SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 179

The silver wedding binder sat open on Camille's desk, pages filled with fabric samples and venue photos. After months of courtrooms and business takeovers, the sight of something so normal, so hopeful, felt almost strange. Camille ran her fingers over a scrap of ivory silk, allowing herself a small smile.

"Penny for your thoughts," Alexander said, entering her office with two coffee cups in hand.

"Just thinking how different this feels now." She accepted the coffee, breathing in its rich aroma. "Before Rose's trial, planning felt... impossible. Like tempting fate."

Alexander settled into the chair across from her desk. "And now?"

"Now it feels real." She turned a page in the binder to reveal a lakeside estate. "What do you think of this one?"

"Beautiful," he said, studying the photograph. "But what really matters is if you like

it."

Camille considered the image, gardens sloping down to a private lake, mountains in the background, a grand house with wraparound porches. Nothing like the ultra-modern Manhattan venues she'd initially considered.

"I do," she admitted. "It reminds me of Cedar Lake. The good memories, before Rose."

The phone on her desk buzzed. Her assistant's voice came through the speaker. "Ms. Kane, your mother Victoria is on line one."

Camille glanced at Alexander, who raised an eyebrow. Victoria rarely called during business hours, adhering strictly to the boundaries she'd established since stepping down.

"Put her through," Camille said, pressing the speaker button.

"Camille," Victoria's voice filled the room, its usual crispness softened by the hint

of a smile. "I've made a decision that isn't up for debate."

Alexander smothered a laugh. Some things never changed.

"Hello to you too, Victoria," Camille replied. "What non-debatable decision have you made now?"

"I'm hosting your engagement party. Two weeks from Saturday at my home." Camille and Alexander exchanged glances. Though Victoria's cancer treatment was going well, she tired easily. Hosting a major social event would tax her strength.

"Victoria, that's not necessary...."

"It absolutely is," Victoria cut in. "You two have been engaged for months while dealing with Rose's trial and my treatment. It's time to celebrate properly."

Camille twisted her engagement ring, the diamond catching the morning light. The phoenix design Alexander had commissioned glinted gold and platinum around her finger – a symbol of her transformation, her rise from ashes.

"Are you sure you're up to it?" she asked gently.

Victoria's sigh crackled through the speaker. "Camille, I may have cancer, but I'm not an invalid. My doctors say I'm responding exceptionally well to treatment. Besides," her voice softened further, "I want to do this for you. For both of you." The unexpected tenderness in Victoria's voice made Camille's throat tighten. This was the woman who had rebuilt her from broken pieces, who had taught her strength but never softness. Now, in her illness, Victoria was changing too.

"Alright," Camille conceded. "But a small gathering."

Victoria agreed too quickly, making it clear she'd already

will be there, of

Margaret last week," Victoria confirmed. "She's offered to handle the floral arrangements. Your father and I discussed the wine selection

eyebrows, impressed by how Victoria had already set things in motion, including coordinating with the

work together.

assistant will coordinate with

"Yes, Victoria?" he answered.

actually takes time to enjoy this. She works

grinned. "Physician,

leaned back in her chair. "She's

may not be close,

still strange sometimes," Camille admitted. "The Lewis

different sphere of influence,"

commanded respect, but in vastly different ways. That they could maintain a cordial relationship despite these differences spoke volumes

The headline read: "Phoenix Rising: America's New Power Couple Emerges from Ashes of Tragedy." Below it stretched a photo of Camille and

the metaphor, aren't they?"

through the article. "This part actually surprised

Camille read aloud:

"Sources close

spotted dining with Victoria Kane last month at Le Cirque, suggesting a surprising alliance between old New York aristocracy and New York's corporate royalty. The phoenix, a symbol of rebirth embraced by both Kane

apt metaphor for this union, a relationship forged

paper down. "Well, at least

combination of your family's old

my parents," Camille said.

Alexander pointed out. "That's common ground no matter

considered this.

shifted

plan had evolved into something the public found irresistible, a love story emerging from tragedy, two powerful individuals joining

engagement ring design and later in their joint business ventures, had captured the public's imagination. Where Victoria had once taught Camille to use symbols to intimidate, now those

think the media attention will ever die down?" she

We're too visible now.

asked, genuinely curious about how he

power for its own sake. It's about building something meaningful from pain. It's about choosing

with unexpected force. Wasn't that exactly what she'd been trying to do

that

new purpose. "Let's visit the lakeside property this weekend. Before Victoria persuades us to host at some ultra-modern venue

your parents. See if they

nodded, reaching for her phone. The invitation would be another small step in strengthening the bonds between all parts of

Margaret answered. "Alexander and I are going to look at a

us?"

and warm. "We'd love to, darling. Actually, Victoria called this morning about the engagement party. She mentioned you might

that Victoria had

Their cordial relationship had evolved to include regular communication about matters concerning Camille, though