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

hit again, putting slightly

she did to you?" Victoria's voice hardened. "Think of Stefan signing those divorce papers on your anniversary. Think

Heat bloomed

threw another punch, then another, each one

last

Now think of them laughing in that restaurant.

your replacement." The image from my nightmare flashed before me, champagne glasses clinking, Rose wearing my ring, Stefan in the tie I'd given him. Something

Think of your parents choosing Ilose over

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

finally stopped, chest heaving, Victoria released the bag and handed me a towel without comment. I wiped my

time you break for them. The last time you cry over people who never deserved

but recognition. Understanding. She knew this journey because she'd

herself.

checked her watch,

probably cost

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

it can be transformed. But from sunrise onward, your are no

hung in the air between us, weighted with expectations and possibilities. I

if I'm not

as a blade. "Strength isn't 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

your

we construct something magnificent

from the gym, back through silent hallways that would soon

my bedroom door,