SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

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-

cut into a sleek bob and dyed a rich, 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.

voice said from the doorway. Victoria stood there in her impeccable business suit, looking as though she'd been awake for

smoothie in a steel

liquified grass

not to complain.

not

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

reactions remain inadequate."

muttered, gulping the vile smoothie. "Three weeks ago, my biggest physical challenge

serve you when Rose took everything? discarded you? When

When

my ribs sent

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

cost more than my parents' car. "Your meeting with Japanese investors

"Your Stanford and Harvard credentials have been verified by

social circles. The timing is perfect,

collection of wooden training knives. Victoria nodded to him

French remains embarrassingly rudimentary for someone supposedly educated

bit back a

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

and bios of twelve

all

more details to absorb

now," Victoria said, already turning toward the door. "Jason, focus

out a hand to pull me up from the bench. If I expected gentleness after Victoria's demanding schedule, his grim expression crushed that

the movies," he said, demonstrating a

from someone standing

6:30, I had six new bruises and a shallow cut on my forearm where I'd failed to block correctly. By 7:15, I

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

out by my new personal stylist, a navy blue Chanel

My reflection looked polished, wealthy,

Exactly as Victoria intended.

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

my