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.

Better than both of us." His voice shook with emotion. "He wouldn't have planted bombs. He wouldn't have risked innocent

a moral crisis?"

Herod

stood for." "Your brother is dead,"

"We wanted the same thing," Rose insisted, sitting beside

you talk about Camille isn't normal. It's obsessive. You don't just want to destroy her,

now," Herod continued,

her husband. Why you

heir. It was never about hurting

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Chapter 142

with rage. "I said shut

your plan after this, Rose?" Herod pressed. "After you destroy Camille completely? Will you try to

the sound cracking through the room.

staring 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 Fear flickered in

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

to discuss,"

a strange calm settling over him. "The lawyer reminded

"I don't care what your dead

"He said it's

been." Herod's voice was soft but steady. "I've been living with anger for so long. Blaming Victoria Kane for everything

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

arm. "If you stay, they'll catch you. You'll spend

pulled his arm away. "For the bombs.

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

put it on.

take all

hardened.

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,

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,"

hand tightened painfully. "We need to

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

"If you turn yourself

them everything. I'll be

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

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

"What mistake?" Rose demanded.

The fake journals, the blueprints, it

paled

I?" Herod

recording our conversations, Rose. For days now.

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