Chapter 4 - The Truth About the FireThe investigation concluded the fire wasn't accidental.
Someone had entered the house shortly before the blaze.
The police found traces of accelerant.
Frank was questioned.
So was Samantha.
So was Charlotte.
Charlotte answered every question.
Then she handed investigators the photographs she had taken.
She had photographed the house before the fire.
She had photographed the condition of the doors.
The windows.
The electrical panel.
Everything.
The investigators asked why.
Charlotte answered honestly.
“Because I didn't trust my husband anymore.”
The case changed immediately.
Detectives discovered security footage from a nearby business.
A vehicle had stopped near the house.
The driver was not Frank.
It was someone connected to Samantha.
Samantha was arrested two days later.
Frank was stunned.
“She did this?”
The detective nodded.
“She wanted the house.”
Frank closed his eyes.
He had promised Samantha everything.
She had believed him.
And when she discovered he couldn't deliver, she decided to take it herself.
But the investigation uncovered something even worse.
Samantha had been communicating with Frank's financial adviser.
They had been planning to move assets out of the marriage for almost a year.
Frank hadn't known about the scale.
Charlotte had.
The envelope from December contained evidence of the attempted transfers.
She had discovered them months earlier.
She simply hadn't confronted him.
Instead, she had waited.
Not for revenge.
For clarity.
Her lawyer explained that Charlotte could pursue civil damages.
She refused at first.
Then she changed her mind.
Not because she wanted money.
Because she wanted accountability.
Samantha faced criminal charges.
Frank wasn't charged with arson.
But he was questioned extensively about the financial scheme.
And then Charlotte received a call.
It was Frank.
“Can I see you?”
“No.”
“Please.”
“No.”
“I need to explain.”
“You explained yourself in the hospital.”
Silence.
“I didn't know she would do that.”
Charlotte closed her eyes.
“You didn't know she was dangerous?”
“No.”
“You didn't know she was using you?”
“No.”
“You didn't know she wanted my home?”
“I thought—”
“You thought I was furniture.”
Frank stopped.
Charlotte's voice softened.
“That was the most honest thing you ever said.”
“I was wrong.”
“Yes.”
“I was sick.”
“You were selfish.”
“I was afraid.”
“You were cruel.”
He had no response.
Finally, he whispered:
“Did you really save my life?”
Charlotte almost laughed.
“Yes, Frank.”
“I don't deserve it.”
“No.”
Another silence.
“Can I at least thank you?”
Charlotte looked out the window.
“You can thank me by staying away.”
Then she ended the call.
She didn't hate him.
That surprised her.
Hate required energy.
May you like
Charlotte had spent twenty-two years giving Frank her energy.
She wasn't giving him another minute.
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