All Chapters of The Wife Swap: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Ashley’s POV My throat tightened, a sudden desert dryness invading my mouth. Was this it? The moment of truth? Had he finally seen through my different behavior, revealing the truth beneath that I wasn't Ashton? I glanced down at myself, the loose straps of the dress doing little to conceal the swell of my breasts. My face burned as I felt his gaze drop to my chest, lingering there for a heartbeat too long. The air between us thickened, heavy with tension. A sharp rap against the door jolted me from my immobility. My shoulders relaxed almost instantly as the tense moment ended, a gasp escaping my lips before I could stifle it. A moment later, Annabel's voice drifted through the door. "Ashton, are you ready? It's your favorite sister-in-law. We don't want to keep everyone waiting." Annabel. Of course. She was here to make sure "Ashton" wasn't late for the dinner. Nevertheless, I was grateful for her impeccable timing. "Coming!" I managed to squeak out, my voice higher pitched than

Ashley’s POVWhen I woke up, Andreas was gone. For a moment, I wondered if he'd retreated to the couch after I fell asleep, but the rumpled sheets beside me and the lingering warmth of his body told a different story. He had spent the night in the bed with me. A strange mix of relief and uncertainty washed over me. Relief that our shared night hadn't been as awkward as I'd imagined, and uncertainty about what this meant for his relationship with my sister who I was pretending to be, if anything. Perhaps it had been a meaningless act of comfort to him, or maybe, just maybe, there was something more to it. I headed to the bathroom, my mind racing. If this shared night could somehow mend whatever rift existed between Andreas and Ashton, it would be a small miracle and it meant that I'd not only survived swapping with her successfully for the weekend but that I'd helped her take a step forward in resolving whatever issues she had with her husband, because knowing Ashton, she was as stub

Ashley’s POVThe bell above the restaurant door jingled as I stepped inside. A wave of relief washed over me as I spotted Liv sitting at a corner table, her vibrant energy cutting through the atmosphere. Olivia ‘Liv’ and I had been inseparable since high school, her infectious laughter and boundless optimism a constant in my often quiet world. While Ashton had thrived in the spotlight and ended up mingling with crowds that didn't appreciate my introverted self., I'd found solace in the quiet corners, and Liv had been my steadfast companion through it all.Thankfully, Liv had also gotten into the same college as Ashton and me. It was a stroke of incredible luck. Though we hadn't been coursemates, sharing the same campus had cemented our bond. We spent countless hours together, studying, laughing, and sharing dreams. It was during those late-night study sessions that my love for writing blossomed into my decision to take the first step and put my thoughts on paper. Liv was always my bi

Ashley’s POVI blinked, disoriented, as my consciousness slowly returned. The familiar scent of hay and horse sweat filled my nostrils, and my eyes widened as I took in the surroundings around me. I was dreaming. It had to be a dream. I was back on my late aunt’s ranch, a place I hadn’t visited in years. And there, sitting alone on a bale of hay, was a younger version of myself, my eyes swollen and red from crying.A pang of sadness pierced my heart. I remembered that day so vividly. It had been weeks after our parents' funeral, and I was still unable to hold back the tears. I had cried at the dinner table, at school, and even in my sleep. Ashton, who didn't particularly like crying, had tried her best to comfort me, but I had been inconsolable. To escape the pitying glances and forced smiles in the house, I had found solace in coming to hide away in the barn whenever I wanted to cry. The quiet solitude, the gentle sway of the horses, and the comforting scent of hay had provided muc

Ashley's POVAs soon as the door closed, Liv turned to me, her expression one of disbelief. "What the fuck?" I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. My throat felt constricted as if someone had tied a knot in it. Liv stared at me, her expression a mixture of confusion and frustration. "Are you seriously still trying to keep up this charade? Just come clean to Ashton's husband about everything. Tell him the truth." I shook my head, my eyes filling with tears, "I tried, Liv. I did. But I don't know where to start." Liv sighed. "You can't keep lying to him, Ashley. It's not fair to him, because if Ashton was really on that flight, her husband deserves to know.” I knew Liv was right, hell, before she entered, I’d almost decided to damn the consequences and come clean about everything, but I had so many doubts. Too many. "What if I tell him the truth about the wife swap and it turns out that Ashton never even got on the flight? What if she’s alive and well?" Liv's eyes