SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 106

Chapter 106

Water closed over Camille's head. Cold. So cold it burned

her skin. She kicked toward the surface, arms flailing, lungs

screaming for air. But something held her

down, hands gripping her ankles, dragging her deeper into the darkness.

She looked down. Rose stared back at her, grinning, her hair floating around her

face like seaweed. Beside her, Herod Preston, his

eyes flat and lifeless as a shark's. They pulled

harder. The pressure in Camille's chest built to unbearable levels.

She opened her mouth to scream, but only bubbles escaped as water rushed in..

Camille jolted upright in bed, gasping. Her

nightgown stuck to her skin, soaked with sweat. For a moment, she couldn't remember where she was. Then the familiar outlines of her bedroom at the Kane mansion took shape in the darkness.

Just a dream. The same dream that had haunted her for months after Rose's betrayal. The one Victoria's training had eventually banished.

Until now.

Camille switched on the bedside lamp, chasing away the shadows. The digital

clock read 3:17 AM. She pushed back the tangled sheets and

moved to the window, pressing her forehead against the cool glass. Below, the estate's gardens

stretched out, security lights casting strange patterns across the manicured lawns. Beyond the gates, Manhattan glittered in the distance.

This was the third night in a row the nightmare had returned. Each time more

vivid. Each time harder to shake off.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Alexander's text: *Awake?*

How did he always know? Camille typed back: *Bad dream again.*

Three dots appeared immediately. *Coming over. Kitchen. Hot chocolate.*

A small smile touched her lips

despite the lingering dread from the nightmare. Alexander

had developed an almost supernatural sense for when she couldn't sleep. Since their visit to his childhood home, since

that first real kiss their connection had deepened into something that sometimes

frightened her with its intensity.

Camille pulled on a silk robe and padded barefoot down the mansion's

grand staircase. The

house was silent except for the occasional creak of settling wood and the

soft footsteps of security guards patrolling outside.

In the kitchen, she switched on a single light and filled the kettle. Alexander would

arrive in exactly twelve minutes. He always did, no matter

what time she texted. One of the many mysteries about him she

hadn't solved yet.

As she reached for mugs in the cabinet, a movement in the garden caught her eye.

1/6

Chapter 106

Camille froze, staring out the window. Nothing but shifting shadows from the trees.

Yet something felt... wrong. The hairs on her arms stood up.

She moved away from

the window, suddenly aware of how exposed she was in the

lit kitchen. Victoria's training kicked in automatically. Assess the threat. Minimize vulnerability. Create advantage.

The kettle began to whistle. Camille switched it off and backed toward the pantry.

as her fingers found the light switch, the kitchen door swung open.

Just

"Security sweep is clear."

Camille

stood in the doorway, his expression shifting from alert to concerned when he saw

to

the garden. Just

didn't look convinced.

the window, scanning the grounds with practiced eyes. "Security has been doubled since yesterday.

preparation of hot chocolate.

joined her at the

something. She

Grid corrections

what?" The nightmare's lingering dread intensified.

mug she

been buying Kane

shell companies. Just over

stilled. "A

"Unlikely

I recently purchased ten percent myself." Alexander held her gaze. “But it suggests Herod's plans extend

the Grid."

suddenly felt too small,

around her mug,

the same day Victoria discovered this," she

about it, but somehow I...

as superstition, as most

your conscious mind misses. Victoria's been tenser.

moved to the breakfast nook, sitting across

Outside, the night pressed against the

26

Chapter 106

me about the nightmare,"

stared into her mug. "I'm drowning.

is with her." She

from before. There's this

of time."

Alexander

the table, taking her hand. The contact

should know," he said.

team found another layer of

sophisticated than

installed by someone

"Who?"

Martin Greene. Her head

like a physical blow. Martin Greene, the

had

Who had helped train Camille when she

detail of

she whispered. "He's been with

apparent loyalty. Which makes the

her mug away, no longer interested in

Greene is working with

we have a serious security breach. He knows

She paused, a

"Even details about me.

darkened. "Victoria

with Herod or Rose,

late." Camille stood, suddenly unable to sit

to move more aggressively. Find

wants to wait. Use Greene to lead us

wait, they're planning something

paced the kitchen, her nightmare's urgency transferring

sabotage. The stock purchases.

connected, but we're missing the

at the

garden lights cast long

shapes that seemed to shift and move with a life of

if there's another layerwe haven't uncovered yet?" she asked softly.

discovered so far

joined her at the window. "What

Camille

careful. Methodical. Her

316

Chapter 106

my family took years of patient planning.

head. "Victoria says he's been

that don't

"Victoria's releasing false information

"A press release about a major

to make Herod react."

nodded. "Smart. But I'm not sure it's

the refrigerator, pulling out milk

chocolate. As she stirred the milk in a pan, her mind raced through

purchases," she said

against the counter beside her.

ago, according to Victoria's

with Herod," Camille noted.

"Yes. Which suggests...."

find Herod," Camille finished. "Herod found Rose.

because of her

as he followed her logic.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255