SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 71

The elevator climbed toward the penthouse of Pierce Tower, each floor ticking by on the digital display as my stomach tightened with a mix of anger and nervous anticipation. I wore a simple black dress, nothing

revenge.

When the doors opened, I stepped into a space unlike anything I'd expected. Not

the

cold, modernist showcase typical of billionaire penthouses, but a warm, wood- paneled sanctuary with floor-to-

ceiling bookshelves and comfortable leather furniture. Classical music played softly in the background. The wall of windows offered a breathtaking view of Manhattan at sunset, the city transformed into gold and shadow.

Alexander stood by a small bar cart, his back to me. He'd removed his suit jacket and rolled

up his shirtsleeves, looking more approachable than I'd ever seen him.

"Scotch? Wine? Something else?" he asked without turning

"Answers," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt.

He turned then, a slight smile on his face that didn't

quite reach his eyes. "Straight to business. One of the many things I admire about you."

I tossed the folder onto his coffee table. Papers spilled out, financial records, surveillance reports, market manipulation evidence, all documenting his shadow campaign against Rose and Stefan. "Explain this," I demanded, remaining standing even as he gestured toward a seat. "Explain why you've been secretly helping destroy Rose and Stefan for the past year without telling me." Alexander studied me for a long moment, then moved to a bookshelf and pulled out a small wooden box. "Perhaps we should start at the beginning."

He placed the box on the table between us and finally, I sat down across from him. He opened it carefully, removing what looked like a hospital ID bracelet, faded and worn. "Boston Memorial Hospital. Five years ago." He set the bracelet gently on that changed everything."

What

top of the red papers. "The night

s have to do with Rose and

I stared at the plastic band, confusion replacing some of my anger. does Stefan?”

leaving my face. "Five years ago, I was in a car accident on the Massachusetts Turnpike. Multiple vehicles. Three fatalities. I was trapped in the wreckag A chill ran through me as fragments of memory stirred, a rainy night, flashing emergency lights, a medical conference in Boston I'd attended alone because my parents was too busy with work and perfect Rose. "I was bleeding internally," Alexander continued. "The doctors later said I had minutes left, at most. Until someone insisted they check the less damaged vehicles. Someone who refused to leave until every pers My breath

was me. And you were the one who found me. Who rode in the ambulance.

Chapter 71

out while waiting

extra days," I whispered, the past rushing back. "I visited your room. Read

Mrs Graves," Alexander said softly. "You said

had a case number. And

And a note." Alexander reached into the box

are, I hope you heal completely. Someone is thinking of you, even if you're alone right

throat tightened at the sight of my own handwriting from years ago. "I don't understand. If that was you, why

"After I recovered, I tried to find you. All I

He turned back to

tender and pained. "I came

woman who'd saved my life. But when

I finished for him,

bitterness, only a gentle resignation. "It didn't seem right to intrud "So you left?" The thought of how different things might have been made my heart

But I kept track of you from a distance. Just... checking occasionally to make sure the woman who'd shown such kindness to a stranger was happy." His voice dropped lower. "Until I

news broke about your accident. Your car going off tha He

aspect of that night. But then, A week later,

up.

you possibly

resources that most people can't imagine," Alexander said simply. "My security

pictures i was relieved that

"You knew? Before Victoria ever presented

nodded. "I knew Victoria had found you. Saved you. Was helping you recover and transform. But I didn't know why, or what you planned to do with your

to process what he was telling me, "you've known exactly who I was. Even through

"And

fifteen months." Anger

new life, plan my revenge, and

Alexander asked quietly.

and a new purpose, it was clear you'd chosen a specific path. It

you did interfere," I said, gesturing to the evidence on the table. "Until you started manipulating events behind the scenes, helping

you, Camille. Watched helplessly as y The raw sincerity in his voice made it impossible to maintain my anger. He had helped advance my revenge without seeking credit. Had used his considerable resources to ensure Rose and Stefan's destruction without revealing his involvement until I discovered it

now?" I asked. "Why let me