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

coolly. "Not the

moved closer, stopping when she held up a hand. "Please, Camille. I just want to talk. I've been going crazy since the gala. I

here?"

Chapter 76

“I

leaving it slightly disheveled in a way that once

my face for months? How you were

and stupid and selfish. Rose... she manipulated me,

weren't drugged. You looked me in the eye and

himself, sinking into the chair. "You're right.

you are, seeking forgiveness." Camille finally sat down, keeping her desk between them like

"A second chance. Camille, I never stopped loving you. Even with Rose, even after I thought you were gone... there was always something

marriage like none of this ever oc "Not right away, of course," Stefan rushed to say. "I know it would take time, years maybe. But we could start over.

understand

to take her hand, but she moved it away. "Camille, please. The company, the money, none 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

happy moments. Not the trips or the gifts or the fancy dinners. I remember sitting alone on our anniversary, waiting I remember

admitted, his voice

reputation is in tatters. Rose has shown her true colors.

of this had happened, if I hadn't 'died,' if your business was

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

silence was

love me, Stefan. You never did. Not really. You loved the

uncomfortable. That woman

She died the night

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,

insisted. "I may not have hired those men, but I created the situation that led to it.

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

sorry," she said finally. "And I meant what I said at

sake, but for mine. I refuse to carry the weight of hating you anymore." Hope flickered

same as forgetting," she continued. "And it certainly doesn't mean a second chance. There are some things that, once broken, can never be fixed."

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