SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 141

Chapter 141

Victoria Kane stared at the medical report on her desk, the words blurring as her eyes filled with unwanted tears. The cancer had spread faster than expected. Six months, maybe less, was all the time she had

Her own reflection stared back at her, thinner now, her face pale and drawn from thetreatments that weren't working. The doctor had suggested stopping them, focusing instead on comfort measures. "Quality of needed time. Time to secure Camille's future. Time to make sure her daughter by choice would be protected when Victoria was gone.

Her assistant's voice came through the intercom. "Mrs. Lewis has arrived."

Victoria straightened her jacket, checked her reflection once more, and squared her shoulders. No one, not even Margaret Lewis, would see her weakness today.

"Send her in."

Margaret Lewis stepped into the office, hesitating just inside the doorway. The mother of the daughter Victoria had claimed as her own. Once, Victoria had hated this woman for her blindness, for choosing Rose "Thank you for coming," Victoria said, gesturing to the chair across from her desk.

Margaret sat, her hands fidgeting with her purse.

"Your message said it was about Camille."

"Yes." Victoria lowered herself into her chair, fighting not to show how much the simple movement pained her. "I need to speak with you about Camille's future."

“Her future?” Margaret's eyebrows rose. "I thought that was firmly in your hands."

"For now." Victoria pushed a small button on

her desk, and the office windows darkened, giving them complete privacy." But my time is limited."

"What do you mean?"

Victoria rarely showed her cards to anyone, but death had

a way of changing the rules. "I'm dying, Mrs. Lewis. Cancer. It's spread to my liver and bones."

Margaret's shock showed plainly on her face. "Does Camille know?"

"No." Victoria shook her head. "She thinks the surgery was successful. That I'm recovering."

"Why lie to her?"

"To protect her. She has enough to deal with right now. Rose is still out there, still dangerous." Victoria leaned forward. ". And Camille would put everything aside

to care for me if she knew the truth. Her work. Her relationship with Pierce. Her own healing. I can't allow that."

Margaret studied Victoria's face. "So why tell me? We've hardly been allies."

"Because I'm running out of time to secure what matters." Victoria's voice hardened. "And despite everything, you're still Camille's mother. She may need you when I'm gone."

The words seemed to hit Margaret like a physical blow. "You've been more of a mother to her this past year than I was for decades."

"That's not entirely true." Victoria's voice softened. "You raised her to be kind. To be strong in ways I never understood until

gave her eighteen good years

filled Margaret's eyes. "And then I

wrong. Repeatedly. But now you have a chance to

in the business of forgiveness. I'm here to make sure Camille is protected when

straightened in her chair.

will see

her own tendency to see the best in people who don't deserve it." Victoria coughed, a harsh sound that left her breathless for a moment. When she continued, her voice was rougher. "I

course I will." Margaret sounded offended by the

Chapter 141

when Rose manipulated her. When Stefan betrayed her.

you chose not to believe her." Victoria's eyes were

away. "I've

a convincing story, would you welcome her back? Would you urge

question hung between them. Margaret's hands trembled slightly as

them in her lap.

she said finally,

Rose tried to have my daughtered. No mother could forgive

her face, looking for deception. Finding none, she nodded

she does, Camille will need people who see clearly. Who

won't be fooled," Margaret promised. "Neither will Richard. We've read the journals.

who

body. She closed her eyes briefly, waiting for it to pass. When she opened them, Margaret was watching her with concern. "You need medical attention," Margaret

sharp. "I've

be done." She took a shaky breath. "Which is why this conversation is so important. I've

But

need family. Real

there for her," Margaret said softly. "We've been trying to rebuild our

for slow," Victoria cut her off. "I need your promise now. That you'll support Camille

"I promise. I should have made that choice

Victoria nodded, some of

her body. "And Pierce? What do

clearly loves her," Margaret said. "And she loves

are." Victoria agreed.

expected. He's been good for her." She paused. "I've

"Others?"

Victoria smiled

focuses the mind wonderfully, Mrs. Lewis. I've spent decades building a fortress of grudges and vendettas. Now I find

seem like your style,"

at her desk, at the medical report she'd

"Like who?"

the question. "Like you.

shook her head. "No. We lost her

blindness. You

wave of pain. "But I also wanted to punish

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