Chapter 248

Chapter 248:

“I never expected him to care what happened to me. Not after everything.” Her voice was soft, almost wondering. “It feels strange. Like finding money in the pocket of a coat you haven’t worn in years. Unexpected, but ultimately meaningless.”

Alexander joined her at the window. “I told him I’d use his information, but that’s all. If you don’t want his help….”

“No.” Camille turned to face him. “Use him. Use whatever resources we have. Rose is escalating. If Stefan can help us stop her before anyone else gets hurt…” She paused, a complex mix of emotions crossing her face. “It doesn’t erase what he did. But it’s something.”

“I’ll handle him,” Alexander promised. “You won’t have to see him or speak to him.”

“Actually,” Camille said slowly, “I think I should meet with him. Once.”

Alexander frowned. “Are you sure? After everything he did…”

“I’m not the woman he betrayed anymore.” Camille touched the phoenix pendant at her throat, a gesture that had become almost instinctive. “That Camille died in a parking garage. I want him to see who I’ve become. And I want to look him in the eye when he explains why he’s doing this.”

Alexander recognized the determination in her eyes. It was the same look she’d had when facing the press after the bombings—the look of a woman who had walked through fire and emerged stronger. “I’ll arrange it,” he said. “Somewhere secure.”

Camille nodded, then returned to her desk, pulling up the security files again. “Half a million dollars buys a lot of damage,” she said, her focus returning to the threat at hand. “We need to increase security at all remaining substations. And at the main control hub.”

“Already done.” Alexander touched her shoulder gently. “We’ll stop her, Camille.”

She covered his hand with hers, drawing strength from his touch. “Yes, we will.” A faint smile touched her lips. “And then, when this is over, we’ll have that wedding we talked about.”

“Is that a promise, Ms. Kane?” Alexander asked, his voice softening.

“It’s a certainty, Mr. Pierce.”

The following morning, Stefan arrived at Pierce Tower, escorted by two security guards to a private conference room on the top floor. He’d expected to meet Alexander. He was not prepared to see Camille rise from her chair as he entered.

She looked different than he remembered. Stronger. Her posture straight and confident, her eyes clear and direct. The woman before him bore little resemblance to the broken creature who had signed the divorce papers twenty-two months ago.

“Camille,” he breathed, stopping in his tracks. “I didn’t expect….”

“Sit down, Stefan.” Her voice was cool, professional. Not angry, not sad. Simply distant.

He sank into a chair across from her, suddenly aware of his rumpled appearance, the weight he’d lost, the shadows under his eyes. Alexander stood by the window, his posture protective, watching Stefan like a hawk.

.

.

.