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 metal.

spinning as my car broke through the bridge railing. That weightless moment

The water rushed up.

them standing on the bridge. Rose Stefan. My parents.

we call someone?" my mother asked,

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

and darkness pulled me down, down,

I woke gasping, sheets

remember where I was. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar,

to my skin like river mad. I pushed myself upright, ignoring the

ChaMer

on the bedside table glowed 1:17 AM. Too early to be awake, too late 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

paper, hair wild from thrashing in

Trying to wash away the nightmare's residue. But when I closed my eyes, I saw them again. Laughing Toasting

me, something between a laugh and a sol The absurdity suddenly hit me

owned by one

time, edged with brysteria. I pressed my hand against my mouth, trying to hold it in, but it was too late. The dam

wall until I hit the floor, laughter transforming to sobs that tore through my chest. Every breath hurt my bruised ribs, but I couldn't stop.

marriage to a man who'd never truly seen me. For the weak, trusting fool I'd been, giving char

into my palms. The physical pain was almost a relief, something solid

"Enough."

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