Swapped: His Dead Wife's Revenge

Chapter 10

Nikolai’s Pov

I stood by the tall window in my bedroom, staring out at the perfectly manicured gardens below. The city lights glittered in the distance like distant stars, cold and unreachable. My fingers tightened around the glass of whiskey in my hand as memories of Diane flooded in again. Her laugh. The way she used to look at me like I was the only man in the world. She was gone now, taken by some cruel twist of fate, and I was left with this.

Married to Chloe.

The thought tasted bitter. I had finally given in to her months of desperate chasing, all for the business connections her father could bring. Transactional. That was all it had ever been. But now she was acting so strangely. Nothing like the bold, clingy woman who used to throw herself at me. She spoke of babies I supposedly killed, claimed she wasn’t Chloe at all. It was almost convincing if it wasn’t so ridiculous.

I picked up my phone and scrolled through old photos of Diane. Her smile filled the screen. No one could ever replace her. No one. I would make sure Chloe understood that every single day. I might not file for divorce immediately — the family companies needed this alliance too much — but I would make her life miserable until she regretted ever wanting me.

My phone buzzed. A text from Leo.

How is married life treating you, man?

I chuckled darkly and was about to reply when the phone rang. Leo.

“Hey, man,” I answered, leaning against the windowsill.

“How are you holding up?” Leo asked, his voice warm with that easy humor I could never quite match.

“Fine. Why?”

“Come on, you just got married. Tell me how married life is.”

I rolled my eyes even though he couldn’t see. “Don’t start with that shit.”

Leo laughed. “I’m not married, and you practically are now. So how is it? Is the honeymoon phase already over?”

“She’s been acting weird,” I admitted, swirling the whiskey in my glass. “Ever since the accident. Talking nonsense. Saying I shot her babies, that she’s not Chloe, some crazy story about switching bodies. I knew Chloe was dramatic, but this is next level.”

Leo was quiet for a second. “Maybe the accident messed with her head more than we thought.”

“Maybe. Or maybe she’s playing some new game. Either way, she’ll come back to her senses soon. Or she won’t. I don’t really care.”

We talked for a while about random things — business, old memories. Then Leo suggested adding Liam to the call. I agreed. Liam picked up on the third ring, his voice as calm and reserved as always.

“Hey,” Liam said.

“How’s the medical practice going?” I asked.

“It’s fine. Busy. I’ll be back in town soon. I hear congratulations are in order for your new wife.”

I groaned. “Why is everyone suddenly so interested in my wife?”

Liam’s tone stayed dry. “We all know how crazy Chloe can be. I’m wondering how you’re going to survive her.”

I smirked. “You’ve got it wrong. The real question is how she’s going to survive me.”

Both of them laughed. The conversation flowed easily for a few more minutes until one of the maids knocked softly on my door.

“Sir, your family has arrived.”

I ended the call and quickly showered, then threw on a casual black shirt and trousers. My family was complicated. Always had been. Publicly perfect. Privately a mess.

By the time I reached the dining room, the table was already set with fine china and crystal glasses. My mother spotted me first and rushed over, pulling me into a tight hug like I was still a little boy.

“Oh, my boy!” she exclaimed, squeezing me hard. “Look at you. Still my little one, no matter how big you think you are.”

“Mom, please,” I muttered, but I let her hug me. It was easier than arguing.

My father gave me a curt nod from across the room. “Nikolai.”

“Dad.”

Betty bounced in next, all bright smiles and energy. She hugged mum and dad tightly. “Missed you, guys.”

The three of them settled in. My mother clapped her hands. “I’m starving. Let’s eat first, then shower later. Where is Chloe? She should be joining us.”

I glanced toward the stairs, irritation rising. I had told that girl to be downstairs on time. “She’ll be here soon.”

We started setting the final touches on the table. Minutes passed. My jaw tightened. What the hell was taking her so long? The accident was no excuse for this kind of stupidity.

Finally, footsteps sounded on the stairs.

I turned.

Chloe appeared, dressed in simple formal clothes with almost no makeup, just a touch of lip gloss. Her hair was neat but nothing like the glamorous, made-up Chloe I knew. She looked… ordinary. Scared. Awkward.

She sat down quietly and said, “Hello.”

My mother smiled warmly. “Hello, dear. How are you feeling? The accident must have been so hard on you.”

“Fine,” Chloe replied softly, eyes downcast.

My father studied her with a frown. “It seems the accident really messed you up.”

“Yeah,” I said, watching her closely. “That’s what I’ve been saying.”

The conversation moved on to business and family matters. Chloe stayed completely silent, picking at her food like a ghost at the table. It was pissing me off. This quiet, terrified version of her felt wrong.

My mother noticed too. “You know what? Let’s not push her tonight. The accident is still fresh. We are good people. We can be patient.”

But I saw the look my parents exchanged. Their public perfect marriage was a lie. Open behind closed doors. They were here for the business alliance with Chloe’s father as much as anything else.

My father turned to Chloe. “So, when are you planning to start work at the company?”

Chloe looked up, eyes wide with something close to panic.

I answered for her before she could speak. “She’ll start next week.”