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?”

"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 caught. "That was

nodded, something soft and vulnerable crossing his face. "That was me. And you were the one who found me. Who rode in the ambulance. Who gave her information as emergency contact when no family came

Chapter 71

while waiting for news

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

WIFE: Love Me Again Mrs Graves," Alexander said softly. "You said it was your favorite and the Author

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

a note." Alexander reached into the

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

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

to the window, gazing out at the darkening city. "After I recovered, I tried to find you. All I had was a name, Camille Lewis, and the knowledge that you'd

He turned back to

both tender and pained. "I came to New York, intent on

woman who'd saved my life. But when I

I finished

Living what seemed to be a perfect life with a successful husband and budding design career." Alexander's smile held no bitterness, only a gentle resignation.

make sure the woman who'd shown such kindness to a stranger was happy."

Alexander nodded, regret clear in his eyes. "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 to the sofa, sitting

aspect of that night. But then, A week later, I discovered something unexpected. You

up. "What

could you

can't imagine," Alexander said simply. "My security team tracked you and Victoria leaving

seeing the pictures i was

through me. "You knew? Before Victoria ever presented me as her daughter? Before

Saved you. Was helping you recover and transform. But I didn't know

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

"And

For fifteen months." Anger briefly flared

plan

have said?" Alexander asked quietly. "When

her daughter, when you emerged with a new face and a new purpose, it was clear

"Until you started manipulating events behind the scenes, helping destroy Rose and Stefan

succeeded." He leaned forward, his eyes intent on mine. "I saw what they did to you, Camille. Watched helplessly as y The raw sincerity in his voice made it impossible to

come forward now?" I asked. "Why let me discover