SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Rose paced her parents' living room, each step calculated to display distress. Tears streaked her makeup, deliberately mined before her arrival. The afternoon sum highlighted her red eyes and trembling hands

"I don't know what else to do," she sobbed. "Stefan barely talks to me. He sleeps at his family home every night."

Margaret Lewis watched with exhaustion. The past weeks bad stripped years from her face, first Camille's death, now Rose's relationship troubles,

"Maybe he just needs time," Margaret suggested wealdy, The Rodriguez company's collapse is a terrible shock."

"Time?" Rose's voice

cracked perfectly. "He talks about canceling the wedding, Mom! Everything we've

planned!"

Richard Lewis sat with newspaper forgotten, expression guarded. Since the scandal photos emerged, he'd grown quieter around Rose.

"Stefan's lost everything," he said finally. "His company, his estate, his reputation. Perhaps a wedding isn't his priority."

Rose knelt before her father, grabbing his hands-

a rehearsed move that looked spontaneous.

"Daddy, please, I can't lose him. Not after Camille." She pressed her face against his hands. "I can't bear another loss."

Richard stiffened at the mention of Camille, but his fingers curled around Rose's hands.

"What do you expect us to do? Kane Industries bought their debt. The Rodriguez company is finished."

Rose looked up hopefully. "You could invest enough to save the Seattle branch. That's all Stefan needs, just enough to keep that plece alive." Margaret gasped. "Richard, you can't possibly..."

"It would take millions," Richard interrupted, though he didn't immediately refuse. "Eor what? A struggling shipping

route that's barely profitable?"

"For family, Daddy, Stefan would be family once we're married. Rodriguez and Lewis, joined through us."

She watched her father calculating behind his eyes.

"Even if I wanted to help, Stefan doesn't seem eager to marry you. Why would I invest without guarantee?"

Rose's heart beat faster. This was her opening "Make it a condition. Help save the Seattle branch if Stefan agrees to the wedding. This fall, as planned." Margaret stood. "Outrageous! You can't buy yourself a husband, Rose!"

"It's not buying," Rose protested. "It's saving what matters to both of us. Our future. The company his grandfather built."

"And when he resents you for forcing his hand this way?"

Rose turned, real anger flashing. "Forcing? He loves me! He's always loved me, even when he was with..." She stopped abruptly.

Camille's ghost hovered between

Margaret finished

away. "That's not what

ever truly mourned

a moment, genuine emotion broke through, not grief, at fury at

you? I

anyonel Larranged her memorial service. I established the foundation in her name.

she was still married to him? And who announced the relationship to the world

stepped back as if slapped. This wasn't how

real tears replacing manufactured ones. "We found comfort in

"Enough.

"I can't lose him too, Daddy.

"Rose! Don't

was her ultimate manipulation, the suggestion of suicide,

something out," Richard soothed, stroking her hair. "No one's

but inside, triumph bloomed. Her

just want to

"To be Stefan's wife.

her sobs subside, then looked up with swollen eyes "Will you talk to Stefan? Tell him Lewis Industries can help save what's left of his

the condition?" Margaret asked. "That he marry you

crudely. Just understanding that joining our families would be part of the arrangement. A business marriage." Richard nodded. "I'll

leave, her mother touched her arm. "Do you truly love Stefan? Beyond

off guard. Did she love Stefan? Had she ever loved anyone beyond what they could do

I do," she replied easily.

possession with love, dear. They're not

Outside in her

facade crumbled. She slammed her hands against the steering wheel, frustrated. Her mother's questions had

"As long as Daddy talks to

text: Not coming home

home" or "the apartment," just "home." As if he was already planning

him, desplie everything she'd done, manipulating Camille's marriage, orchestrating opportunities to comfort him

did not

dialed Stefan repeatedly until

is it,

in

A long silence followed.

does your father

phone tighter. "Just family loyalty. The

Another silence.

that's it. A

father saves my company,

"It's not like that..."

through. "Tell

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