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

there in her impeccable business suit, looking as though she'd been awake for hours.

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

grass with a hint

I'd learned not to complain. Victoria didn't

not from her

through messages on her phone.

reactions remain inadequate."

before," I muttered, gulping the vile smoothie. "Three weeks ago, my biggest

from her screen. "And how did this serve you when Rose

When

memory of fists connecting with my ribs

about fair. It respects

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

"Your Stanford and Harvard credentials have been

from American social circles. The timing is perfect, mysterious

knives. Victoria nodded to

Your French remains embarrassingly rudimentary for someone supposedly educated

bit back a retort. Arguing

to six. Dinner with the board members at seven." She handed me a tablet. "Their profiles. Memorize before

faces and bios of twelve

all

names, more details to

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

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

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

standing closer than

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

the tiles in the massive rainfall 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

outfit laid out by my new personal stylist, a navy blue Chanel suit, cream silk

reflection

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, made a bed, or

Every aspect of my existence was managed, controlled,

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