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-

had thinned from the grueling exercise regiment and surgery, cheekbones now sharp enough to

a crisp voice said from the doorway. Victoria stood there in her impeccable business suit, looking

a green smoothie in a steel tumbler. "Protein,

was awful-like liquified grass with a hint

learned not to

not from

improvement," she said, scrolling through messages on her phone. "Though your

reactions remain inadequate."

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

you when Rose took

When

with my ribs sent phantom

noting my reaction. "The world doesn't care about fair. It respects only

her watch, a discreet Patek Philippe that probably cost more than my parents' car. "Your meeting with Japanese investors is at nine. After that, corporate finance with Professor Whitman until

Victoria cut me off. "Your Stanford and Harvard credentials have

Swiss boarding schools explains your absence from American social circles. The timing is perfect, mysterious heiress

carrying a collection of wooden training knives. Victoria nodded to

Madame Rousseau. Your French

bit back a retort. Arguing

board

showed faces and

all

names, more details to absorb into my already overloaded

Victoria said, already turning toward the door. "Jason, focus on knife defense

from the bench. If I expected gentleness after Victoria's demanding schedule, his grim expression crushed

said, demonstrating a slashing motion with

standing

my forearm where I'd failed to block correctly. By 7:15, I

alone in my suite was bigger than my entire first apartment after college. Italian marble, gold fixtures, towels softer than clouds. Luxury surrounded

stylist, a navy blue Chanel suit, cream silk blouse, and pearls that

car. My reflection looked polished, wealthy,

Exactly as Victoria intended.

James holding the door with hissual stoic expression. Since becoming Victoria's adopted daughter, I hadn't driven

my existence was managed,

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