SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

ROSE'S POINT OF VIEW

"You've been distant lately," I said, stirring my coffee with

practiced precision. Three clockwise turns, no more, no less. Morning sunlight streamed through the windows of Stefan's penthouse, our penthouse now, though I maintained my own apartment for appearance' Eight months since Camille's "death." Eight months of nurturing

Stefan through grief, providing just enough comfort to keep

him dependent without allowing him to fully heal. A delicate balance, but one I'd mastered through years of subtle manipulation.

Stefan looked

from his newspaper, dark circles beneath his eyes betraying another sleepless night. "Have I? Sorry. Work's been demanding."

Alle. His family company practically ran itself, generations of wealth ensuring he needed to do little more thah show up for board meetings and sign occasional papers, No, what kept him awake wasn't work but

"I worry about you," I reached across the table, taking his hand in mine. "You're still punishing yourself over things you can't change."

He flinched slightly at the gentle accusation, eyes darting away from mine. "It's not that simple, Rose."

"Isn't it? Camille is gone." I softened my voice, the perfect blend of compassion and practicality. "She wouldn't want you torturing yourself like this."

Stefan pulled his hand back, jaw tightening. "You don't know what she would want."

Actually, I did. My pathetic sister had wanted precisely what

I'd taken from her, Stefan, our parents' approval, social standing, success. But pointing that out wouldn't serve my current purpose.

hint of hurt to enter my voice. "I

the slightest wound, and he'd bend over

The that said I would wait forever for him to heal, to be whole again. The smile that was the biggest lie o "I have an idea," I said, brightening as if the thought had just occurred to me. In reality, I'd planned this conversation for weeks, waiting for the perfect morning to execute it. "Let's get away this weekend. The Ha Stefan hesitated, and I could read his thoughts as

that charity thing Saturday,"

kept my tone light, but with a firmness that suggested

children witis

perfectly. His face flushed with shame at the implied

his phone.

wall of guilt that had kept him

I'll pack for both of us." I stood, dropping a kiss on his forehead. "I have meetings all day, but I'll

calculated move. Stefan hated the quarterly reports his father insisted he complete personally. By offering help, I reminded him of my value beyond the emotional. I

The

from him: Ring is ready

confirmed my success. He was feeling playful, romantic even.

*No spoilers please! So excited for our weekend

enough girlish anticipation to flatter him, not enough to

sprawling beachfront property where we'd spent time together years ago,

morning (Stefan's favorite activity, one Camille had always

would bring a carefully curated brunch followed by a walk on the beach where, if all

appreciatively as we entered the great room with its "They've outdone themselves," he remarked, setting down

"Your family always maintains impeccable standards. One

afternoon passed in comfortable luxury, champagne on the deck, a walk along the private beach, preparations for the dinner I'd arranged. Stefan grew increasingly nervous as evening approached, checkin Dinner was served on the deck, ocean waves providing perfect background music, sunset painting

strolled hand-in-hand down the wooden steps to the beach,

behind, waves lapping gently at our feet. The full moon created a

at precisely the spot I'd anticipated,

my

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