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.

bump. Metal against

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

The water rushed up.

lungs. As I sank, I saw them standing on the bridge. Rose Stefan. My parents. All watching

call someone?" my mother

bother?" my father replied. "She was always such

my head, and darkness pulled

I woke gasping, sheets

was. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar,

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

ChaMer

to hope for peac swung 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 padded to the bathroom, flipping on lights as I went. The woman

as paper, hair wild from thrashing in my

water on my face, Trying to wash away the nightmare's residue. But when I closed my eyes, I

and a sol

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 dead

hand against my mouth, trying to hold

hit the floor, laughter transforming to sobs that tore through my chest. Every breath hurt my bruised

dreams crushed by Rose's lies. For three years of marriage to a man who'd never truly seen me. For

a relief, something solid to focus on instead of the gaping emptiness

"Enough."

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