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.

the room. Camille's ghost hovered between

with Camille," Margaret finished

"That's not what

you ever

a moment, genuine emotion broke through,

you?

more than anyonel Larranged her memorial service. I established the foundation in

married to him? And who announced the relationship to the world after her

This wasn't

fair," she whispered, real tears replacing manufactured

"Enough.

collapsed into her father's arms. "I can't lose him too, Daddy. Sometimes I think

Don't say

the suggestion of suicide, implied

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

but inside, triumph bloomed.

just want to be

be Stefan's wife. To

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 company?

condition?" Margaret asked. "That he marry you is exchange

families would be part of the arrangement. A business marriage." Richard

"Do you truly love Stefan? Beyond his name, his

Had she ever loved anyone beyond what they could

she replied easily. "Why else would I fight

lingered "Make sure you're not confusing possession with love, dear. They're not the same

Outside in her

facade crumbled. She slammed her hands against the steering wheel, frustrated. Her

she muttered. "As long as Daddy talks

text: Not coming home tonight. Staying at

apartment," just "home." As if he

Rose. She was losing him, desplie everything she'd done, manipulating Camille's marriage, orchestrating opportunities

did not lose.

dialed Stefan repeatedly until he

it,

in the Seattle branch. Save what's left of the Rodriguez

A long silence followed.

what does your father want

gripped the phone tighter. "Just family loyalty. The

Another silence.

it.

saves my company, I marry

"It's not like that..."

cut through. "Tell me,

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