SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 29

CAMILLE'S POINT OF VIEW

The engagement party filled the screen before me, bright lights and beautiful people swirling in celebration. I sat motionless in Victoria's guest suite, hands folded in my lap breathing measured despite the storm Joy for them. Torture for me.

The Rodriguez family estate had been transformed into a fairytale setting, white roses everywhere, crystal chandeliers hanging from pavilions, string quartet playing softly. Two hundred guests in designer forma And at the center of it all, Rose and Stefan. My sister and my ex-husband.

"The engagement of the year," the entertainment reporter gushed. "Stefan Rodriguez, heir to the Rodriguez shipping fortune, and renowned fashion designer Rose Lewis have finally made their relationship offic respectful period following the tragic death of Stefan's first wife-

Rose's sister Camille."

A "respectful period." Nine months. That's all it took for my existence to become a footnote in their love story.

The camera cut to my mother, diamonds glittering at her throat. "Of course we're thrilled," she said, voice slightly too bright. "Rose and Stefan have always had a special connection. While we continue to mourn

Would I? Would I want them to find

happiness together? To build their life on the foundation of my destruction?

A tear slid down my cheek before I could stop it. I wiped it away quickly, angry at this weakness. Eleven months of transformation. Eleven months of becoming someone new. Someone stronger.

chair, her attention fixing on

the broadcast," Victoria said,

to see it," I replied, steadier than expected. "To understand what

dried tears, not

"That I've been

softly. "I've been preparing to take back

that life was never worth fighting for. Stefan never loved me, not really. My parents never saw me, not clearly. Rose ne considered me her sister, only an

forgotten daughter and discarded wife. But Camille Kane, heir

they are. To make

truth

My words emerged with quiet certainty. “T Victoria moved to the desk, opening folders, dossiers on Rose's fashion business, Stefan's role in his family company, my parents' social connections. Eleven months of intelligence gathering, creating

with a frontal assault, but with precision strikes they won't recognize as attacks

interference with Rod Not

I asked, a strange calm settling over

week's end, the business world will be discussing Camille Kane, not Rose Lewis and Stefan Ro Victoria poured two glasses of scotch. "And next week, we close on Bertolucci Textiles. The first domino

reached for it. She aimed directly at the

to begin?" Victoria asked

awakening in

she corrected. "Burning is chaotic, emotional, easily traced. What we're about to do is surgical.