Swapped: His Dead Wife's Revenge

Chapter 17

June’s Pov

I stepped into the bar and the world shifted around me. The place was quiet, dimly lit, with soft music playing in the background. For one second I felt like I could breathe. Then the hostess looked up, her eyes widened, and she smiled like she had just seen a movie star.

“Mrs. McCoy,” she said warmly. “Welcome. It is so good to see you.”

Mrs. McCoy. The name hit me like a slap. I was Mrs. McCoy now. Nikolai’s wife. Chloe’s name on my body. I forced a small smile and nodded, but inside my stomach twisted. People at nearby tables turned their heads. Phones came out. Whispers started. Oh my God, it’s Chloe McCoy. She’s here. Look at her.

I had forgotten. Completely forgotten that in this body I was famous. A model with millions of followers. Everyone knew my face. I wanted to turn around and run back to the car, but the hostess was already leading me to a quiet corner booth that felt private enough. Still, I could feel eyes on me. Every step, every breath, someone was watching.

“Thank you,” I said, sliding into the seat. My voice sounded small even to me.

The hostess smiled again. “Anything you need, just let me know. Your usual?”

I had no idea what Chloe’s usual was. I nodded anyway. “Yes. And… any other expensive drink you have. Surprise me.”

She gave me a quick, curious look but left without asking questions. I sat there with my heart hammering. My legs tapped under the table. I pulled out the new phone and opened the banking app. Face ID worked instantly. When the balance loaded, my eyes widened. The number was ridiculous. Millions. Chloe was loaded. I could actually run. Start over somewhere far away in this body and disappear.

But then what? Everyone knew Chloe’s face. They would find me in a day. I was trapped in a life that was not mine, and even money could not fix that.

The drink arrived. I took a long sip, letting the cold liquid burn down my throat. It helped a little. I stared at the phone again and dialed Blue’s number one more time. It rang. Once. Twice. Then it connected.

“Hello?” Blue’s voice came through, a little muffled.

“Blue!” I almost cried out. “Blue, it’s me. It’s June. Please, you have to listen to me.”

There was a pause. “Hello? I can’t hear you clearly. Who is this?”

The line went dead. She had hung up.

I stared at the screen, tears stinging my eyes. I wanted to scream. I had been calling and calling and she was right there, living her life, while I was stuck in this nightmare. I wiped my face quickly before anyone noticed.

Before I could spiral any further, the door opened again. A familiar laugh cut through the low music. I looked up and my whole world stopped.

It was Blue.

She walked in with some guy, smiling, hair loose, looking exactly like the best friend I remembered. My chest tightened so hard I could barely breathe. I stood up without thinking and practically ran across the room.

“Blue!” I threw my arms around her and hugged her so tight I was probably hurting her. “Oh my God. Blue. It’s you. It’s really you.”

She stiffened at first, then laughed nervously. “Whoa, okay. You’re choking me a little.”

I pulled back, tears already falling. “Blue, it’s me. It’s June. I’ve been trying to call you for days. Something terrible happened. I need you. Please.”

Blue stared at me, confusion all over her face. The guy with her looked uncomfortable. “Um… I did not expect to walk into a bar and get hugged by the famous Chloe McCoy. I guess congratulations on the marriage to Nikolai McCoy. I’m honored?”

“Blue, please,” I begged, grabbing her hand. “I need to talk to you right now. It’s me. June. Not Chloe.”

Blue’s eyes widened. She glanced at the guy. “Give us a minute?”

I dragged her to my table before she could say no. We sat down. She looked at me like I had grown another head.

“What is going on, Chloe? This is like a dream come true seeing you, but… what are you talking about?”

“I don’t have time for this,” I said, my voice shaking. “I am June. I’ve been calling your number. Remember the day I left Frederick’s house? I called you because he cheated on me. You were with your ex again. I left the hotel, went to eat, and then I was shot. I died, Blue. I felt it. But when I woke up I was in this body. I am married to the man who shot me. I don’t know where my real body is. I don’t know what is happening. Please believe me.”

Blue sat very still. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Calm down. You’re saying you are my friend June and you are inside Chloe McCoy’s body? You were shot? I… I don’t understand. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I know you think I’m crazy,” I whispered, tears falling faster. “But I’m not. Ask me anything. Anything only June would know.”

Blue looked around, then leaned in. “Okay. Last question. When we were in high school, what did we do the night before your first date with Frederick? The exact thing we promised never to tell anyone.”

I answered without hesitation. The memory was so clear it hurt.

Blue’s face went pale. “What the f**k? Wait… how do you know that?”

“Because I am June,” I said, my voice breaking. “I am your best friend. I lost my babies. I lost my body. I lost everything. And I have been calling you and calling you and you weren’t answering because your phone got stolen or something. Please, Blue. Help me figure this out. I can’t do this alone.”

Blue stared at me for a long time. Her eyes searched my face like she was looking for the lie. Then she slowly shook her head.

“This is f*****g crazy. This sounds like a movie or a novel. But… the things you just said. No one else knows those details. Not even close.”

The guy who had come in with her walked over. “Blue, I’ve been waiting. What’s up?”

I looked at him, my patience gone. “Just get the f**k out. I need to talk to her. Go.”

Blue waved him off. “Give us a minute. Please.”

He left, confused. Blue slid into the seat across from me, eyes wide.

“f**k. Tell me everything. How did this happen? Where is your real body? How is this even possible?”

I took a deep breath and started from the beginning. The pregnancy appointment. Coming home to Frederick cheating. The divorce. Driving away in tears. The restaurant. The gunshot. Waking up in the hospital in Chloe’s body. Nikolai. The forced marriage. Betty. The evidence. Everything. I told her every painful detail, my voice cracking, tears falling freely now.

Blue listened without interrupting, her face going through shock, disbelief, and finally something like belief.

When I finished, she reached across the table and grabbed my hand. “This is insane. But I believe you. I don’t know how or why, but I believe you. We have to figure this out. Who took you when you were shot? Do you remember anything at all?”

I shook my head. “No. I don’t remember anything after the gunshot. Just darkness, then waking up in the hospital with everyone calling me Chloe.”