SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 124

Camille sat in the back of the town car, watching familiar

streets pass by outside the window. Each turn brought her closer to the mansion she had grown up in, the place she had once thought safe until Rose had shattered that illusion forever.

"You're sure about this?" Victoria asked from beside her.

Camille turned, still surprised that Victoria had insisted on accompanying her to dinner with her parents. She had announced her decision that morning, brooking no argument when Camille had tried to dissuade "I'm not sure about anything where my family is concerned," Camille admitted. "But my mother has called every week since the press conference. They've apologized multiple times. At some point, I have to at le Victoria's expression remained neutral, but her eyes held a protective wariness. "Apologies are easy. Changed behavior is what matters."

The car slowed as they approached the Lewis estate, an imposing limestone mansion set back from the street behind ornate iron gates. Lights glowed behind curtained windows, warm and inviting. Yet Camille' "They don't know you're coming," she reminded Victoria.

A small, almost mischievous smile curved Victoria's lips. "I know. Consider it a test of their sincerity."

The gates opened automatically, recognizing the car Camille had

registered with security. They rolled up the circular driveway, stopping at the front entrance where light spilled onto marble steps.

The butler, Harrison, opened the door before they

could ring the bell. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of Victoria but his professional training prevailed.

"Miss Camille," he greeted with a slight bow. "Ms. Kane. Please come in. Mr.

and Mrs. Lewis are in the drawing room."

They followed Harrison through the grand foyer with its sweeping staircase and crystal chandelier. Camille caught

sight of the family portrait above the fireplace, showing her at sixteen with her parents. Rose was noticeably absent, one of the few family images that hadn't included her adopted sister.

Harrison announced their arrival. "Miss Camille and Ms. Victoria Kane."

Her parents rose from their seats, faces showing the progression of joy at seeing Camille followed by stunned surprise at Victoria's presence.

"Victoria Kane," her mother said, recovering quickly. "What an unexpected pleasure."

"I hope I'm not imposing," Victoria replied smoothly. "Camille means a great deal to me. I wanted to meet the people who raised her."

The undercurrent in Victoria's words was unmistakable, she was here to

evaluate, to judge, to protect.

"Not imposing at all," Richard insisted, signaling to Harrison. "Please, both of you, make yourselves comfortable. Harrison, inform Mrs. Martha we'll have an additional guest for dinner."

The drawing

room looked exactly as Camille remembered, yet somehow smaller. The antique furniture, the grand piano where she had practiced for countless hours, the rare first editions her father collected, all unchanged, yet all different through her now-

experienced eyes.

Richard offered, gesturing to the uniformed server who

fine for me," Victoria said. "I never mix

tightened. "And what business might

of your daughter," Victoria replied

the new reality, Camille and Victoria as a unit, her paren "Have you heard from Rose?" Camille asked, the question

"Not since the day after your

her. When we refused to take

what she tried to do to

flinched visibly. "We had no idea she had arranged that attack.

"is that you chose not to see many things about your adopted daughter.

not to

the truth when Camille tried to tell you about her husband's betrayal

Victoria's words landed like physical blows.

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truth meant facing

across the coffee table, her

damage. But we can acknowledge it. And try to do better, if

stared at her

dried her childhood tears,

moment, she placed her own hand briefly in

doorway.

waited to serve the wine. Four places had been set, though Harrison was already signaling for a fifth setting maintained a regal posture beside her, more

Richard dismissed the servants with a wave. When the last one had left,

with unexpected force.

he said bluntly. "We're dancing around everything

looked alarmed.

turned to Camille, his eyes meeting hers directly. "We were wrong. Not just about Rose and Stefan, but about everything. About who you were, what you needed from us, the suppo He glanced at Victoria, something like grudging respect in his expression.

have done, stood by

you become

inclined her head slightly, accepting

disappeared," Richard continued, "when we thought you were dead, the grief nearly destroyed us. Not just grief for your loss, but for all the ways we had failed you while you were with us." Margaret reached for her husband's hand. "We don't expect forgiveness, Camille. We haven't earned it. But we want you to know that our door is always open to you. On

she admitted. "Part of me wants to forgive

pretend none of it happened. Another

everyone. "Healing doesn't happen in a single dinner. It takes time.. Consistent

nodded slowly. "That's fair.

sound. "Mr. Pierce

instructed, though tension showed in

entered the dining room

surprise flickered across his face at finding Victoria