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

I met her. You gave her eighteen good years

eyes. "And then

false comfort. "Yes. You chose wrong. Repeatedly. But now you have a chance to

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

straightened in her chair.

opportunists who will see her

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

Margaret sounded offended by the question.

Chapter 141

manipulated

not to believe her." Victoria's eyes were cold. "Being your

but didn't look away.

"If Rose appeared tomorrow with tears and a convincing story, would

Margaret's hands trembled

them in her lap.

said finally, her voice firm.

tried to have my daughtered. No mother

her face, looking for deception.

Camille will need people who see clearly. Who won't be fooled by

be fooled," Margaret promised. "Neither will Richard. We've

who Rose

waiting for it to pass. When she opened them, Margaret was watching her with

sharp.

nothing more to be done." She took a shaky breath. "Which is why this conversation

provisions. But money and

enough. She'll need

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

her off. "I need your promise now. That you'll support Camille unconditionally. That you'll stand with her against Rose, against anyone who tries

"I promise. I should have made that choice

Victoria nodded, some of

"And Pierce? What do you think

Margaret said. "And she loves him.

Victoria agreed.

her." She paused. "I've

"Others?"

Victoria smiled

spent decades building a fortress of grudges and vendettas.

doesn't seem like

Resolution where necessary." She looked down at her desk, at the medical report she'd pushed aside. "I've

"Like who?"

the question. "Like you. I took

shook her head. "No. We lost

blindness. You

"But I also wanted to punish you. To show you

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