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.

before dinner?” Richard offered, gesturing to the uniformed server who had

for me," Victoria said. "I never mix alcohol with business,

smile tightened. "And what business might that be, Ms.

wellbeing of your daughter,"

seat on the brocade sofa, Victoria beside her, her parents opposite them. The physical arrangement underscored the new reality, Camille and Victoria as a unit, her paren "Have you heard from Rose?" Camille asked, the question escaping

the day after your

betraying her. When we refused to take her side, she said we

observed coolly, "considering what she tried

"We had no idea she had arranged

not to see many things

not to

tell you about her husband's betrayal with

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

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her. Because admitting the truth meant

across the coffee table, her

we can acknowledge it. And

stared at

childhood tears,

long moment, she placed her own hand briefly in her mother's

doorway. "Dinner

silver and crystal. A maid stood ready 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

with a wave. When the last one had left, closing the door behind them, he set down his

with unexpected force.

working," he said bluntly. "We're

looked alarmed.

wrong. Not just about Rose and Stefan, but about everything. About who you were, what you needed from

have done, stood by

believed in you, helped you become the remarkable woman you now

slightly, accepting

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 had wanted for so long, acknowledgment, apology, the possibility of healing. Yet now that it was offered, she found herself

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

happened. Another part isn't ready to

don't decide now," Victoria said, surprising everyone. "Healing doesn't happen in a single dinner. It takes

"That's fair.

entered with barely a sound.

instructed, though tension showed

the dining room moments later,

across his face