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-

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

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

me, handing over a green smoothie in a steel tumbler. "Protein, vitamins, minerals. Drink it

liquified grass with a hint of

not to

not

said, scrolling through messages on her

reactions remain inadequate."

"Three weeks ago, my biggest

flicked up from her screen. "And how did this serve you when Rose took everything? discarded you? When

When

memory of fists connecting with my ribs

about fair. It

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

me off. "Your Stanford and Harvard

social

of wooden training knives. Victoria nodded to him

lessons with Madame Rousseau. Your French remains embarrassingly

bit back a

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

and

all

More names, more details to absorb into my already overloaded

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

to pull me up from the bench. If I

he said, demonstrating a slashing motion with the wooden trainer." They're fast, dirty,

from someone standing

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

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

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

My reflection looked

Exactly as Victoria intended.

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

of my existence was managed, controlled,

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