Semua Bab The Wife Swap: Bab 171 - Bab 180

Ashley’s POVThe sun was just beginning to filter through the curtains when I stirred awake, the soft light casting a warm glow on the room. I felt the gentle rise and fall of Liv’s breathing beside me, her arm draped protectively over my waist. The comfort of her presence was a balm against the raw anxiety I’d been carrying, and I was grateful beyond words that she stayed with me, even as a part of me battled the nagging sense that I was becoming a burden.I carefully slid out of bed, trying not to wake her, but she shook anyway, her eyes fluttering open. “Morning,” she mumbled sleepily, giving me a small smile.“Morning,” I whispered back, offering a weak smile of my own.She propped herself up on one elbow, scanning my face with that perceptive gaze of hers. “Did you sleep at all?”I shrugged, avoiding her eyes. “A little. You?”She chuckled, though there’s a tiredness in her laugh. “Enough to get by. But you look like you need a few more hours.”I opened my mouth to protest, but s

Ashley’s POVAnnabelle practically yanked me into her room, a wide smile on her face as she dragged me toward the bed. It was covered in a rainbow of dresses, all laid out in neat rows like she was about to put on a fashion show. I tried to match her energy, but my mind was elsewhere. The image of that letter in Ashton’s handwriting kept flashing before my eyes. Each time I replayed those words, I felt like I was sinking deeper into quicksand.Annabelle held up a pale pink dress, turning it this way and that in front of her. “I’m thinking this one could be cute for the birthday party tomorrow,” she said, glancing at me for my opinion. “It’s soft but classy, you know?”I nodded, forcing myself to smile. “It’s lovely. Very...elegant.” The words felt mechanical, like they were coming from someone else. I watched as she held it against her body, examining herself in the mirror. It was like I was seeing her through a fog.She noticed my distant expression and frowned slightly. “You don’t t

Ashley’s POVThe steam from the bath swirled around us, a hazy veil that made me feel like we were in our own bubble, hidden from the world outside. Andreas’s touch was gentle as he helped me out of my dress, his fingers lingering on my skin. A shiver ran down my spine, a mix of anticipation and nervousness.As he helped me into the tub, I couldn’t help but steal a glance at him. He was watching me, his eyes dark and intense. A spark ignited between us, and it felt so good to see his admiration, to feel his desire permeate the space around us. I shyly gestured for him to join me, my heart pounding in my chest.He hesitated, his eyes widening with surprise. Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, he began to undress. As he shed his clothes, the tension between us grew palpable. Every muscle, every curve of his body was on display, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away.When he finally stepped into the tub, the water rippled around him, highlighting the contours of his body. I felt a surge o

Ashley's POVAs we pulled up to the hotel hall, a wave of relief washed over me. Thankfully, the birthday was not at the imposing Thorne mansion. The mansion always felt like a battleground to me—an unfamiliar, unforgiving space where I couldn’t find my place. There, I was constantly on edge, feeling like I was surrounded by too many expectations, too many watchful eyes. But here, in the neutral, well-lit hall, everything seemed different. The polished floors, the tasteful decor, the soft hum of conversation—it all felt less like a place I had to fight to fit into and more like one where I could just…exist for a moment as myself, and not an impostor, though I knew it wouldn’t last long once I had to mingle and pretend that I was my jovial outgoing sister.I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to smile as I stood beside Annabelle. She clung to my side like I was the only thing holding her together in this sea of unfamiliar faces. It was strange, how comforting it was to have her close, desp

Ashley’s POVKennedy’s eyes met mine as soon as Andreas and Sydney walked away, a small, almost apologetic smile tugging at his lips. “You look beautiful tonight, Ashton,” he said, his voice low and sincere, the words laced with something deeper. “I guess that trip to Vermont did you some good.”I managed a smile, though it felt tight on my face. The compliment felt strange coming from him, especially now, with Andreas disappearing into the crowd with another woman. I could sense the tension between us, and I wondered how he’d been invited to this. The last thing I needed was one more person around to make my guard go up even higher as I pretended to be Ashton.“Thank you,” I replied, my tone measured. “It was a nice change of scenery. I needed the time away.”Kennedy’s eyes softened, and for a moment, it seemed like he was trying to gauge my mood. “I’m glad to see you back,” he said, offering a genuine smile. “You look... lighter, in a way. Like a weight’s been lifted.”I bit my lip,