would finally leave this world my sister had dragged me into, a world she had abandoned me in, stolen by an unfortunate accident. But instead, I felt hollow, like a shell of the person I once was. The thought of the gala loomed over me like a dark cloud, not just because of the pretenses I had to uphold but because of what it truly represented—the finality of it all.Once the charade was over, it would be like a stamp sealing the truth: Ashton was dead. No more pretending to be someone I wasn’t, and that also meant no Andreas. With no feedback yet from the airport regarding the possibility of remains found, I was left hanging, wondering if I might have to bury her without even a body to mourn over.Would the Thornes care about any of that? Would they even mourn my sister? I felt a knot tightening in my st
Last Updated : 2024-09-30The Wife Swap Chapter 105: The final act
Ashley’s POVThe rest of the salon visit went by in a blur. Faye’s words about Ashton’s mysterious fear kept replaying in my mind, like a warning bell I couldn’t silence. The more I thought about it, the more I wondered if I should have been paying closer attention to any clues, the fragments of Ashton’s life that I had been so quick to dismiss. The problem was that I didn’t even know enough to have anything to work with. Who was it that Ashton was so afraid of? Could it be Thomas? Or was there someone else lurking in the shadows? Could that be why she was going on that trip? When we finished up, Faye and I parted ways, but not before she gave me one more reassuring smile, as if to tell me everything would be alright. I tried to mirror her optimism, but it felt like a mask that didn’t quite fit.Adam was waiting outside the salon, his face as impassive as ever, but something about the way his eyes lingered on me for a moment too long made me wonder if he could sense my unease.I cli
Last Updated : 2024-10-01The Wife Swap Chapter 106: Heightened emotions
Ashley’s POVThe arrival of the make-up artist had been a welcome distraction, giving me a brief break from the different thoughts spinning around in my mind since Faye’s unsettling revelation. My interaction with her had left me reeling—who was this person Ashton had feared so much? The truth felt like a heavy stone lodged in my chest, one I couldn’t shake loose, no matter how hard I tried. But now, with the lady here to help me prepare for the gala, I allowed myself to focus on something else, even if just for a few minutes.As I stepped out of the bathroom, my hair damp from the shower and a plush white robe wrapped around me and sat in front of the mirror, I heard a soft knock at the door. My heart skipped a beat—was this the final interruption before the evening truly began? The makeup artist, a cheerful woman with warm eyes and an air of professionalism, quickly set down her brushes.“I’ll get it,” she said, her voice light and eager to help. “You just relax.”There was something
Last Updated : 2024-10-02
Latest chapter
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
