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.

of Rose's face when she saw you at the

putting slightly

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 walked

Heat bloomed

my chest, anger flickering to life. I threw another punch,

last

of them laughing

from my nightmare flashed before me, champagne glasses clinking, Rose wearing my ring, Stefan in the tie

attacked you. Think of your parents choosing Ilose over

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

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

time," Victoria said, unwrapping the gloves from my hands. "The last time you break for them. The last time you

not pity but recognition. Understanding. She knew this

herself.

checked her watch, a

that probably cost more

to finalize the adoption papers. By noon, you'll be legally Camille Kane.

sunrise onward, your are no longer

weighted with expectations and

I'm not strong

painful brick at a time. And you, Camille, have been gathering bricks for years without

your

we construct something

the gym, back through silent hallways that would

door,

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