SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 12

Camille's point of view

Rose had posted a "tribute" to me, a carefully filtered photo of us as teenagers, her arm around my shoulders, her face glowing while mine was partly in shadow "Missing my angel sister every day. Your light wa Beneath it, dozens of sympathetic comments. Friends who'd never questioned her role in my marriage's end. Acquaintances eager to attach themselves to her grief narrative.

And Stefan, commenting with a simple heart emoji. The man who'd handed me divorce papers on our anniversary, now publicly mourning the wife he'd discarded

“Enough” I said finally, closing the laptop. "I've seen what I needed to see.

Victoria studied me carefully. "And what do you feel?"

I searched myself, digging for the hurt, the rage, the betrayal that should be there. Instead, I found something colder, more focused. Like looking at specimens in a lab.

Mothing, 1 answered honestly. "They're strangers performing in a play."

Victoria's smile was approving "Good Emotional detachment is essential for what comes next."

She gestured to the rest of the files on her desk. "Your new fe awaits, Camille. Elite education. Investment prodigy. My reclusive adopted daughter finally emerging totake her place in my empire."

I picked up my new passport, thumb brushing over the name embossed in gold. Camille Kane. A woman who'd never been hurt by Rose. Never been betrayed by Stefan. Never been overlooked by parents who "And if someone recognizes me? Someone who knew Camille Lewis?"

Victoria's expression turned serious. "Your new life must be impenetrable. If anyone connects Camille Kane to

Lewis, everything we've built collapses."

"How do we prevent that?"

"First, appetere" She gestured to my hair. "Tomorrow morning, our stylists will transform you. New cut, new elor, subtle changes that create distance from your former self."

I touched my long brown waves, mother piece of the old me about to disappear. "What else?

"Body Language Speech patterns. The way you walk, the way you hold a glass, the way you respond to questions. nord sessions with a behavioral coach who work with intelligence agencies. He'll help eliminat The thorough of the plan was both impressive and terrifying, Victoria had thought of everything, anticipated ety pratitial crack in toy raw identity.

she continued, "limited exposure

Lewis. For at least the first year, you'll avoid any setting

"And der that?

your new identity is firmly established, when the world

without question, then we begin the

another file, this one containing financial reports,

seeking five million in startup capital. Her current business plan is

the numbers, the projections, seeing the dream my sister had likely been nurturing even while pretending to support

very interested in her proposal. So interested that I'm

hands.

Perhaps eighteen months. Time for your 'death' to fade from memory. Time for your new identity to solidify, Time for you to master every skill you'll need to dismantle their world piece by piece." I nodded, a plan forming. Not just revenge, but justice. Not just destruction, but reconstruction. Taking back everything they'd stolen from me

Lewis to Camille Kane. Language lessons. Etiquette training Finance courses. Self- defense classes. Public. speaking

AM. Hair and styling. 9 AM. Diction coach. 11 AM. Press conference preparation. 2 PM. Official introduction to the board of Kane Industries." The day stretched

of executing the justice I

desk drawer and withdrew a small velvet

platinum chain. Diamonds formed the bird's wings, catching light as

gift to you. A reminder of

fastening the necklace around my throat. The pendant settled against my skin, cool at first,

her hands resting briefly on my shoulders.

phoenix, feeling its weight

place. Your new identity, your education, your backstory. Now we

button on her

Moments

two others in similar dark suits. They carried tablets and folders, standing at attention until Victoria nodded for them to

Lewis and Mr. Rodriguez returned from Greece this

the parents?" Victoria

obligations. Mrs. Lewis has increased her anxiety medication. Mr. Lewis has been spending more time at his club th "Financial status?" Victoria directed this question to the third

has faded, investors are questioning Mr. Lewis's focus. The Rodriguez family business remains stable, though

want updates daily. Focus particularly on Rose's business

"Yes, Ms. Kane."