SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 3

ROSE'S POINT OF VIEW

I swirled the champagne in my crystal flute, watching the bubbles dance. Victory tasted sweet, just like I'd imagined all these years. The living room of my penthouse apartment overlooked the city where I'd spent twenty years pretending to be the perfect adopted daughter, the loving sister, the supportive friend.

What a joke.

"To freedom," I whispered to my reflection in the window. The woman staring back at me smiled, perfect teeth, perfect hair, perfect lies. Just like always.

My phone buzzed again. Another missed call from Stefan. He'd been calling non- stop since Camille walked out, probably worried I'd change my mind now that everything was in the open. Poor, predictable Stefan. Still thinking he was in control of any of this.

I kicked off my Louboutins and sank into the leather couch, letting memories wash over me like warm wine.

The first time I saw Camille Lewis, I hated her.

I was thirteen, fresh out of foster care, desperate to please my new parents. They'd brought me to this massive house with its manicured lawn and marble floors, promising me a fresh start. A real family.

Then this skinny thing with braces and messy hair came bouncing down the stairs, all eager smiles and innocent eyes.

"Hi! I'm Camille. I've always wanted a sister!"

She hugged me right there in the foyer, not caring that my clothes were

secondhand or that I smelled like the group home's industrial detergent. Just pure, genuine joy at having a sister.

I wanted to vomit.

Because there she was, this awkward, imperfect girl who had everything I'd spent thirteen years dreaming about. Parents who actually wanted her. A home she belonged in. A future secured by the Lewis family name.

didn't even

that first night, watched how she slouched in her chair and talked with her mouth full. How she didn't know which fork

lovely manners," Mrs. Lewis.... Mom..... had said, smiling at me. "Perhaps you could learn from

perfect world. The slight dimming of

It was beautiful.

face lit up

"Darling, you're being needy."

rough. Had he been drinking? "She's gone.

kept my voice gentle, soothing. The same tone I'd used all those times I'd counseled Camille through her marital problems.

way she

edge into my sweetness. "Are you having second thoughts? After everything we've

of course not. I love you.

stop calling me about your ex-wife.

hung up, tossing the phone aside. Men were so predictably weak. Even Stefan, who I'd spent four years grooming before pushing him toward

served his purpose. Just like everyone else in my carefully

of course. Always the center. Camille

had been easy. Almost

with Mom about how worried I was about my dear sister's emotional state. Casual mentions to Dad about how Camille seemed to be

of careful groundwork, positioning myself as the responsible daughter, the achievable dream, while slowly crushing Camille's confidence,

inspired, if I do say so myself. All it took was one tearful conversation with Mom about finding Camille's "secret" diary, filled with dark thoughts and destructive plans. Plans I'd written myself, of course, in Camille's childish handwriting that I'd spent months

daughter wasn't ready for college. Needed time to "find herself." Needed

could

took another sip of champagne, savoring the moment. Because this, this was what I'd really wanted all along. Not Stefan, he

to watch perfect, precious Camille finally break. To see her realize that everything she thought she had family, love, security, had been built on

please come over. Your father and I need to talk about what

already planning my performance. The tearful confusion, the reluctant confession about Stefan's