SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 9

Victoria stopped at a heavy wooden door, unlocking; it with key from her robe pocket. Inside was a home gym. unlike any I'd ever seen, state- of-the-

art equipment, mirrors covering one wall, a boxing ring taking up the center of the room.

She flipped on lights that mimicked daylight, making; me blink at the sudden brightness. Without a word, she crossed to a cabinet and extracted hand wraps and boxing gloves "Put these on."

I took them, bewildered. "Victoria, it's the middle of the night."

"And you're awake, drowning in self-

pity instead of planning your resurrection." Her voice wasn't cruel, just matter-of-

fact. "So put them on."

My hands trembled as I wrapped them, clumsy from Inexperience. Victoria watched, neither helping nor criticizing, until I managed to secure the gloves.

"Hit that." She pointed to a heavy bag hanging in the corner

I approached it uncertainly. "I've never boxed before."

"I'm not teaching you to box. I'm teaching you to channel your rage." She positioned

herself behind the bag, holding it steady. "Now hit it. Hard as you can."

Feeling foolish, I threw a weak punch. The bag barely moved.

face when she saw you at the house

hit again, putting slightly more force

anger you have? After what she did to you?" Victoria's voice hardened. "Think of Stefan signing those divorce papers on your anniversary. Think of your mother comforting Rose while you

Heat bloomed

to life. I threw another punch, then another, each one harder

last

of them laughing in that

from my nightmare flashed before me, champagne glasses clinking, Rose wearing my ring, Stefan in the tie I'd given him. Something snapped inside me. My "Yes!" Victoria's approval

Think of your parents choosing Ilose over you

myself in the rhythm of it, fists connecting with leather again and again. Each punch carried away a piece of furt, of betrayal, of worthlessness. I hit until my arms burned

the bag and handed me a towel without comment. I wiped my face, suddenly exhausted but oddly cleaner somehow, Like I'd purged something

gloves from my hands. "The last time you break for them. The last time you

but recognition. Understanding. She knew this journey

herself.

She checked her

probably cost

four hours, you'll meet with the lawyers to finalize the adoption papers. By noon, you'll be legally Camille Kane. By evening, you'll have begun your education in fina She tossed the

was necessary, Grief must be acknowledged before it can be transformed. But from sunrise onward, your

with expectations and possibilities. I straightened my shoulders, Ignoring the

if I'm

at a time. And you, Camille, have been gathering bricks for years without knowing it." She moved toward the door, pausing with her hand

your

something

her from the gym, back through silent hallways that would soon become familiar. My

door, Victoria