SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 62

The charity auction for the Children's Medical Research Foundation had transformed the Westmore Hotel's grand ballroom into a glittering showcase of wealth. Crystal chandeliers cast golden light over Manhat Camille stood near the silent auction display, maintaining the practiced smile Victoria had taught her. Her midnight blue gown and Alexander's diamond necldace completed the image of Camille Kane, heiress to Inside, her nerves twisted like live wires. The event coordinator had just informed her that Richard and Margaret Lewis had arrived, her parents, though they had no idea their "dead" daughter stood in the same "Ms. Kane," Rebecca murmured, appearing at her side. "They've been seated at table twelve, directly across from the stage. Would you prefer to move your placement?"

Camille sipped champagne, buying seconds to compose herself. "No. Victoria would want me to remain as planned "

"Victoria would want you to avoid unnecessary risks," Rebecca countered.

"Perhaps. But Victoria isn't here."

Rebecca nodded. "I'll stay close, just in case."

As her assistant moved away, Camille allowed her gaze to drift across the room, finding her parents. The sight hit harder

than expected. Nineteen months since she'd last see them, the night she'd confronted Rose about Stefan. Her mother looked older, shadows beneath her eyes that makeup couldn't conceal Her father stood str backed as always, but new lines marked his face. Was it grief that had aged them? Or Rose's scandals?

A waiter passed with champagne. Camille exchanged her empty glass for a full one, steadying her trembling hands. She should move away. Should minimize the risk of direct interaction. Should protect the reve Instead, she drifted closer, drawn by something stronger than caution. Not love, that emotion had burned away months ago. Not forgiveness, that was beyond her now. Perhaps simply curiosity about what had I She hadn't counted on her mother's uncanny ability to sense when someone was watching. Before Camille could retreat, Margaret turned, eyes sweeping the crowd before settling directly on her. Their gazes lo No recognition showed in Margaret's face, only polite interest. But as Camille held her stare a heartbeat too long, something shifted in her mother's expression. A slight furrowing of her brow. A tilt of her head. T Camille turned away first, pulse racing. Too much risk. She moved toward a display of artwork, absorption in a landscape painting she barely saw.

pretending

"Beautiful brushwork," a voice observed beside her. "The artist captures light in a way that reminds me of Turner.

Camille's blood froze. Her mother's voice. So achingly faminar. She turned slowly, face composed in a mask of polite interest.

Chapter 12

"You have a good eye," she replied, amazed at how steady her voice remained.

Margaret Lewis stood closer than Camille had realized, elegant in a navy dress that brought out her blue eyes, eyes that had once looked at Camille with love, then disappointment, then grief. "Margaret Lewis," her mother introduced herself, extending a hand. "I don't believe we've met, though you look remarkably familiar "

Camille accepted the handshake, the brief contact sending lightning through her body.

"Camille Kane," she responded, the name strange on her tongue when speaking to someone who had once known her by another name entirely.

"Ah! I've seen your photos in the business journals. You've made quite an impression since your public debut."

Camille smiled, Victoria's coaching allowing her to maintain the conversation while emotional earthquakes shook her internal landscape. "I've had excellent guidance."

"Your mother is certainly a force of nature. My husband and I have admired her business acumen for years, though we've never had

the pleasure of working directly with Kane Industries."

The mention drew Camille's gaze past her mother's shoulder. Richard Lewis was watching them, expression unreadable from this distance.

"Perhaps that will change in the future," Camille said carefully. "Kane Industries is always seeking new partnerships."

Margaret tilted her head slightly, that puzzled look returning. "Forgive me for saying so, but you remind me of someone. I can't quite place who."

Danger. Victoria's voice echoed in her memory: "If anyone from your

or mentions similarity,

reckless part of her

been told I have one of those faces," Camille said lightly. "Familiar

Camille's features. "Something about your expressions. The way you tilt your

had changed her appearance, sharpened cheekbones, refined her nose, altered her

wife. "The Hendersons are looking for

eyes met Camille's briefly, recognition completely absent. The man who

homework, who had walked her down the aisle, looked at her as if she were a perfect

It cut deeply.

Lewis," he introduced himself with a quick handshake.

is Victoria Kane's daughter," Margaret explained, still studying Camille.

Your work with the TechVault acquisition was impressive. Quite a debut

shift to professional territory. "Though much of the credit belongs to the team

with smile

these days."

Kane had triggered her curiosity. Rebecca materialized at Camille's side. "Ms. Kane, Mr. Harington is asking about your bid on the Wyeth painting. He

י

turned to her parents with

calls. It was

ours," Richard replied automatically, already scanning the

a shock through Camille's system,

we'll have a chance to speak again,"

the Metropolitan Museum gala next month? I believe Kane Industries usually sponsors

but a deliberate attempt to establish another meeting. Another opportunity to solve the puzzle

she managed, withdrawing her arm. "Though my schedule stays

nodded, apparently satisfied. "Until next

walked away, she felt her mother's gaze following her. Rebecca kept pace beside her, murmuring low. "That was dangerous, Victoria would not have approved." "Victoria isn't here," Camille repeated, though her earlier confidence had faltered. "And sometimes

did you gain besides confirming they don't recognize

Not recognition, exactly.

to avoid further contact," Rebecca pointed out. "If she

interrupted. "The question is

her role flawlessly, bidding

additional fifty thousand dollars. Throughout it all, she

exit, Camille saw her mother pause, turning to scan the room one last time. Their eyes met briefly across the crowd. Margaret offered a small, puzzled smile before allowing her husband to guide her out. That smile, so familiar, so maternal despite the

Camille replied automatically. "Just

emotions she'd carefully contained. Seeing her parents up

as Camille Kane, wealthy and powerful. They hadn't recognized the daughter they'd sacrificed for Rose's happiness. Hadn't seen past the surgical alterations Instead, she felt hollow.

from Alexander: 1 heard

tonight. Are you okay?

know? How did he always sense exactly what was

the lie automatic. Then, surprising

response came immediately: "Sometimes the most painful wounds are the ones that don't bleed. I'm here if you need to

throat tight with emotions she'd thought safely buried. Her parents hadn't recognized her. Had spoken with her, and

hurt less than Stefan's destruction or Rose's betrayal. They were her parents, but they'd made their choice long ago, chosen the daughter who played