SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 9

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.

Rose's face when she saw you

putting slightly

hardened. "Think of Stefan

Heat bloomed

anger flickering to life. I threw

last

them laughing in that restaurant.

flashed before me, champagne glasses clinking, Rose wearing my ring, Stefan in the tie I'd given him. Something

you. Think of your parents choosing Ilose over you for fourteen

of it, fists connecting with leather again and again. Each punch carried away a piece of furt, of

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

unwrapping the gloves from my hands. "The last time you break for them. The last time you cry over people

her eyes, seeing not pity but recognition. Understanding. She knew this journey because she'd walked

herself.

She checked her watch, a

Philippe that probably cost

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

be transformed. But from sunrise onward, your are no longer their

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

if I'm

you build, one painful brick at a time. And you, Camille, have been gathering bricks for years without knowing it." She moved

are your building

something magnificent

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

bedroom door, Victoria paused.

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