SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 142

The morning news blared from the small TV in their latest hideout, a run-

down motel on the outskirts of the city. Herod sat on the edge of the bed, watching his own face flash across the screen. The reporter's voice filled the cramped room.

"Federal authorities have issued an arrest warrant

for Herod Preston, naming him as the primary suspect in the Phoenix Grid bombings. Officials cite overwhelming evidence found in Preston's apartmen including detailed plans and materials matching those use Rose emerged from the bathroom, her wet hair wrapped in a towel. "Turn that off, she snapped. "We already know what they're saying."

Herod didn't move. His eyes

remained fixed on the screen as the reporter continued.

"Sources close to the investigation reveal Preston had a long-

standing grudge against Victoria Kane, whose company developed the Phoenix Grid. If convicted, Preston faces terrorism charges that could carry multiple life sentences without possibility of parole."

Life in prison. The words echoed in Herod's mind. A lifetime behind bars for borbs that were

never meant to kill. A future destroyed for a plan that wasn't even his.

"I said turn it off!" Rose grabbed the remote and shut off the TV. "Why are you torturing yourself with this garbage?"

Herod looked at her,

really looked at her. The woman he thought he loved. The woman who had set him up to take the fall for everything.

"My father's old lawyer called," he said quietly.

Rose froze. "What? When?"

"This morning. While you were in the shower." Herod rubbed his hands over his face. "He saw the news. He talked about dishonoring my family's memory."

"You didn't tell him where we are, did you?" Rose's eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"No." Herod stood, walking to the grimy window to

look out at the parking lot. "He reminded me of what Charles would think. How disappointed he would be in what I've become."

Rose laughed, the sound harsh in the

small room. "Your brother killed himself because of Victoria Kane. He'd understand revenge better than anyone."

"No." Herod turned to face her. "We both

know that's not true. I told you what Charles was like when we first talked about working together. He was gentle. Kind. When Victoria destroyed our family business, he couldn't bear the shame, the failure. But "Then he was weak," Rose said coldly.

planted bombs. He wouldn't have risked innocent lives." Rose watched him with calculating eyes. "What's gotten into you? Yesterday

a moral crisis?"

Herod

would think. About how I've dishonored everything he stood for." "Your brother is dead," Rose said bluntly. "Your parents killed themselves rather than face reality. You're the only Preston left.

he asked quietly. "You only cared "We wanted the same thing," Rose insisted, sitting beside him. "Revenge against the Kanes. Justice for what they did to us.". "No," Herod shook his head. "You wanted Camille's life. Her identity. I was just usefu Something dark flashed in

I?" Herod stood again, unable to bear her cle Successfully unlocked! you. Listening to you. The way you talk about Camille isn't normal. It's obsessive. You don't just want to destroy her, you want to becom

makes sense now,"

her husband. Why you tried to take her parents. Why you hate that

never about hurting

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Chapter 142

face contorted with rage. "I

"After you destroy Camille completely? Will you try to take her place with Victoria too? Become the daughter

slapped him, the sound cracking through the room.

at this woman he thought he knew. "I know you set me up to take the fall for everything. I know you left evidence in my apartment. I know you made sure you had alibis

over, Herod said quietly. I was always

then we have nothing left to discuss," Rose said coldly, turning away

her pack, a strange calm settling over him. "The lawyer reminded me of something

look up. "I don't care what

"He said it's

been living with anger for so long. Blaming Victoria Kane for

us at the bus station in an hour. He'll get us new IDs,

stay, they'll catch you. You'll spend the rest of your life

I deserve." Herod pulled his arm away. "For the bombs. For working with you. For

jacket at him.

the jacket but didn't put it on. "Why did

to take all

expression hardened. "I

me the truth. Once. Was I ever anything to you besides a useful tool?" Something flickered in Rose's eyes, hesitation, perhaps, or calculation. Then her face softened, and she sat beside him, taking his

gentle. "You still are. I care about you, Herod. That's why I need you to come with me now. Before it's too late." The performance was flawless, the concerned lover, the devoted partner. If

hand tightened

stood. "I'm done running, Rose. I'm done

her face. "If you turn yourself in,

tell them

Herod asked. "That I'll tell them the truth? That the bombings were your idea?

"You're the one with the grudge against Victoria Kane. You're the one with the fingerprints at the bomb sites. You're the one with

"What mistake?" Rose demanded.

journals, the blueprints, it was too much. Too perfect. It looks

paled slightly. "You're

I?" Herod

recorder. "I've been recording our conversations, Rose. For days now. Ever since I suspected

the recorder, but Herod held it out of reach. "It's too late. I've