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-

hair 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

from the doorway. Victoria stood there in her impeccable business suit,

in a

grass with a hint of

I'd learned not to

especially not

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

reactions remain inadequate."

before," I muttered, gulping the vile smoothie. "Three weeks ago, my biggest physical challenge was yoga twice

"And how did this serve you when Rose took everything? discarded you? When those men attacked you in the

When

of fists connecting with my ribs sent phantom pain

world doesn't care about fair. It respects

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

Victoria cut me off. "Your Stanford and Harvard credentials have been verified by

in Swiss boarding schools explains your absence from American social circles. The timing is

training knives. Victoria nodded to him and turned back to

Your French remains embarrassingly rudimentary

back a retort. Arguing

to six. Dinner with the board members at

screen showed faces and bios of

all men

to absorb into my already overloaded

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

bench. If I expected

the movies," he said, demonstrating a slashing

standing closer than you

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

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

by my new personal stylist, a navy

a car. My reflection

Exactly as Victoria intended.

expression. Since becoming Victoria's adopted daughter,

my existence was managed,

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255