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

through the bridge railing.

The water rushed up.

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

someone?" my

replied. "She

my head, and darkness pulled me down,

I woke gasping, sheets

was. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar, painted cherubs, golden trim, luxury I

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

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

skin pale as paper, hair wild

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

sound escaped me, something between a laugh and a sol The absurdity

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

pressed my hand against my mouth, trying to hold

bathroom wall until I hit the floor, laughter transforming to sobs that tore through my

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

relief, something solid to focus

"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 revenge, and here I was, dissolving on her bathroom floor at three in the morning. Proving everyone right about weak,