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.

stimportently," she continued,

first year, you'll avoid any setting where you might

"And der that?

identity is firmly

Kane without question, then

this one containing financial

fashion line. She's seeking five million in startup

glanced at the numbers, the projections, seeing the dream my sister had likely been nurturing even while

interested that I'm sending my protégée, you..... to handle the potential

formed in my mind instantly. Me, transformed, powerful, wealthy beyond imagination sitting across from Rose, holding her dreams in my hands. Her not

to master every skill you'll need to dismantle

a final document, a schedule that spanned months, detailing my transformation from Camille Lewis to Camille Kane. Language lessons. Etiquette training Finance courses. Self- defense classes. Public.

7 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 before me, the first of many that would forge me into someone new. Someone stronger.

of executing the justice I

withdrew

on a platinum chain. Diamonds formed the bird's wings, catching light as she held it

you. A reminder of what

the necklace around my throat. The pendant

to you," she murmured, her hands resting briefly on my shoulders. "From the fire they thought would destroy

touched the phoenix, feeling its weight

stacks. "Everything is in place. Your new identity, your education, your

her

Moments

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

Greece this morning,"

the parents?"

are maintaining appearances," another man reported. "Charity functions, social obligations. Mrs. Lewis has increased her anxiety medication. Mr. Lewis has been spending more time at his club th "Financial

faded, investors are questioning Mr. Lewis's focus. The Rodriguez family

"Continue monitoring. I want updates daily. Focus particularly on Rose's business activities. Every

"Yes, Ms. Kane."