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-

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.

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

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

was awful-like liquified grass with a

I'd learned not to complain. Victoria

especially not

said, scrolling through messages on her phone. "Though

reactions remain inadequate."

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

eyes flicked up from her screen. "And how did this serve you when Rose took everything? discarded you? When those men attacked you in the

When

my ribs sent phantom pain through my body. I

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

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

Victoria cut me off. "Your Stanford and Harvard

American social circles. The timing is perfect, mysterious heiress emerges just as

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

French

back a retort. Arguing was

to six. Dinner with the board members

and bios of

executives, all men

more details to

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

up from the bench. If I expected gentleness after Victoria's

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

from someone standing closer

a shallow cut on my forearm where I'd

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

outfit laid out by my new personal stylist, a navy blue

a car. My reflection looked

Exactly as Victoria intended.

Since becoming Victoria's adopted daughter, I hadn't driven myself anywhere. Hadn't cooked a

aspect of my existence was managed,

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