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.

to the uniformed server who had

never mix alcohol with

"And what business

your daughter," Victoria replied

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

after your press conference with Alexander Pierce.

to take her side, she said we were dead

observed coolly, "considering what she tried to do

had no idea she had arranged that

to see many things about your adopted daughter. Just

not to

to tell you

blows. The server who had entered with drinks quietly

1/3

20.25 Inu, I may

< Chapter 124

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admitting the truth meant facing our

the coffee table, her hand

we can acknowledge it. And try to do

at

her childhood tears, that had later pushed

placed

doorway. "Dinner

by the ornate sideboard, another 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 observer than participant in the stilted small talk

main course, Richard dismissed the servants with a wave. When the last

with unexpected force.

bluntly. "We're dancing around

looked alarmed. "Richard,

about everything. About who you were, what you needed from us,

have done, stood by

you become

her head slightly, accepting the acknowledgment

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 whatever terms you set." Camille felt tears threatening and fought them back. This was what she

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

of it happened. Another part isn't ready to

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

slowly. "That's

sound. "Mr. Pierce

though

room

though surprise flickered across