Once She Came Like a Flash novel Chapter 26

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**Faith Didn’t Survive Time – by Aadi Sharma**
**Chapter 26**

Charlie clenched his jaw, forcing himself to suppress the wave of disappointment that threatened to crash over him. The sterile hospital room, with its harsh fluorescent lights and the faint smell of antiseptic, felt suffocating. Once the nurse had exited, he reached for his phone, fingers trembling slightly as he typed out a message: [Lola, I’m in the hospital. My stomach hurts so much…]

But halfway through, he hesitated, the words feeling too raw, too vulnerable. He deleted it and tried again: [Lola, I’d like to discuss Edwin’s custody with you.]

It felt disingenuous to use Edwin as bait, but Charlie understood that mentioning their son might stir something in her. A pang of self-loathing washed over him; was he really so desperate? In that moment, all he wanted was to see her, to feel her presence beside him, even if it was under the guise of a serious conversation.

And to his relief, it worked. She agreed to come.

As he awaited her arrival, Charlie straightened himself as much as the hospital bed would allow. He brushed a hand through his disheveled hair, trying to appear less haggard. The last thing he wanted was for Lola to see him as a pitiful shadow of himself.

When she finally walked in, it was as if time had slowed. The moment her gaze fell upon him, pale and frail in the stark white sheets, she froze, her expression a mix of shock and concern.

This side of Charlie—so weak and vulnerable—was one she had known intimately. After all, she had been his caretaker for countless years, witnessing both his strength and his fragility.

As he caught sight of the softening in her eyes, a flicker of hope ignited within him. Perhaps she was reminiscing about their shared past. He took a deep breath, his voice barely above a whisper, laced with longing.

“Lola… without you, I really don’t know how to take care of myself. I was wrong before. Could we… try again?”

Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she were grappling with a flood of memories. A faint smile escaped her lips, but it was tinged with bittersweet nostalgia.

“Do you remember?” she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Back in school, when I was bullied for wearing shabby clothes? It was you who happened to walk by and chased them off. After that, no one ever dared to pick on me again. I thought you were the most handsome boy in the world. I promised myself that if I ever had the chance, I’d repay you, no matter what it took.”

Charlie blinked, utterly taken aback. He had no recollection of that moment, no memory of being her savior. For him, it had likely been a fleeting act, lost in the chaos of youth. But for Lola, it had been a defining moment, a testament to her unwavering devotion.

“Lola, I…” he stammered, but she cut him off, her voice steady and resolute.

“When I heard about your car accident, when you fell into a coma, I didn’t hesitate for a second. I gave up my chance to study abroad and rushed back to take care of you. During those endless days and nights, when even your family had given up hope, I kept telling myself to hold on just a little longer, that maybe you’d wake up. And I did. But in the end, you repaid my loyalty by reducing our marriage to something so disgraceful.”

A self-deprecating smile played on her lips, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

“If you had fallen in love with someone else, you could have told me. I wouldn’t have clung to you. But what you did… it shattered the boy I once believed in, dismantled the reason I held on for all those years. I never regretted my choices—not choosing to marry you, and not leaving you.”

Never regretted?

A wave of realization crashed over Charlie. He had never truly understood the depth of her strength, the freedom she had fought for. She possessed a courage to sever ties that he had never been able to muster.

“Even for Edwin’s sake, won’t you consider trying again?” he implored, his voice raw with desperation. “I know I wronged you before, but if you’d give me another chance, I promise I’ll prove myself this time.”