Once She Came Like a Flash novel Chapter 17

**Faith Didn’t Survive Time – by Aadi Sharma**
**Chapter 17**

Charlie’s frustration boiled over, his fist crashing down onto the desk with a force that sent papers fluttering like startled birds. The sound echoed ominously through the room, a sharp crack that made Rose flinch involuntarily. Yet, despite the storm brewing in Charlie’s eyes, she stood her ground, unyielding.

“Why should any woman suffer alongside you?” he spat, his voice thick with contempt. “What have you done to deserve it?”

A bitter laugh escaped his lips, a sound devoid of humor. If even Rose, with all her flaws and imperfections, believed that he was unworthy of Lola’s unwavering love and loyalty, then perhaps he truly had sunk to a level that was beneath contempt. The realization clawed at him, a gnawing sensation in the pit of his stomach.

“Yes,” he replied, his tone laced with venom. “You’re absolutely right. I was blind, utterly foolish. I cast aside my precious wife, the one who gave me everything, for someone as wretched as you. Every scar I bear now is a testament to my own stupidity. But don’t think for a moment that I’ll let this slide. We will settle our accounts, and I assure you, it won’t be pretty.”

The seed of doubt about Rose had taken root in his mind, growing into a dark, twisted vine that choked out any remnants of trust. Driven by a need for answers, he had ordered a thorough investigation into her every move, her every whisper. What came back was a report that chilled him to the bone, detailing her actions in a way that left him reeling.

As the weight of his words hung heavy in the air, the distant wail of sirens pierced through the tension, growing louder as they approached. The sound was a harbinger of chaos, a sign that the storm was about to break. Moments later, several police officers burst into the room, their presence commanding and authoritative.

“Miss Pearson,” one of the officers announced, his voice steady and unyielding, “you are under suspicion of slander, defamation, administering drugs to a child, and endangering his life. Please come with us.”

Rose’s complexion drained of color, her heart racing as the gravity of the situation sank in. She had never anticipated that Charlie would go to such lengths, that he would wield the law like a weapon against her. Shock coursed through her veins, mingling with disbelief. This was not just a battle of words anymore; it had escalated into something far more dangerous.