SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Camille's point of view

The private investigation office smelled of coffee and secrets. I sat across from Martin Wells, retired NYPD detective turned high-

end investigator, watching him spreid photos across his desk like playing cards.

"Four affairs during her time in London," he said, tapping grainy Image of Rose entering a hotel with a man who wasn't Stefan. "Two with married executives. One with a British lord. One with her fashion mentor

Something cold settled in my stomach as I picked up the photo, Rose, laughing, hand tucked possessively into the arm of a silver-

haired man twenty years her senior. The timestamp showed a date just three weeks after I'd married Stefan

"You're certain these are authentic?" I kept my voice steady, professional. Victoria had taught me never to show emotion

during business dealings, even when the business was revenge.

Wells nodded, sliding more photos toward me. “Verified by three different sources. Ms Lewis was... busy during her fashion apprenticeship.”

And these men? They'll confirm the relationships if approached?"

"Two already have." Wells handed me a flash drive. "Recorded statements. Nothing explicitly naming her, but enough detail to make identification obvious. The British lord refused comment, but his ex- wife was quite forthcoming about why their marriage ended."

I studied another photo, Rose leaving a London apartment at dawn, still wearing evening clothes from the night before. The man in the doorway behind her was recognizable as Jonathan Hayes, whose wife ha "Mrs. Hayes fired her a week after this was taken," Wells commented. "Publicly claimed it was due to 'creative differences.' Privately told friends it was for sleeping with her husband."

The revelation shouldn't have surprised me. Rose had always taken what she wanted, regardless of who got hurt. Yet seeing actual evidence of her betrayals while I had remained loyal to Stefan sent a wave of

Wells

grimaced. "Harder to prove, but multiple sources confirm Rose borrowed' design

concepts from other. apprentices. Three designs she claimed as her own match sketches that mysteriously disappeared from colleagues.

workstations."

others' work, others' relationships, others' chances. Only now did I see how systematic it had been. "And her time

in Monaco," He slid across several photos that made my breath catch. Rose, barely recognizable with platinum blonde hair, hanging on the arm of an older man whose face had been splashed

Chapter 44

stared at my sister's face in the photo. The

careful positioning to ensure

"How long?"

months. She lived on his yacht. Traveled with him to seven countries. Then disappeared from his life just as

shopping at exclusive boutiques. The timestamp indicated just

I asked,

during the Bessonov period. Moved through three different shell companies before landing in her main account. Classic laundering pattern.” I sat back, letting this new information settle. Rose, my perfect, polished sister, had been a kept woman for a suspected criminal. Had potentially helped launder money, Had certainly been unfaithful to Stefan be "We've compiled everything into a comprehensive dossier, Wells handed me a thick envelope. "Photos, statements, financial records, timeline. Everything, verified by multiple

the envelope that held my sister's

be transferred today. Thank you

Kane." Wells hesitated as

to leave. "Forgive me for asking, but why dig into

my "death," certainly destroyed my life Instead, I gave him the practiced smile I'd perfected over the past year. "Due diligence, Mr. Wells. We investigate all potential business

car, I finally allowed myself to process what I'd learned. The envelope sat heavy on my lap, filled with evidence of Rose's true nature. All those years I'd believed

why people chose her, preferred her,

Rose hadn't been better, she'd simply been willing to do things I never would. Lie. Cheat. Steal. Betray. Sleep

Victoria checking on my

message was typically

More than expected. I replied, fingers hovering over the keys

begins tomorrow. Release the first photo

stared at the message, something uncomfortable stirring beneath my satisfaction. This was what I wanted,

me wondered what it said about me that I was now using the same tactics

I becoming just like her in

light, and I caught my reflection in the window. The face looking back was still strange to me sometimes, sharper cheekbones, more defined jawline, eyes harder than they'd once

photos across my lap. Rose's secret life. Rose's hidden scandals. Rose's true natu By this time tomorrow, the

crack. The world would start to

have felt only satisfaction. Instead, a strange mix of emotions churned inside me, vindication, yes, but also sadness for the sister I'd