Once She Came Like a Flash novel Chapter 5

**Chapter 5**

Once the last burst of fireworks faded into the night sky, Charlie found himself on one knee before Rose, his heart racing with a mix of excitement and trepidation. As he slid the gleaming ring onto her finger, a strange thought invaded his mind, uninvited and unwelcome. He recalled a different ring, a cheap little trinket he had carelessly tossed to Lola during a moment of frivolity—a freebie that had come with a tie he had bought on a whim. He had handed it over with little thought, but to his surprise, she had worn it religiously, never once removing it, as if it were a precious jewel.

The memory twisted in his stomach, souring the sweet thrill of the proposal. What should have been a moment of unadulterated joy felt suddenly heavy, as if a dark cloud had settled over him, casting a shadow on the bright future he was supposed to be celebrating.

Rose, however, was oblivious to the turmoil brewing within him. She radiated happiness, basking in the warm glow of the attention surrounding them. Her eyes sparkled with delight, reflecting the chorus of congratulations from friends and family, and she reveled in the triumph of finally becoming Mrs. Hudson.

Charlie, feeling increasingly restless and irritable, excused himself from the jubilant crowd, clutching a drink as he slipped away to the quiet solace of the window. The world outside seemed distant and blurred, and by the time the engagement banquet drew to a close, he found himself more than a little intoxicated, the alcohol dulling his senses but amplifying his inner conflict.

As Rose helped him into the car and guided him back home, her touch was gentle yet firm. She settled him into bed, her heart swelling with a mix of love and concern. Just as she turned to leave, Charlie’s slurred voice broke through the haze of alcohol, pulling her back into a moment she had not anticipated.

“Lola… where’s my tomato soup?” he mumbled, the name slipping from his lips like a dagger aimed straight at her heart.

The words struck Rose like a physical blow. For a fleeting moment, anger surged within her, and she considered storming out, leaving him to wallow in his drunken stupor. But then reality crashed down around her. Her family had fallen from grace; she was no longer the cherished princess of her youth. Charlie was her last, best chance at happiness, and she couldn’t afford to act recklessly.

With a deep breath, she steeled herself and turned back toward the kitchen. It was just tomato soup, she reminded herself, a simple dish that should be easy enough to manage. If a housewife like Lola could whip it up, then surely she could too.

Following an online recipe, she diligently worked to put together a pot of soup. The aroma began to fill the kitchen, and after sampling a spoonful, she deemed it passable. With a gentle smile playing on her lips, she returned to the bedroom, hoping to offer him some comfort.

“Charlie, drink some tomato soup before you sleep,” she urged softly. “Otherwise, you’ll wake up with a terrible headache.”

Charlie blinked awake, momentarily disoriented. Seeing Rose by his bedside felt strange, almost foreign. His body reacted instinctively, yearning for Lola’s familiar presence. It took a moment for reality to sink in—he had proposed to Rose just hours ago, a decision that now felt like a weight pressing down on him.

His face darkened as he took his seat, pen in hand, the weight of the moment pressing down on him.

“Once I sign, there’s no going back,” he said, his voice icy. “You really have nothing else to say?”

Unintentionally, he found himself lost in a flood of memories—countless moments of Lola’s presence flooding back to him. For a fleeting instant, he wondered if an apology for yesterday’s harsh words might sway him. Perhaps, if she expressed even a hint of regret, he could be persuaded to reconsider, to ease the division of their assets.

Rose’s heart clenched at the sight of Charlie’s hesitation. She had come prepared for a fight, but it was Charlie himself who seemed to falter. Panic gnawed at her insides as she lowered her gaze, slipping quietly from the room. She would not allow any potential threat to blossom; she would crush it before it had a chance to grow.

Lola, however, refused to engage any further. “I said everything that needed to be said yesterday,” she replied coolly, her voice steady. “Don’t pretend to play the benevolent husband now. Just sign the papers. I don’t have time to waste.”