SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 182

The car rolled up the long driveway, gravel crunching beneath the tires. Alexander sat motionless in the passenger seat, his face a mask as he stared at the mansion ahead. Camille drove, giving him the freedom to absorb the sight of his childhood home after seven years away.

"We can still turn around," she said softly.

Alexander shook his head. "No. I need to do this."

The Pierce estate stood proud against the autumn sky, all gray stone and tall windows. A place built to show wealth, not to give warmth. Two figures waited on the wide front steps, Eleanor and Edward Pierce, standing close yet somehow apart.

"They look nervous," Camille observed.

"Good." Alexander straightened his tie, a gesture Camille recognized as his way of gathering strength. "They should be."

She parked near the entrance, turning off the engine. The sudden silence felt heavy.

"Remember," she said, taking his hand. "Whatever happens in there, I'm with you."

Alexander's fingers tightened around hers. "The last time I walked out these doors, I was nineteen and they told me not to come back until I 'saw reason.' Until I stopped 'slandering' my brother."

The bitterness in his voice made Camille ache for the young man he'd been, wounded, betrayed, alone.

"Let's go," he said, opening his door before she could respond.

The air smelled of cut grass and autumn leaves as they walked toward the house. Eleanor took a half-step forward, then stopped, her hands clasped so tightly her knuckles shone white. Edward stood rigid, his face unreadable beneath his silver hair.

"Alexander," Eleanor said, her voice trembling slightly. "Thank you for coming."

Alexander gave a curt nod, offering nothing more.

"Please, come inside," Edward said, his deep voice less steady than Camille had expected.

Alexander took her hand as they followed his parents into the house. The entrance hall loomed vast and cold, marble floors and high ceilings creating an echo chamber. Family portraits lined the walls, generations of Pierces staring down with identical blue eyes. Camille noticed the most recent portrait, a younger Alexander standing behind his seated parents, James at their side. Alexander's eyes lingered on it as they passed.

"We can sit in the library," Eleanor suggested, leading them down a hallway.

The library felt warmer than the rest of the house, lined with books from floor to ceiling. A fire burned in the massive stone fireplace, casting dancing shadows on leather chairs and heavy wooden tables. It looked like a room where people might actually live, not just exist for show.

"You've kept it the same," Alexander said, the first words he'd spoken since entering.

Eleanor nodded. "It was always your favorite room."

Alexander moved to the window, looking out at the manicured gardens. His shoulders were tense under his tailored suit.

"Would you like something to drink?" Edward asked, moving to a sideboard where crystal decanters gleamed in the firelight.

"No." Alexander turned to face his parents. "I didn't come here to pretend this is a social visit."

Edward's hand paused above a decanter. Eleanor sank into a chair, her eyes never leaving her son's face.

because we have things that need

while remaining close enough for support. This was his battle,

standing behind his wife's chair. "Son, we know words aren't enough.

asking for

asking," Eleanor corrected. "Not expecting. Just...

sound that filled the quiet room. "Seven years of silence,

said, his voice cracking slightly. "We chose to believe

Alexander agreed.

the window, walking the perimeter of the room.

a shelf, touching a small

still have this," he said, surprise softening

"Your trophies, your school reports, newspaper clippings about

hardness returned. "Collecting mementos of the son you threw

flinched. "We deserve

agreed again.

trophy, studying it as if it belonged to someone else. "Do you know what I've accomplished since I walked

Neither parent answered.

Pierce Enterprises from nothing. No family connections, no Pierce money, just my own intelligence and determination." Alexander's voice grew stronger. "I became a trillionaire without a single call or message of support from either

"We tried to reach out

of our accident. After he died." He set

behind Eleanor's chair. "We were wrong to shut you out, Alexander. When James died, the truth hit

after all that time. Not when

blame you for shutting us out.

before the crash? That

The week before his accident. He'd been carrying that guilt for years. He said he'd tried to tell you

Alexander confirmed, his back still to them. "I sent him away. Told him it was too

finally understood the

chosen the wrong son? To know your

he approached his son. "Like dying every day. Like knowing we'd done something that could

approach, his face giving away

asking you to know that we've lived with our mista every day since James died. That we would give anything, anything, to go back and change what we

Alexander said

Edward's shoulders slumped. "We

them, Alexander rigid with years of pain, his parents

own judgment when everyone told me I was wrong.

his expression. "And I found people who believe in

Camille with genuine warmth. "That you

moved to a leather

first time he'd relaxed his stance since entering the house. "I didn't come here topunish

parents remained still, barely breathing, as if afraid any movement might shatter this

voice grew quiet. "But I

face was painful to witness.

agreed. "It

life, your work? Your wedding plans?" Alexander