Home / Swapped Out by My Own Stand-in / Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

All Chapters of Swapped Out by My Own Stand-in: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

Gabriel's POV"Gabriel, I don't have all day."Joanna Stiles shot me an irritated look, clearly annoyed that I wasn't paying attention. Yet, she hadn't taken her eyes off Ashton Barker the entire time.Dad had hired Ashton as my body double when we were children. He'd stayed by my side ever since, following me around like a shadow so he could help me escape if I ever found myself in danger.Suddenly, I couldn't see the point of any of this anymore. "Then, why don't you just let Ashton do it?"I removed the hydrangea boutonniere from my lapel and turned to leave, but Joanna called me back."Gabriel, take off your suit. I want Ashton to wear it."I stared at her cold expression in disbelief. There were nearly a hundred people here, and she actually expected me to strip in front of everyone."Right now?""Yes."Joanna threw a blank check in my face, making no effort to hide her contempt. "Name your price."Whatever I'd still been holding on to finally died at that moment.Wh

Chapter 2

Gabriel's POVI turned around and saw Joanna slipping the wedding ring she'd originally chosen for me onto Ashton's finger."Don't worry. Gabriel's never worn it."I couldn't remember exactly when things had started changing, but at some point, Joanna had begun buying Ashton an identical version of everything she gave me.I'd argued with her and cried over it, unable to understand why my fiancée insisted on treating my body double the same as me.But after being ignored time and again, I'd gradually stopped fighting for her attention.Now, I realized she'd even ordered two identical wedding rings.I looked down, slipped the ring off my finger, and casually tossed it into the trash.I had no interest in something she could just as easily give to another man.From behind the locked dressing room door came the faint sounds of women cheering and gushing over how handsome Ashton looked.Even the styling team Joanna had personally traveled to Pember to book for me was now attending

Chapter 3

Gabriel's POV"Alright."I stepped over the umbrella lying on the ground and walked away.Although my injuries were nothing more than a few scratches, the doctor insisted on keeping me in the hospital for several days of observation.The patient who'd been occupying my assigned bed was still packing up to leave, so I had no choice but to wait outside.After everything that had happened that day, I was so exhausted that I fell asleep in my chair.When I woke up, I found Joanna looking at me with concern. For a moment, I almost believed things had gone back to the way they used to be.When we were children, she would often hold a finger beneath my nose to check whether I was still breathing, terrified that something might happen to me in my sleep.But the moment I noticed the bandages on my hand, all I could think about was the way she'd deliberately hurt me with the bouquet.The hurt and resentment that surged through me were so overwhelming that I started retching.Joanna's e

Chapter 4

Gabriel's POVI shook my head frantically. "Those calls were from Serena—"Joanna cut me off with a sneer. "Seriously, Gabriel? You're going to lie about that? Everyone in Yewton knows you two have hated each other since you were kids."My heart sank. She wouldn't even let me explain.Instead, Joanna insisted on trading me for Ashton, regardless of what I wanted. She pointed at me and told Tristan, "You've got the wrong man. He's Ashton."Tears streamed down my cheeks before I could stop them.For the first time in our lives, Joanna had told me she needed me, only because she wanted me to save another man.Afraid Tristan wouldn't believe her, she continued, "My husband, Gabriel Fuller, is supposed to attend a Piano Association exchange program in Pember today. He even has the invitation with him. Please, just give me back my husband!"Her voice trembled as she pleaded with him. Joanna had always been too proud to beg anyone for anything, yet here she was, desperately trying t

Chapter 5

Gabriel's POVFreezing water closed over my head, and my life flashed before my eyes. Every memory was of Joanna promising that she'd always keep me safe.So much for that promise. At this rate, there wouldn't even be a body left to bring home.…Third-person's POVJoanna rushed Ashton to the hospital and ordered the doctors to examine him thoroughly.They immediately assured her, "Of course. We'll do everything we can to save your husband."Joanna almost corrected them when she heard the word "husband." As far as she was concerned, Gabriel was the only man who would ever hold that title.She pulled out her phone to call the rescue team, but before she could dial, Ashton woke up and began complaining weakly about the pain."Joanna, am I going to die? Is this cut on my neck going to leave an ugly scar?"Ashton had always been stubborn and aloof, so seeing him depend on her for everything now was immensely satisfying.She immediately put her phone away and clasped his hand t

