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."

quickly, making it clear she'd already planned for this

be there,

offered to handle the floral arrangements. Your father and I discussed the

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

parents continued to work together. Their cordial relationship had been one of the

will coordinate with yours for the remaining details.

"Yes, Victoria?" he answered.

actually takes time to enjoy this. She works too hard." The line clicked dead before either could

grinned. "Physician, heal

back in

good to see her and your parents cooperating," Alexander remarked. "Their relationship may not be close, but it's

still strange sometimes," Camille admitted. "The Lewis name carries weight in

sphere of influence," Alexander

self-made empire represented a different kind of authority altogether. Both commanded respect, but in vastly different ways. That they could maintain a cordial relationship despite these differences spoke volumes about their shared priority: Camille's happiness. "Speaking of social positioning," Alexander said, pulling a newspaper from his briefcase, "have

Ashes of Tragedy." Below it stretched a photo of Camille and Alexander at last week's charity gala, her phoenix pendant gleaming

into the metaphor, aren't they?"

through the

Camille read aloud:

"Sources close

Margaret Lewis of the New York Lewises, bringing ful circle the remarkable story of family restoration. The couple was spotted dining with Victoria Kane last month at Le Cirque, suggesting a surprising alliance between old New York

their joint ventures, seems an apt metaphor for this union, a relationship forged in fire, emerging stronger and more brilliant

"Well, at least they

of your

they didn't exaggerate the tension between Victoria and my parents," Camille said. "Their relationship may be strictly cordial, but they've been remarkably civil since

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

considered this.

indeed shifted how

public found irresistible, a love story emerging from tragedy, two powerful individuals joining forces both personally and professionally, with

business ventures, had captured the public's imagination. Where Victoria had once taught Camille to use

attention will ever die down?" she

shook his head. "Not completely. We're too visible now. But we can control

genuinely curious about how he saw their

real strength isn't about revenge or power for its own sake. It's about building something meaningful from pain.

been trying to do since Rose's conviction? What she hoped to continue

live with that

wedding binder, Camille flipped through venue options with new purpose. "Let's visit the lakeside property this weekend. Before Victoria persuades us to host at some ultra-modern

perhaps we should call your parents.

would be another small

answered. "Alexander and I are going to look at a potential wedding venue this weekend.

us?"

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

that

mother. Their cordial relationship had evolved to include regular communication about matters concerning Camille, though she knew they weren't exactly