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.

cleared his throat. "I should get back. I'll update you

disappeared back through the double doors, leaving the

his hand gentle on Camille's shoulder. The simple question broke something inside her. Tears she'd held back for hours suddenly poured out, her body shaking with

gasped between breaths. "I can't seem

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

cup of water, his presence steady and calm beside her. The storm continued its assault outside, rain lashing against the windows. "Where's Rose?" Margaret asked

Alexander answered. "She'll face charges for everything, the

shook his head, his expression haunted. "I still can't believe it came

again, except for the drumming of rain against the windows. The nurse at the

the stillness. "I

the doorway, leaning heavily on a cane. Her face was gray with exhaustion, her body frail from cancer treatments, but her eyes burned with the same fierce determination Camille had come to

her side.

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

room. "Victoria, please sit here.

way from their first icy

he?" Victoria asked, settling into the offered chair

bullet damaged major blood vessels, but they're

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

Camille said. "Not

reached for her hand, her grip surprisingly strong despite her weakened state. "You've survived worse

awkward silence. Camille noticed how her father treated Victoria with

to her parents. "I know it's not

came," Margaret said, her voice gentle. "We've missed too many moments

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

pushed through the doors, carrying a clipboard. "Family of Stefan

five voices

taken aback. "The doctor asked me

but he's critical. The next

arm slipped around her waist

we see

yet," the nurse replied. "He'll be in recovery

be morning before visitors

fell silent once more.

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

she truly looked at the older woman, noting the new lines of pain around her mouth, the thinness of

come," Camille said softly. "You need to rest." Victoria's lip curled. "I'll rest when I'm dead. Which, contrary to

hope you know how grateful we are. For everything

waved her hand dismissively, but Camille caught the subtle softening around her eyes. The two families had formed an unlikely alliance during Camille's abduction, their shared concern bridging years of misunderstanding. "We brought something for you," Margaret said, handing Camille a small paper bag. "We found

the dock at Cedar Lake, fishing rod in hand. Her father's arm was around her shoulders. Her mother

happy girl," Margaret whispered. "Before

sobs of earlier, but something gentler. Sorrow for what was lost, for