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.

drink before dinner?” Richard offered, gesturing to the uniformed

said. "I never mix

tightened. "And what business might that be,

wellbeing of your daughter,"

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

your press

When we refused to take her side, she said we were

coolly, "considering what

she had arranged

I believe," Victoria replied, "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

of Victoria's words landed like physical blows. The server who had entered with

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admitting the truth meant facing our

reached across the coffee table, her hand

Camille. "We cannot undo that damage. But we can acknowledge it. And try

at

her childhood tears, that had later pushed her away

long moment, she placed

the doorway.

set, though Harrison was

the last one had left, closing the door

with unexpected force.

he said bluntly. "We're dancing

alarmed.

honesty." He 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

have done, stood by

believed in you, helped you become the remarkable

her head slightly, accepting the

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 whatever terms you set." Camille felt tears threatening and fought

say," she admitted. "Part of me wants to forgive you

Another part isn't ready to

don't decide now," Victoria said, surprising everyone. "Healing doesn't happen in

nodded slowly. "That's fair. More than

with barely a sound. "Mr. Pierce has

him in," Richard instructed, though tension showed

dining room moments later,

across his face