SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

CAMILLE'S POINT OF VIEW

The fist came at my face too fast to dodge. I tried to block like Jason had taught me, but my arms felt heavy as stone. His knuckles grazed my cheek as I stumbled backward.

"Too slow," he barked. "Again."

My lungs burned. Sweat stung my eyes. We'd been at this for almost two hours, and the digital clock on the gym wall showed 5:47 AM. The sun wasn't even up yet.

Jason Winters stood opposite me on the training mat, barely breathing hard. His military haircut and scarred face gave nothing away, no tiredness, no frustration, just cold assessment. As Victoria's head of secu

"I can't,"4 gasped, hands on my knees. "Need water."

"Your sister won't give you water when she's destroying

everything you love," he said flatly. "Your ex-

husband won't offer a break when he's laughing at your weakness,"

The mention of Rose and Stefan sent fresh anger coursing through me. I straightened, raising my fists again. Jason nodded once, approval flickering in his gray eyes. "Channel it. Use it."

He circled me slowly. I tracked his movement, watching for tells we'd discussed yesterday, the slight shoulder drop before he jabbed, the weight shift before he kicked.

There, his right foot pivoted slightly. I ducked the punch that followed, slipping inside his

guard like he'd demonstrated. My counter-

strike hit his ribs, not hard enough to damage but enough to make him grunt.

"Better," he said, stepping back. "You're learning.”

Those words were the closest thing to praise I'd received since this nightmare training began. Three weeks of waking at 4:30 AM for combat lessons with Jason, followed by business classes, language instructi "Ten minute break," Jason said, checking his watch. "Then weapons training."

I collapsed onto a bench, grabbing my water bottle with shaking hands. My body felt like one massive bruise. Even my fingernails hurt.

In the mirrored wall opposite me, a stranger stared back. My once-

darker shade. My face had thinned from the grueling exercise regiment and surgery, cheekbones now sharp enough to cut glass. Designer workou I barely recognized myself anymore. Which was exactly

Victoria stood there in her impeccable business suit, looking as though she'd been awake for hours. Perhaps

over a green smoothie in a steel tumbler. "Protein, vitamins, minerals.

liquified grass with a hint of

not to complain.

not

through messages on her phone. "Though your

reactions remain inadequate."

the vile smoothie. "Three weeks ago, my biggest physical challenge was yoga twice

when Rose took everything? discarded you? When those men attacked you in the

When

my ribs sent phantom pain through

"The world doesn't care about fair. It respects only strength and the willingness to use

checked her watch, a discreet Patek Philippe that probably cost more than my parents' car. "Your meeting with Japanese investors is at nine.

laid," Victoria cut me off. "Your Stanford and

American social circles. The timing is perfect, mysterious

returned, carrying a collection of wooden training knives. Victoria nodded to him

language lessons with Madame Rousseau. Your French

bit back a

Mrs. Harrington from four to six. Dinner with the board members at seven." She handed me a tablet.

showed faces and

all

names, more details to absorb

now," Victoria said, already turning toward the door. "Jason, focus on knife defense today. The weakness in her

Jason held out a hand to pull me up from the bench. If I expected gentleness after Victoria's demanding schedule,

he said, demonstrating a slashing motion with the wooden trainer."

from someone standing

had six new bruises and a shallow cut on my forearm where I'd failed to block correctly.

shower, I let hot water pound my aching muscles. The bathroom alone in my suite was bigger than my entire first apartment after college. Italian marble, gold fixtures, towels softer than clouds. Luxury surrounded me now, but it felt like a beautiful

outfit laid out by my new personal stylist, a navy blue Chanel suit, cream silk blouse, and pearls that cost

My reflection looked polished,

Exactly as Victoria intended.

the door with hissual stoic expression. Since becoming Victoria's adopted daughter, I hadn't driven myself anywhere. Hadn't cooked a meal, made a

Every aspect of my existence was managed, controlled,

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