SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 8

CAMILLE'S POINT OF VIEW

The nightmare grabbed me by the throat, dragging me under before I could fight back.

I was standing in the rain outside a restaurant, my face pregard against cold glass, watching Rose and Stefant inside. They sat at a candlelit table, champagne glasses raised in a toast. Stefan wore the tie I'd gi Their

laughter reached me somehow, cutting through the glass barrier. They were laughing at me.

"Did you see her face?" Rose's voice echoed unnaturally lour "When she found the divorce papers? Like a stupid. puppy being abandoned at the shelter."

Stefan chuckled, pouring more champagne. "And when she realized it was you? God, I almost felt sorry for her."

"Almost," Rose agreed, her smile shark-

like. “But not quite. She made it too easy, Stef. Always so desperate to be loved. So willing to believe the lies."

They clinked glasses again. The sound transformed into breaking glass, shattering windows, car metal crumpling

The scene shifted. I was in my car, rain hammering the windshield, wipers fighting a losing battle against the downpour. My cheeks were wet- tears or rain, I couldn't tell anymore.

Headlights appeared behind me, too bright, too fast. Gaining.

I gripped the steering wheel tighter, foot pressing the accelerator. The headlights grew closer, lighting up my rearview mirror until I was blind.

against

I was flying, the world spinning as my car broke through the bridge railing. That weightless moment

The water rushed up.

sank, I saw them standing on the bridge. Rose Stefan. My parents. All watching impassively as I drowned. Rose waved goodbye, her

my mother

father replied. "She was always such

water closed over my head, and darkness

I woke gasping, sheets

terrifying seconds, I couldn't remember where I was. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar, painted cherubs, golden trim, luxury I hadn't

terror remained, clinging to my skin like river mad. I pushed myself upright, ignoring the protest from any healing ribs, Sweat

ChaMer

my legs over the side of the bed, needing to move, to prove to myself I wasn't drowning deep. I The marble floor was cold against my bare feet as I

hair wild from

wash away the nightmare's residue. But when I

between a laugh and a sol

standing in a bathroom worth more than my old car, in a mansion owned by one of the world's wealthiest women, who wanted to adopt me because I looked like her

with brysteria. I pressed my hand against my mouth,

to sobs that tore through my chest. Every breath

girl who'd never been enough. For the college dreams crushed by Rose's lies. For three years of marriage to a man who'd never truly

pain was almost a relief,

"Enough."

cut through my breakdown like a knife. Victoria stood in the doorway, silver hair loose around her shoulders, wrapped in a black silk robe. Her face gave nothing away, but her eyes were sharp, assess Shame burned through me. She'd offered me strength, power, a chance at revenge, and here I was, dissolving on her