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.

snapped inside Herod. "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

a moral crisis?"

Herod

on him. "I keep thinking about Charles. About what he 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. You get to

"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

cle Successfully unlocked! you. Listening to you. The way you talk about Camille

makes sense now," Herod continued,

place. "Why you took her husband. Why you tried to take her parents. Why

about hurting her, it was about replacing

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Chapter 142

face contorted with rage. "I

pressed. "After you destroy Camille completely? Will you try to take her

through the room.

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

be together after this was over, Herod said quietly. I

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

a strange calm settling over him. "The lawyer reminded me

"I don't care what your dead

"He said it's

have been." Herod's voice was soft but steady. "I've been living with anger

at her watch. "I have a contact meeting us at the bus station in an hour. He'll get us new IDs, enough to cross the border." Herod didn't move. "I'm not going

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

his arm away. "For the bombs.

his jacket at him. "Get dressed. We're leaving

on. "Why did you do

take all

hardened.

lying," Herod said, surprising himself with how calm he felt. "Just tell 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

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 he hadn't already seen behind her mask, he might have believed her. "You're very good," he said quietly. "I

hand tightened painfully. "We need

stood. "I'm done running, Rose.

"If you turn yourself in,

tell them everything.

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

Kane. You're the one with the fingerprints at

"What mistake?" Rose demanded.

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

face paled slightly.

I?" Herod

"I've been recording our conversations, Rose. For days

"It's too late.