Chapter 31: Johnny, You Son of a Bitch!

Bella confronts her mother, who remains firm in her silence.

“I’m waiting for an answer. What is your relationship with James, Mother?”

“Lovers!” Sebastian Iverson reveals upon arriving in the meeting room.

“That can’t be true. James has always been my father’s right-hand man, his most loyal subordinate.”

“Well, that makes the story even more bizarre, don’t you think, dear daughter-in-law?”

“I thought you were dying, you damn old man.”

“I can’t leave this life without seeing the Hahn family fall apart from the inside out.” Sebastian, even though he’s weak, still insists on adding fuel to the fire.

Bella, in turn, approaches Jimena, who moves away from James a little, trying in frustration to talk about Benjamin’s funeral again.

“We need to get Benjamin out of this place and make preparations to say goodbye to him.”

“All of that will happen. But you didn’t answer my question.”

“James is my lover and I’m sorry, but I don’t regret it. Your father only wanted me as a prize to be shown to others, he humiliated me and no longer loved me, I felt oppressed and unhappy for a long time. James was a relief for my frustrations, for the first time I felt respected and loved.” Jimena vents

“It turns out that your selfishness led to all this shit. Look at your lifeless son thrown in a corner, was that really what you wanted, mom?

“Things got a little out of hand.”

“Are you serious? You single-handedly destroyed our hierarchy.”

“No, daughter! We still have you and me.”

“Interesting you should say that, Jimena. Because when you and I talked about removing Benjamin from power, the only thing you demanded was to maintain your status and I don’t understand why even if Benjamin were in charge he would still maintain your importance for being Anthony Hahn’s widow and mother of the direct heir.”

“I didn’t do it for status and you know it.”

“Shut up! I’ll let you attend Benjamin’s farewell, but afterwards you’ll be isolated and your lover will be killed.”

“You can’t kill me, Bella. I’m the only one who’s on your side, look around you, everyone’s waiting for the opportunity to take you down,” James argues.

“On my side? That’s never happened, James. You’ve always been on my mother’s side, if she turns against me like she did with Benjamin and if she asks you to kill me, we both know you’ll do it without thinking twice because you’re in love.”

“Bella, my daughter, you hurt me by saying that. I would never order or kill you.” Jimena takes her daughter’s hand, who dodges

“What’s the difference between Benjamin and me, mom? Because he wasn’t as cold-blooded as my father? Let me tell you something, I’m not either, because if I were, you’d be dead right now. But my moral principles don’t allow me to do that. What now? Will you also consider me weak and organize another plot with Johnny to remove me from leadership or will you send your lover to kill me?” Bella stared at her mother full of anger and resentment.

“In fact, you are cold-blooded. Weren’t you the one who killed Dylan Kicher at point-blank range even though you said you loved him?”

“That’s right. I had forgotten that you killed your lover because you thought he murdered Anthony Hahn. Poor you!!” Sebastian Iverson provokes

“Dad, there’s a right time for everything and now is not the time. After all, aren’t you having fun with mother and daughter fighting and isn’t that what you came here for?”

“You’re right, Johnny. I’m going to sit down and shut up for now.”

“What is this damn old man talking about, Johnny?” Bella turns to her husband who changes the subject

“The ambulance has arrived to take your brother’s body and I’ve already called a team to clean up everything around here.”

“Okay. Thanks!”

“Don’t thank that bastard, he’s to blame for everything.” Jimena gets angry

“Just like you. Don’t pretend to be innocent, you’re just as guilty as Johnny. But right now I don’t have the strength to fight with any of you.” Bella cries as she sees her brother being placed on a stretcher to be taken to the hospital for all the preparations.”

“Bella, you accompany Benjamin’s body and I’ll go home to choose the clothes and whatever else I need.”

“You’re unbelievable, Jimena Fiori.” Bella calls her mother by her maiden name, which surprises everyone.

“Please, don’t take this away from me. Let me say goodbye to my son in my own way.” Jimena begs and Bella just leaves with the team of nurses who were carrying Benjamin’s body.

“Oh my, Jimena, she ignored you. I think you lost not only Benjamin, but Bella too.” Johnny smiles mockingly, feeling the hateful look of the woman who tries to attack her son-in-law, but James stops her by grabbing her hand.

“It’s not worth it. Come on, I’ll take you home.” James hugs his beloved’s body and leaves with her.

During the entire journey back home, Jimena cried uncontrollably, leaving James worried:

“I’ve never seen you like this. Stay calm!”

“I failed, James. Everything I planned went wrong. My son is dead and my daughter hates me.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you until my last breath.” James smiles, taking Jimena’s hand.

“Oh James! You’re so sweet. I don’t deserve you.”

At home, Jimena goes straight to her son's room, but stops in front of the door, gathering the courage to go in. She takes a deep breath, opens the door and takes slow steps until she finally enters the room. She walks around there, looking at Benjamin's things, until she stops at an old action figure that Anthony gave him when he was 3 years old. She remembers her son's smile when he came to her to show her his new toy. She also remembers the pain and happiness she felt the day Benjamin was born, and the last words she heard from his. It was at that moment that Jimena screams out her pain very loudly and James comes to her aid, finding her sitting on the floor crying, hugging of the Benjamin doll. Some of the employees also come to the room and whisper among themselves what was happening, and Jimena simply answers:

"Benjamin is dead."

Everyone is surprised, some cry, others are still processing the news, but the fact is that everyone is saddened by the news because Benjamin has always been a boss who was loved by everyone.

"Get up, Jimena! They are all scared by your attitude."

“Fuck it! It’s my fault. I’m scared, James. It’s all gotten out of hand.” Jimena continues to cry on the floor until James helps her up.

“Think about it later. Now you have to pack Benjamin’s best clothes and take them to him.”

“Okay!” She walks to Benjamin’s closet, choosing a beige suit with a black shirt and tie and the black “Fedora” hat he loved to wear, heading towards his messy bed.

“That 35-year-old boy still has the habit of not making his bed. You must have suffered, Anna.” Jimena looks at the maid who was in tears.

"Not much, ma’am.” The maid responds, watching Jimena carefully make her son’s bed and then placing the chosen clothes on top.

“If you want, you can go to the cemetery and say goodbye to your playful boss.”

“Thank you, ma’am!” The servants bow a little as a way of thanking him while Jimena goes to her room, intending to take a shower and get ready. She receives a call from one of Bella’s subordinates informing her that Benjamin’s burial would be the next day at 9:00 am. Jimena turns off her cell phone, trying to rest, but she can’t.

The next day, at the appointed time, many people were at the cemetery to say goodbye to Benjamin. Jimena and Bella threw white roses on the coffin as they were being lowered, and Jimena, not seeing her grandson, asked about him.

“I sent him to New York with Susan. When everything is over here, I’ll meet him.”

“You shouldn’t have done that. Théo would be safer here by your side.”

“You’re in no condition to lecture me. This whole shit is your fault too.” Bella walked away, and Johnny took the opportunity to talk to his wife. He was holding a folder in his hand, and as he hugged her, he whispered:

“If you don’t want your son to die, sign this document giving me control of everything.”

“Johnny, you son of a bitch!”