SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 142

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.

"He was better than me. Better than both of us." His voice shook with emotion. "He wouldn't have planted bombs. He wouldn't have risked innocent lives." Rose watched him with

a moral crisis?"

Herod

he stood for." "Your brother is dead," Rose said bluntly. "Your parents

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

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,

makes sense now,"

"Why you took her husband. Why you tried to

hurting her,

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Chapter 142

with

you try to

him, the sound cracking through the room.

take the fall for everything. I know you left evidence in my apartment. I know you made sure you had alibis Fear flickered in Rose's eyes before she masked it with anger. "That's insane. Why would

I was always going to be the

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

him. "The lawyer reminded me of

"I don't

"He said it's

voice was soft but steady. "I've been living with anger for so long. Blaming Victoria Kane for everything bad in my life. Using that as an excuse to

have a contact meeting us at the bus station in an hour. He'll get

stupid." Rose grabbed his arm. "If you stay, they'll catch you. You'll spend the rest of your

what I deserve." Herod pulled his arm away. "For the

jacket at him.

it on. "Why did you do it, Rose? Why set

take all the

expression hardened. "I

besides a useful tool?" Something flickered in Rose's eyes, hesitation, perhaps, or calculation. Then her face softened, and she

"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 he

his hand tightened painfully. "We need

"I'm

her face. "If

you tell them

what you're afraid of?" Herod asked. "That I'll tell them the

You're the one with the fingerprints at the bomb sites. You're the one with the plans "Plans you put there," Herod said. "But you

"What mistake?" Rose demanded.

it was too much.

paled

Herod walked to

been recording our conversations, Rose. For days now. Ever

of reach. "It's too late. I've already made copies. Sent them to people who will know what to do

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