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. My

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

The water rushed up.

lungs. As I sank, I saw them standing on the bridge. Rose

my mother

bother?" my father replied. "She was always

head, and darkness pulled me

I woke gasping, sheets

legs like grasping hands. For terrifying seconds, I couldn't remember where I was. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar, painted cherubs, golden trim,

upright, ignoring the protest from any

ChaMer

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

pale as paper, hair wild

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

between a laugh and a sol

bathroom worth more than my old car, in a mansion owned by one of the world's wealthiest women, who wanted to adopt

my hand against my mouth, trying to hold it in, but it was too late. The dam had

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. Years of

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

my palms. The physical pain was almost a relief,

"Enough."

eyes were sharp, assess Shame burned through me. She'd offered me strength, power, a chance at revenge, and here I was, dissolving on