Chapter 6

Third-person's POVHe was wearing Gabriel's wedding suit.What was Ashton doing here?Joanna went cold with shock. The wedding was the last thing she cared about now. She needed to find Gabriel and make sure he was still alive.Ashton took her hand, his eyes shining with excitement. "Joanna, I can't believe we're finally getting married!"But she immediately yanked her hand away."When did I ever say I'd marry you? Where's Gabe? Are you two messing with me? Is he going to show up in a minute?"Ashton shook his head. "Gabriel told me himself that he wanted us to be together."He was so excited that he didn't notice how angry Joanna was becoming."Now that Gabriel's out of the picture, we don't have to sneak around anymore. I can finally be with you in public as myself."He didn't need to pretend to be Gabriel anymore.Joanna could think of a hundred explanations for Gabriel's absence, but she refused to believe he'd willingly let Ashton take his place.She stepped back and r

Chapter 7

Third-person's POVThe photo had ultimately been rejected, and Gabriel had been forced to dye his hair black and have it taken again.He'd been so upset that he'd thrown the original away. "What kind of photographer promises it'll be accepted when he doesn't even know the rules?"Joanna had secretly retrieved the discarded photo and kept it tucked inside her purse ever since.Her friends often teased her for being old-fashioned enough to still carry a purse, but she'd never minded. After all, it held a photo of the man she loved most.…Gabriel's POVSomehow, I'd managed to fight my way back to the surface and pull myself onto the rocks. My arms were completely numb by then, and the pain from my broken bones was so unbearable that tears kept streaming down my face.If Serena hadn't found me when she did, I wouldn't have survived.I had no idea how long I'd been unconscious. When I finally opened my eyes, I was surrounded by people speaking in a soft, lilting dialect I di

Chapter 8

Gabriel's POV"She even kept medication in her desk in case you started bleeding and needed it."The other classmates had quickly joined in."Remember how many love letters you used to get? Serena was so jealous! She actually tracked down every girl who wrote to you and warned her to stay away!"Everyone had enthusiastically started reminiscing about our school days.The irony was that Serena herself was thousands of miles away, and I was hearing about her feelings from everyone but her.Throughout the reunion, the seat beside me had remained empty.…Under Serena's care, my health steadily improved. But even after I was well enough to move around on my own, she insisted on staying with me.She'd practically turned half my hospital room into an office, covering it with company documents. At night, once I'd fallen asleep, she'd switch on a small lamp and quietly catch up on her work.Sometimes, I'd watch her reviewing documents with a serious expression.I found the change fa

Chapter 9

Gabriel's POVAs soon as Serena saw me, she got up and came over to take my hand."You're freezing! I'll have Peter turn down the air conditioning next time."Her affectionate gesture left little doubt about how close we were, and Shawn immediately began apologizing for everything he'd said to me the day before.I'd been expecting a difficult negotiation. In fact, I'd even packed plenty of hangover remedies, assuming I'd have to drink quite a bit before Shawn would agree to anything.But Serena announced that she was cutting back on alcohol for health reasons, so we ended up drinking mocktails instead.I hadn't even finished half my presentation when Shawn announced that he was ready to sign the contract.Before I could respond, Serena spoke up."Actually, I think we should change the profit split to 80-20. Would that work for you?"Shawn's smile stiffened. It was obvious that she was deliberately taking advantage of her position.But in the end, he agreed to the revised term

Chapter 10

Gabriel's POVI smiled at Serena's affectionate complaints, but when I turned around, I saw someone I hadn't seen in a long time.It was Joanna.I'd thought we'd never see each other again.Strangely enough, seeing her no longer brought back any of the heartbreak or pain I'd suffered because of her.Her voice was hoarse when she spoke, but she couldn't hide her excitement. "Gabe, I've finally found you."She looked almost overwhelmed with relief, as though she'd spent all this time searching for something precious she'd lost and could hardly believe it was standing before her again.But before I could respond, Serena took my hand."I'm afraid you've caught us at a bad time, Ms. Stiles. My husband and I were just heading out."Joanna ignored her and kept her eyes fixed on me."Gabe, come home with me."How many times had I said those same words to her?Years ago, when I'd agreed to move into the Stiles residence, I'd asked for only one thing in return. Joanna had to promise

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