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.

of Rose's face when she saw you at the house

hit again, putting slightly

voice hardened. "Think of Stefan signing

Heat bloomed

I threw another punch, then another, each

last

Now think of them laughing

my ring, Stefan in the tie I'd given him. Something snapped inside me.

Think of your parents choosing Ilose over you for fourteen

again and again. Each punch carried away a piece of furt, of betrayal, of worthlessness. I hit until my arms burned and sweat soaked

comment. I wiped my face, suddenly exhausted but

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

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

herself.

checked her

Philippe that probably cost more

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

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

us, weighted with expectations and possibilities.

if I'm not strong

something you're born with. It's something you build, one painful brick at a time. And you, Camille, have been gathering bricks for years without knowing it." She moved toward the door, pausing with her hand on the light switch. "Each betrayal, each disappointment, each moment they

are your building

we construct something magnificent from

that would soon

my bedroom door, Victoria paused. For