SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 161

Chapter 161

Four weeks. Twenty-eight days without a sign of Rose. Not a text. Not a sighting. Not a whisper.

Camille stood at the window of her office at Kane Industries, watching the city below. Security guards still accompanied her everywhere. The FBI still checked in daily. Alexander's team still swept for bugs and bombs each morning.

But something had changed. The tight knot of fear in her stomach had loosened slightly. Not gone, she doubted it would ever truly disappear, but different now. More like an old injury that ached before rain than the sharp, consuming pain of a fresh wound.

She checked her watch. Three hours until they would drive to Victoria's lake house. The doctors had finally allowed Victoria to leave the hospital two weeks ago, but insisted she recover somewhere quiet, away from the stress of the city. The lake house, with its private security and peaceful surroundings, had been the perfect solution.

A knock on her door interrupted her thoughts. Jason, Alexander's head of security, entered with his daily report.

"All clear, Ms. Kane," he said. "The route to the lake house has been secured. We'll have teams stationed at every checkpoint along the way."

"Thank you, Jason," Camille replied. "Any updates from the FBI?"

He shook his head. "Nothing new. They've followed leads in five states, but nothing concrete. Agent Chen believes Ms. Lewis may have left the country."

Camille nodded, unsurprised. The FBI had been saying similar things for weeks now. Rose had vanished, like smoke dissipating into air.

Part of Camille wanted to believe it-that Rose had run, given up, moved on. But the part that knew her sister best remained on guard. Rose never gave up. Never abandoned her plans. Never left a score unsettled.

"We'll maintain all security protocols," Jason continued, reading her thoughts. "Mr. Pierce has been very clear about that."

"Of course," Camille agreed. "Thank you."

After Jason left, Camille returned to her work. The Phoenix Foundation rebuilding efforts were moving ahead steadily. New offices had been secured. Staff rehired. Projects restarted. It felt good to create again, to build rather than merely survive.

The afternoon passed quickly. When Alexander arrived to pick her up, Camille was surprised to see him dressed casually-jeans and a light sweater instead of his usual suit.

"You look different," she said, smiling despite herself.

"Victoria's orders," he replied. "No business attire at the lake house. Apparently we both need to 'remember how to relax' before we 'turn into workaholics like her.""

Camille laughed, the sound still unfamiliar to her ears after weeks of tension. "Did she actually say that?"

"Word for word. Complete with dire threats if we disobey."

Camille gathered her things, including a small overnight bag. Victoria had insisted they stay the night, watch the sunrise over the lake, pretend for a few hours that their lives weren't forever altered by Rose's vendetta.

The drive north took nearly two hours. Security vehicles preceded and followed their car, a precaution that had become so routine Camille hardly noticed anymore. The city gave way to suburbs, then to rolling countryside, until finally they turned onto the private road leading to Victoria's lake house.

Nestled among pine trees, the house wasn't as grand as Camille had expected. Victoria Kane, known for her luxury penthouses and corner offices, had chosen something almost modest for her retreat. The two-story structure of wood and glass faced a small private lake, its deck extending out over the water.

personnel were visible but discreet—a team at the gate, another patrolling the perimeter, yet another stationed near the dock. Alexander had insisted on the highest level of protection despite

warm evening. She was thinner than before her illness, her cheekbones more prominent, but her eyes

as they approached. "I was beginning to think

the deck and bent to kiss

her hand. "Come, sit. Dinner will be

from Victoria. "The

"We agreed, no

his hands in

instructed firmly. "For one night, we're going to pretend we're normal people enjoying a quiet evening at the lake.

determined to bend the world to her will. Cancer had weakened her body but not

talk."

The lake stretched before them, its surface glassy in the fading light. Birds called from the surrounding

beautiful here," Camille said, breathing deeply. "I can see why

my first major business success. Everyone expected me to purchase something ostentatious, a mansion, a

you," Alexander observed. "Understated but

almost smiled at that. "The water helps me think.

orange. Camille felt something inside her slowly unwinding, a tension so constant she'd forgotten what it

as darkness fell. Simple but delicious food, grilled fish, fresh vegetables, warm read. Battery-operated lanterns created pools of golden light around their table. If security personnel remained vigilant in the shadows, they were invisible enough to maintain the illusion of normalcy. Victoria ate slowly but steadily, another

next month," she mentioned between bites. "Three days a week,

ambitious," Alexander

for your opinion on

Camille added. "The doctors said to take

a day is slow,"

argue with that. Before her illness, Victoria regularly worked fourteen-hour days. Four hours would indeed feel like barely working

a fire pit near the lake's edge. Security had cleared the area earlier, ensuring it was safe. The flames cast dancing shadows across their faces as they sat in comfortable chairs arranged

breaking a long but pleasant silence.

business

It's life." Victoria's

tensed slightly. "What

on hold. Understandably, given recent

wondering when you might

hand, a silent show of support. This topic hadn't been discussed

Camille answered honestly. "It doesn't seem

right time?" Victoria pressed. "When Rose is caught? When my cancer is in full remission? When the

no good answer. There would always be another reason to wait, another fear

you to be safe," she said finally.

already targets," Victoria pointed out. "Has been for months now. And yet, here

same question in both their eyes: How long would

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