SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 171

The hospital waiting room smelled of bleach and coffee gone cold. Camille sat rigid in an uncomfortable plastic chair, staring at the double doors where they'd rushed Stefan an hour ago. Blood stained her clothes, his blood. She hadn't changed, couldn't bring herself to leave, even when a kind nurse had offered scrubs.

"He'll pull through," Alexander said, his fingers laced with hers. "Stefan's tough."

Camille nodded without speaking. The image of Stefan leaping in front of her, taking the bullet meant for her chest, played on endless loop in her mind. His body jerking backward. The surprised look in his eyes. The spreading red stain on his shirt.

"Why did he do it?" she whispered. "After everything..."

Alexander squeezed her hand. "He wanted to make things right. In the only way he could."

Thunder rattled the windows. The storm that had masked their approach to the cabin now battered the hospital, as if nature itself shared their turmoil. Camille shivered, suddenly aware of her damp clothes and hair.

"Here," Alexander said, draping his dry jacket over her shoulders. The warmth of it, the faint scent of his cologne, steadied her somehow.

"What did you say to Rose?" she asked. "When they pulled her from the water?"

Alexander's jaw tightened. "I told her that no matter what happened with Stefan, she would spend the rest of her life paying for what she'd done. That no judge would show mercy once they saw what she did to you. To the people at the gala. That her story was over."

Camille had never heard such coldness in his voice, not even during their confrontation with Herod Preston months ago. It should have frightened her, but instead she felt oddly comforted by his ferocity.

"Miss Kane?" A doctor appeared, still wearing his surgical cap. Camille and Alexander jumped to their feet. "You're listed as Mr. Rodriguez's emergency contact."

"Yes," Alexander said. "This is Camille Kane, his..." He hesitated.

"Former wife," Camille finished for him. "How is he?"

The doctor looked between them. "The surgery is ongoing. The bullet missed his heart but damaged major blood vessels. He's lost a lot of blood. We're doing everything we can, but I need to be honest, it's going to be touch and go."

Camille swayed, the room tilting beneath her feet. Alexander's arm went around her waist, holding her upright.

"Is there anyone else we should contact?" the doctor asked. "Family?"

"His parents are in Madrid," Alexander said. "I've tried reaching them, but..."

A commotion at the waiting room entrance cut him off. Margaret and Richard Lewis burst through the doors, rain-soaked and worried.

"Camille!" her mother cried, rushing forward. She stopped short, taking in her daughter's bloody clothes and bruised face. "Oh my God, baby..."

Richard stood behind his wife, his face pale with concern. "We came as soon as Alexander called. Is Stefan...?"

"Still in surgery," Camille said, her voice cracking. "He took a bullet for me."

Margaret's eyes filled with tears. Without hesitation, she pulled Camille into an embrace. Unlike the awkward, tentative hugs of their recent meetings, this one felt real, a mother's genuine concern for her child.

throat. "I should get back. I'll update

double doors, leaving the family

Richard asked, his hand gentle on Camille's shoulder. The simple question broke something inside her. Tears she'd held

gasped between breaths. "I can't

said. "You've been through hell. Cry all you

cup of water, his presence steady and calm beside her. The storm continued its assault outside, rain lashing

"She'll face charges for everything, the bombings,

"I still can't believe it came to

room fell silent again, except for the drumming of rain against the windows. The nurse at the desk tapped at

the stillness. "I see I'm not too

Her face was gray with exhaustion, her body frail from cancer treatments, but her

her side. "You shouldn't be here.

to do," Victoria snapped, though without real anger. She let Camille help her to a chair. "Alexander called.

moved to make room. "Victoria, please sit here. It's more

and Victoria had come a long way from their first icy meeting months

settling into the

major blood vessels, but they're working to repair

gaze drifting to Camille's bloodstained clothes. "And you, child?

said.

despite her weakened state. "You've survived worse

father treated Victoria

you for coming," Camille said to her

voice gentle. "We've missed too many moments when you needed us. We won't miss any

seat on Camille's other side, completing their strange circle. "Stefan's parents are trying to

the doors, carrying a clipboard.

voices answered

aback. "The doctor asked me to update you. He's

but he's critical. The

relief. Alexander's arm

see him?" she

be in

It might be morning before

news, Stefan alive, but barely. The strange gathering fell silent once more. Outside, the storm began to ease, the thunder

reached for Camille's hand again. "Sit down, child. You look ready to

older woman, noting the new lines of pain around her mouth, the thinness of her wrists.

lip curled. "I'll rest when I'm dead. Which, contrary

cleared his throat. "Victoria, I hope you know how grateful

during Camille's abduction, their shared concern bridging years of misunderstanding. "We brought something for you," Margaret said, handing

dock at Cedar Lake, fishing rod in hand. Her father's arm was around her shoulders. Her mother smiled from the background, setting appicnic on a checkered

happy girl," Margaret whispered.

of earlier, but something gentler. Sorrow for