everything has changed ➺ charles leclerc

twenty-seven - charles

— charles

I RETURN BACK TO MY APARTMENT and find Grace sleeping comfortably on the sofa, holding the blankets up to her chin. Her brunette hair is splayed messily across her face as she takes even breaths.

I make my way next to her on the sofa and take a seat, running my fingers through her hair. I haven't found the right moment to tell her about what I've discovered, but it's time to face the truth. I gently shake her awake, and her eyes flutter open.

"Hey, Grace," I say softly, trying to hide the heaviness in my voice. "We need to talk."

She groggily sits up, rubbing her eyes. "What's wrong, Charlie?" she asks, her voice filled with concern.

I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "I know what really happened in Monza," I say, my voice steady but tinged with disappointment.

Her eyes widen, and a flicker of fear passes through them before she quickly composes herself. "What are you talking about, Charles? We already went through this. It was an accident," she says, her voice laced with defensiveness.

I look at her, my gaze unwavering. "No, Grace, it wasn't an accident. The authorities found evidence that suggests someone started the fire intentionally."

"That's horrible! Do they know who?" She asks innocently.

"They say it's you."

Her face pales, and her eyes dart around nervously. "That's ridiculous, Charles! Why would you accuse me of something like that?" she stammers, her voice tinged with panic.

"Because the evidence doesn't lie, Grace. They found your lighter in the wreckage. It's time for you to be honest with me," I say firmly, my heart sinking as the weight of betrayal settles in.

Grace's eyes fill with desperation as she searches for a way to deny the accusations. "Charles, I... I don't know how that lighter got there. It must be a mistake or planted evidence. I would never do something like that!"

I shake my head, my disappointment and sadness mingling with anger. "I want to believe you, Grace. But the evidence is damning, and I can't ignore it. We need the truth."

She clutches her hands together, her voice pleading. "Please, Charles, you have to believe me. I love you, and I would never do anything to harm you or anyone else. There must be some mistake."

I look into her eyes, torn between the love I once felt for her and the reality of the situation. "Grace, I need the truth. Tell me what really happened that day."

Her shoulders slump, and she takes a deep breath, as if steeling herself for what comes next. "Okay, fine. It was me," she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. "I started the fire."

The words hang heavy in the air, suffocating any hope I had left. My mind swirls with a mix of emotions—betrayal, anger, and a profound sadness. "Why, Grace? Why would you do something like that? People could have died!"

"That was the point!" She looks down, unable to meet my gaze. "I was desperate, Charles. I was sick of Angeli and what she was doing to us– our relationship."

"You're a monster." I spit, looking at her in disdain. My heart shatters into a million pieces as her confession sinks in. The woman I once loved, the person I trusted, had intentionally put lives at risk for her own selfish desires. "I can't believe you would jeopardize innocent lives, just because you were jealous!"

"I warned you Charles! I warned you about what happens when I'm not happy!" She yells exasperatedly. "Guess what? I wasn't happy!"

"I can't believe you!" I yell angrily, running my hands through my hair. "You're so fucking selfish!"