SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 157

Alexander Pierce stood in the hospital corridor outside Victoria's room, cell phone pressed to his ear as he absorbed the news.

"You're certain it's her?" he asked the FBI agent on the other end of the line.

"One hundred percent," came the reply. "Clear facial match in multiple video segments. We're preparing to release the footage to the media within the hour."

"I want to see it first," Alexander insisted. "Send it to my secure email immediately."

After ending the call, Alexander leaned against the wall, the weight of the news settling on his shoulders. They had suspected Rose from the beginning, of course. Known in their hearts who was responsible. But confirmation brought its own burden, the question of how to tell Camille.

She had barely left Victoria's bedside in the five days since the bombing. The unexpected hopeful news about Victoria's treatment options had lifted some of the darkness from Camille's spirits, but she remained fragile, caught between relief that Victoria might have years rather than months and fury at Rose for accelerating her illness with the bombing.

Now Alexander held proof of Rose's guilt in his hands. Not conjecture or suspicion, but undeniable visual evidence.

He checked his phone as the email arrived, opening the video files and watching them in grim silence. There was Rose, her movements calm and deliberate as she placed the bombs that would kill six people. No hesitation. No sign of conflict. Just cold, calculated destruction.

Alexander closed the files, his decision made. Camille needed to know before she saw it on the news. She deserved that much.

He knocked softly on Victoria's door before entering. Camille sat beside the bed as always, but Victoria was awake today, her color somewhat improved from yesterday. They both looked up as he entered.

"What is it?" Camille asked immediately, reading his expression. "Something's wrong."

Alexander moved to her side, placing a hand on her shoulder. "The FBI has identified the bomber from security footage," he said quietly. "It's Rose. They have clear images of her placing the devices throughout the hotel."

Camille's face remained perfectly still, but Alexander felt the slight tremble that ran through her body at his words.

"Show me," she said.

"Camille..." Victoria began, concern in her voice.

"I need to see it," Camille insisted. "Show me the footage."

Alexander hesitated, then handed her his phone with the video cued up. Camille took it, her hand steady despite the storm he knew must be raging inside her. Victoria motioned for Alexander to help her sit up higher so she could see the screen as well.

Together they watched as Rose moved through the hotel, planting the bombs that would devastate their lives. Camille's expression hardened with each passing second, while Victoria's remained carefully neutral, the perfect mask she had perfected over decades in business.

When the video ended, Camille handed the phone back to Alexander, her movements controlled. Too controlled.

"They're issuing a nationwide manhunt," Alexander continued. "Her face will be on every news channel within the hour. The FBI wanted us to know first."

Victoria reached for Camille's hand. "Now everyone will know the truth."

"Six people dead," she said, her voice distant. "Six people who came

isn't your fault," Alexander

whose fault it is," Camille replied, an edge of steel

tightened her grip on Camille's hand. "Remember your promise

simple words seemed to penetrate Camille's hardening shell. She looked at Victoria, conflict evident in her eyes, the promise to choose creation over destruction battling with

she said finally. "But that doesn't mean I

Victoria agreed. "Revenge,

phone rang again, the FBI with updated information. He stepped out into the hallway to take the call,

later,

"What now?" Camille asked.

registered

"She's running," Victoria said.

behind." Alexander hesitated. "A notebook. It contained detailed plans

"She was planning to

hotel bombing was

machines beeped as her heart rate increased slightly.

the FBI is following every lead. They've assigned their

stood abruptly. "I

"Camille..." Victoria began.

"Just to the garden downstairs. I need

moved to follow her, but

said quietly. "She needs space to

Camille left, Victoria's composed expression finally cracked,

Victoria said. "The promise to choose life over

replied, taking the seat Camille had vacated. "Especially now, with proof of

because of that proof that the promise matters," Victoria countered. "Rose wants Camille consumed by hatred. Wants her focused on

Victoria's logic, but he understood Camille's conflict all too well.

despite her illness, fixed on his. "Remind her who she is now. Not who she was when Rose first hurt her. The woman she's become

** ** **

Camille sat on a stone bench, face turned up to the afternoon sun. The images from the security footage played on loop in her mind, Rose moving through the hotel, planting death with the same casual confidence she'd once used

destroying what Camille built. Always Rose, turning triumph

A news alert. She opened it to see Rose's face filling the screen, a still from the

BOMBER."

toll. The injured. A brief biography of Rose Lewis, adopted sister of Camille Kane, with mentions of her

so long, her sister's betrayal, her husband's infidelity, her own transformation from victim to survivor, was now playing out in

weeks ago: the Phoenix Foundation's logo, freshly painted on the wall of their new office. A symbol of rebirth. Of rising from

echoed in her mind: "Promise me

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