SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan) novel Chapter 183

Chapter 183

The evening glow bathed Victoria Kane's sprawling estate in golden light as lanterns illuminated the gardens for the rehearsal dinner. Three months had passed since the trial, and life had settled into a new rhythm for Camille. Tomorrow, she would marry Alexander Pierce and truly begin the next chapter of her story.

From the edge of the stone terrace, Camille watched the unlikely gathering with quiet wonder, her birth parents chatting with Victoria, Kane Industries executives mingling with Pierce Enterprises innovators. The worlds that had once been separate now blended because of the love between her and Alexander.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Alexander's voice was warm against her ear as his arms encircled her waist.

Camille leaned back against his chest, savoring his strength. "Just taking it all in. Two years ago, I was plotting revenge in Victoria's study. Now..."

"Now you're running Kane Industries and about to become Mrs. Pierce." He kissed her temple, his lips lingering against her skin. "How quickly life changes."

She turned to face him, searching his eyes. "Any second thoughts about tomorrow?"

"About marrying you? Never." His smile reached his eyes, though something flickered behind them, a shadow so brief Camille didn't register its meaning.

Victoria approached them, moving with more strength than she'd shown in weeks. The experimental cancer treatment was working, her latest scans showed another reduction in tumor size. "There you two are. The photographer wants pictures by the fountain before we lose the light."

Camille squeezed Alexander's hand. "We'll be right there."

As Victoria walked away, Alexander's phone buzzed. He pulled it from his pocket, glancing at the screen. A muscle in his jaw tightened, almost imperceptibly.

"Everything okay?" Camille asked casually.

Alexander slid the phone back into his pocket, his smile returning naturally. "Just a supplier issue at Pierce Enterprises. Nothing that can't wait until after the honeymoon." He kissed her hand. "Come on, let's not keep the photographer waiting."

Throughout dinner, Alexander was the perfect fiancé... attentive, charming, raising his glass during toasts with genuine emotion. Yet twice, Camille noticed him check his phone discreetly. Each time, a shadow passed across his face before he returned to the celebration, his smile never wavering.

During Victoria's speech, he squeezed Camille's hand, his eyes never leaving her face as Victoria's voice carried across the garden. "When I found Camille, I thought I was saving her. In truth, she saved me." Victoria raised her glass. "To Camille and Alexander, two phoenixes who found each other in the flames."

Later, as guests danced under the stars, Alexander excused himself. "I need to make a quick call, that supplier issue. I'll be right back."

Camille nodded, distracted by conversation with a board member. When Alexander returned twenty minutes later, she noticed nothing unusual beyond a certain tension in his shoulders that she attributed to wedding nerves.

"Everything handled?" she asked as he rejoined her.

"All taken care of." He kissed her cheek. "Nothing for you to worry about."

The evening continued with dessert and dancing. If Alexander seemed occasionally distracted, no one noticed but him.

*** ****

Long after the guests departed, Camille and Alexander walked through the moonlit gardens. Victoria had insisted they spend the night before their wedding in separate wings of the estate, following tradition.

"I can't believe we're actually here," Camille said softly. "After everything."