SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 76

Chapter 76

The lobby of Kane Industries gleamed with

polished marble and sleek glass. Camille stepped out of the elevator on the top floor, her heels clicking against the floor as she walked toward her office. Three days had passed since the Phoenix Gala, and her

Now the world knew who she really was. The media couldn't get enough of the story: the supposedly dead wife who had returned as a powerful executive, the systematic destruction of her ex- husband's company and her sister's reputation. Some painted her as a victim-

turned-

hero, others as a manipulative schemer. Camille didn't care which version they believed.

She pushed open the glass door to

her office and stopped short. A massive arrangement of white roses sat on her desk, their scent filling the room. A knot formed in her stomach. She knew who they were from before she even read the card. "Ms. Kane," her assistant Rebecca said from behind her, "I'm sorry. He sent them before I arrived this morning. Security checked them thoroughly."

Camille nodded, finding her voice. "It's fine, Rebecca. Could you please take them away? Donate them to the hospital across the street."

Rebecca quickly removed the flowers while Camille settled at her desk, turning her attention to the documents awaiting her signature. She had just begun reviewing the first contract when Rebecca's voice came "Ms. Kane, Stefan Rodriguez is in the lobby requesting to see you. Security wants to know if they should turn him away."

Camille's pen stilled above the paper. She had expected this, of course. It was only a matter of time before he would try to reach out. Still, her heart hammered uncomfortably against her ribs.

"Tell them to send him up," she said after a moment. "And Rebecca, please stay close by. If I need you, I'll call." "Of course, Ms. Kane."

Five minutes later, Stefan stood in her doorway. He looked awful, shadows beneath his eyes, his normally perfect suit slightly rumpled, his face drawn with exhaustion. There was a time when seeing him like this would have torn at her heart, when she would have done anything to comfort him.

Now she just felt... nothing.

"Come in and close the door," she said, gesturing to the chair across from her desk. She remained standing, unwilling to cede even that small advantage.

Stefan stepped inside, his eyes never leaving her face. "Camille," he breathed, his

voice cracking on her name. "I still can't believe it's really you."

00

"Not

been going crazy since the gala. I can't sleep, I can't eat...." "What do you want, Stefan?" Camille cut him off, her voice steady despite the storm inside her. "Why are

here?"

Chapter 76

“I

ran a hand through his hair, leaving it slightly disheveled in a way that once would

face for months? How you were willing to throw away our marriage for someone who never even truly cared about you?"

blind and stupid and

your choices. You weren't hypnotized. You weren't drugged. You looked me in the eye and lied to me for months. That

himself, sinking into the chair. "You're right. I'm not trying

seeking forgiveness." Camille finally sat down, keeping her

his eyes suddenly burning with intensity. "A second chance. Camille, I never stopped loving you. Even

escaped her throat. "Are you serious? You think after everything you've done, everything that's happened, we could just... what? Get back together? Resume our marriage like none of this ever oc "Not right away, of course," Stefan rushed to say. "I know it would take time, years

understand what I

of that matters. I'd give up everything just for the chance to make things righ Camille studied him, this man she had once loved beyond reason. She could see the desperation in his eyes, the genuine misery. There was a time when his pain would have been

you know what I remember most about our marriage, Stefan?" she asked quietly. "Not the happy moments. Not the trips or the gifts or the fancy dinners. I remember sitting alone on our anniversary, waiting I remember the way you would look

husband," Stefan admitted, his voice breaking. "But people change. I've

Your reputation is in tatters. Rose has shown her true colors. And suddenly, convéniently, you remember y Stefan flinched as if she'd slapped him. "That's

If none of this had happened, if I hadn't 'died,'

the woman you thought she was, would you be here right now, begging for a second

silence was

up, smoothing her skirt with steady hands. “Mou don't love me, Stefan. You never did. Not really. You loved the

That

She died the night I found your

wrong," Stefan said, standing too, his voice gaining strength. "Yes, I was blind and selfish then. But these past months without you... thinking you were dead... it changed me, Camille. And seeing you ag "Because of

the situation that

his eyes, real remorse, real pain. But it wasn't enough. It would never be

that you're sorry," she said finally. "And I meant what I said at the

mine. I refuse to carry the weight of hating you

she continued. "And it certainly doesn't mean a second chance. There are some things that, once broken, can

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