Chapter 138
Chapter 138:
“The truth,” Camille cut him off. “Not what sounds noble. The truth.”
Stefan’s shoulders sagged. “Because I can’t live with myself otherwise,” he whispered. “Because I wake up every night seeing your face when you found those divorce papers. Because when I thought you were dead, I realized what I’d done. Who I’d become.”
Camille absorbed his words without expression. “And now? What do you want from this?”
“Nothing from you,” Stefan said, meeting her eyes. “I don’t expect forgiveness. I just want to do one right thing. To help stop Rose before she hurts more people.”
“If we use your information, I need to know you won’t waver. That you won’t change your mind if Rose reaches out again.”
“I won’t,” Stefan said firmly. “I’ve seen who she really is now. There’s no going back.”
Victoria and Alexander returned precisely five minutes later. Alexander’s eyes immediately sought Camille’s, checking for signs of distress.
“We’ll accept your assistance,” Camille announced. “You’ll work with Alexander’s security team, not directly with us. Every piece of information will be verified. Every move watched.”
“I understand,” Stefan said, relief washing over his face.
“If this is some kind of trap,” Victoria added icily, “understand that I will personally ensure you regret it.”
For the next hour, they extracted every detail Stefan could offer about Rose—her habits, her thought patterns, the places she might go, the people she still trusted. Alexander recorded everything, his initial jealousy forgotten as he focused on the tactical value of Stefan’s information.
Victoria remained cool and distant, her skepticism evident in every question. But even she couldn’t deny the value of what Stefan provided.
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When they finished, Stefan stood to leave. At the door, he paused.
“For what it’s worth,” he said quietly, “I am sorry. For everything.”
Camille nodded once, neither accepting nor rejecting his apology. She watched him walk away, the ghost of the man she had married.
When the door closed, Victoria turned to Camille. “Do you believe him?”
“I believe he wants to help,” Camille said carefully. “Whether he has the strength to follow through… that’s another question.”
“His insights about Rose match what we’ve observed,” Alexander admitted. “And his remorse seemed genuine.”
“People can fake remorse,” Victoria reminded them.
“True.” Alexander’s eyes met Camille’s. “But I think Stefan Rodriguez has finally seen himself clearly. And he doesn’t like what he sees.”
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