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 been 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. Which was

there in her impeccable business suit,

crossed to me, handing over a green smoothie in a steel tumbler. "Protein, vitamins, minerals.

was awful-like liquified grass with a hint

not to complain. Victoria didn't

especially not from her

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

reactions remain inadequate."

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

"And how did this serve you when

When

of fists connecting with my ribs sent phantom pain through my body.

"The world doesn't care about fair. It

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

off. "Your Stanford and

schools explains your absence from American social circles. The timing

a collection of wooden training knives. Victoria nodded to him and turned

Rousseau. Your French remains embarrassingly rudimentary

back a retort. Arguing

the board members at seven." She handed

faces and bios of

executives, all

names, more details to

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

a hand to pull me up from the bench. If I expected gentleness

said, demonstrating a slashing motion

from someone standing closer than you

forearm where I'd failed to block correctly.

bathroom alone in my suite was bigger than my entire first apartment after college. Italian marble, gold fixtures,

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

a car. My reflection looked

Exactly as Victoria intended.

walted downstairs, James holding the door with hissual stoic expression. Since becoming Victoria's adopted daughter,

Every aspect of my existence was

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