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.

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

a moral crisis?"

Herod

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

blind? "You never cared about avenging my family, did you?" 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 Rose's eyes. "You're

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

makes sense now," Herod

her husband. Why you tried to take her parents.

was never about hurting her, it was about

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Chapter 142

stood, her face contorted with rage. "I said

this, Rose?" Herod pressed. "After you destroy Camille completely? Will you

sound cracking through the room. "You know nothing about

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 Fear flickered in Rose's

after this was over, Herod said quietly. I was always going to be the scapegoat. The

that's what you believe, then we have nothing left to discuss," Rose said coldly, turning away to gather

settling over him. "The lawyer reminded me of

don't

"He said it's

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

her bag closed. "We need to leave. Now," She glanced 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

you stay, they'll

arm away. "For the bombs. For working

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

but didn't put it on. "Why did you do it,

take

hardened.

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

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,"

grip on his hand tightened painfully. "We need to go.

his hand away and stood. "I'm done running,

flashed across her face. "If you turn yourself in,

them everything. I'll

of?" Herod asked. "That I'll tell them the truth?

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

"What mistake?" Rose demanded.

greedy. The fake journals, the blueprints, it was too much. Too

face paled slightly. "You're

Herod walked to

the pocket. A small digital recorder. "I've been recording our conversations,

Herod held it out of reach. "It's too late. I've already made