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?”

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 caught. "That was you? In the black

and vulnerable crossing his face. "That was me. And you were the one who found me. Who rode in the ambulance.

Chapter 71

face bloody and unrecognizable. The hospital forms I'd filled out while waiting for news of his condition. The nurses telling

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

Alexander said softly. "You said it was your favorite and the

knew your name. The hospital just had a case number. And when I had to return to New York,

reached into the box again, removing a faded piece of hospital

hope you heal completely. Someone is thinking of you, even if

my own handwriting from years ago. "I

out at the darkening city. "After I recovered, I tried to find you.

He turned back to

pained. "I came to New York,

who'd saved my life.

was married," I finished for

husband and budding design career." Alexander's smile held no 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

to make sure the woman who'd shown such kindness to a stranger

"I was making arrangements to return to New York, to somehow warn you, when news broke about your accident. Your car going off tha He moved back

But then, A week later, I discovered

snapped up.

could you possibly

imagine," Alexander said simply. "My security team tracked you

seeing the pictures i was relieved that you

"You knew? Before Victoria ever presented me as her daughter? Before the surgeries

had found you. Saved you. Was helping you recover and transform. But I didn't know why, or what you planned

"you've known exactly who I was. Even through the surgical changes.

"And

said nothing. For fifteen months." Anger briefly flared

new life, plan

said?" Alexander asked quietly. "When

you emerged with a new face and a new purpose, it was clear you'd chosen a specific path. It wasn't my

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

eyes intent on mine. "I saw what they did to you, Camille. Watched helplessly as y The raw sincerity in his

I asked.