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

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

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

was awful-like liquified grass with

to complain.

not

she said, scrolling through

reactions remain inadequate."

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

when Rose took everything? discarded you? When

When

with my ribs

Victoria said, noting my reaction. "The world doesn't care about fair. It respects only

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 credentials have

Your childhood in Swiss boarding schools explains your absence from American social circles. The timing is perfect, mysterious heiress emerges just as public

a collection of wooden training knives. Victoria nodded

French remains embarrassingly rudimentary for someone supposedly

back a retort.

six. Dinner with the board members at seven." She handed me a tablet.

and bios

executives, all men

details to

turning toward the door. "Jason, focus on knife defense today. The weakness in her left side leaves her

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 crushed

movies," he said, demonstrating a slashing

standing closer than

shallow cut on my forearm where

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

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

My reflection looked

Exactly as Victoria intended.

Victoria's adopted daughter, I hadn't driven myself anywhere. Hadn't cooked a meal, made a bed, or

aspect of my existence was

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