Swapped: His Dead Wife's Revenge

Chapter 13

June’s Pov

Amelia and Sarah talked for hours. They laughed about old parties, gossiped about people I did not know, and kept touching my arm like we had been best friends forever. I smiled when I was supposed to and nodded at the right moments, but inside my head everything felt heavy. My day had already been terrible, I just wanted to stay quiet and survive.

Sarah suddenly clapped her hands. “We have talked so much. Why don’t we go swimming? The pool here is amazing.”

I remembered seeing the swimming pool from my window. It looked beautiful, but the idea made my stomach twist. “No, I don’t think I want to. I really don’t have the strength right now.”

Amelia shook her head. “Definitely not. Swimming will help your brain and stretch your muscles. You will get your vibe back. No saying no.”

I tried again. “But I don’t even have a swimming suit.”

Sarah laughed and opened the closet. “In this closet you have hundreds of them. We will wear yours. Let’s get started.”

They were so excited and happy that I forced a smile and went along with it. At least these two did not judge me like Betty or Nikolai. They felt safer, even if their words about Diane and their plans still confused me.

We searched through the drawers until we found bikinis. They changed quickly and helped me pick one. Soon we were outside by the pool, applying sunscreen under the warm sun. Servants brought wine and snacks. Sarah and Amelia talked nonstop while I stayed mostly quiet, floating in the water and trying to pretend I belonged.

I felt a cold gaze on me. When I looked up, Nikolai was standing at one of the upstairs windows, staring down with an enraged look. A shiver ran down my spine. I quickly looked away and told the girls I was tired and needed to eat something.

One of the maids, Susan I think, came out soon after. “Lunch is ready, ma’am.”

We dried off, changed into comfortable clothes, and went inside. Nikolai’s parents were not at the table, which made me thankful. I did not have energy for more questions. Nikolai was there though, sitting at the head like a king.

The food was perfect. Fancy meat, vegetables arranged like art, everything expensive and beautiful. I ate slowly, my appetite almost gone. Sarah noticed.

“Are you okay? Don’t you enjoy the food?”

“I do,” I said softly. “I just want to take it slow.”

Amelia leaned closer with a mischievous smile. “Do you see how Nikolai is staring at you? Eyes full of love. I bet he wants to f**k you right now.”

“Hey, stop it,” I whispered, cheeks burning.

Sarah grinned. “I swear, for real. His eyes are trailing down your body. Look at what you are wearing. That dress shows everything. The guy is going gaga.”

“He is right there,” I said, voice low. “Please stop saying it out loud.”

I glanced at Nikolai. Those eyes were not full of love. They were full of hatred and something darker. Amelia and Sarah seemed to live in their own fantasy, believing Chloe would win his heart. I knew better.

Suddenly Nikolai stood up. “Chloe. My room. Now.”

He walked out without waiting.

Amelia and Sarah gave me knowing looks. “I told you so,” Sarah said. “He wants to f**k you. Go be a good girl and meet your husband.”

“I don’t think it is that,” I muttered. “Maybe he just wants to talk.”

Sarah laughed. “His eyes were all over you. It is definitely not about talking. He will be waiting in the room. Have fun.”

I stood up on shaky legs and walked upstairs, silently praying it was not about s*x. I did not want his hands on me again. I did not want any of it.

I reached his room and pushed the door open. Nikolai was sitting casually on the couch near his desk, one leg crossed over the other. He looked like a model from a magazine, dark hair perfect, brown eyes sharp. But I knew the monster behind that face.

“You called for me,” I said quietly. “Do you want something?”

He took a slow sip of his drink. “Do you think I would call you if I did not need anything? Don’t get your hopes high.”

“Okay,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “What is it?”

His eyes burned with hatred as he looked at me. “Watch it. Don’t talk to me like that.”

I swallowed hard. “Nikolai, what do you want?”

He stood up slowly. He was so tall. He stepped closer, forcing me to move back until my back hit the wall.

“Nowhere to run again, Chloe,” he said, voice low and dangerous. “Be a good girl for me and get on your f*****g knees. Don’t test my patience.”

My heart slammed against my ribs. I shook my head, tears already burning my eyes. “Please… not right now. I’m still sore from last night. I can’t—”

He moved even closer until his body almost touched mine. The scent of his cologne filled my nose, dark and expensive. His hand came up and gripped my chin, tilting my face up so I had to look at him. His brown eyes were cold, but there was something else burning behind them. Anger. Hunger. Control.

“You don’t get to say no,” he whispered, his breath brushing my lips. “You chased me for months. You sent me pictures of this body. You begged to be mine. Now you have me. And I will use you whenever I want.”

Tears slipped down my cheeks. “That wasn’t me. I’m not her. Please… just let me go.”

His grip tightened, not enough to bruise but enough to remind me who was in charge. “On your knees, Chloe.”

I stayed frozen for a second, every part of me screaming to fight. But I was tired. Scared. And I knew fighting would only make it worse. Slowly, my legs gave way. I slid down the wall until I was on my knees in front of him.

Nikolai looked down at me, his expression unreadable. He reached for his belt, the metal buckle clicking loudly in the quiet room. The sound sent a fresh wave of fear through me.

“Good girl,” he murmured, voice rough. “Now open your mouth.”