Chapter 84: Oliver's confession and DK's fury.

While Rebecca and Johnny toasted their supposed victory at the Hahn mansion in Miami, another drama was unfolding in Manhattan. Six ambulances, their sirens echoing through the streets of Queens, arrived at the Medical Examiner's Office carrying "bodies" that the cameras recorded being removed on stretchers. It was all part of Bella's meticulous plan.

A team was already waiting at the scene, including Captain Alice Rogers. Bella extended her hand to Alice with a sincere smile.

"Thank you so much for everything, Alice. We couldn't have done it without your help."

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Bella," the Captain replied, returning the handshake firmly.

"Your money will be delivered as we agreed, discreetly, so as not to arouse suspicion."

"Understood. Thank you again." Alice looked at her watch and sighed. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go. My mother is hospitalized nearby, and I'm already late for visiting hours."

"Sure, good luck with her," Bella wished, exchanging a knowing look with Dylan, who made it clear that they would not forget the Captain's favor.

Meanwhile, inside the IML, the group waited for the dust to settle before taking any action. Bella, practical, had already asked Josiah to provide two cars.

"I'm going to Miami today and I'll put an end to this situation," Dylan declared impatiently.

"I don't recommend you do that," Bella warned categorically. "In fact, I don't think it's wise to even go back to Miami today."

"And what do you suggest?"

"Let's all go to my apartment for now. We can discuss the next steps calmly there."

Before Dylan could answer, Carter interrupted: "Excuse me, what about me? What should I do? For society, and even for my family, I'm dead. I can't go back to the hospital where I worked, or tell my parents that I'm alive. Please explain to me, what should I do?"

Luke made a sarcastic comment: "Wow, what a drama."

Bella glared at him before pulling Carter aside for a private conversation.

"I'm sorry I dragged you into this, Carter. But I hope you understand that it was necessary. As for your life in the hospital or with your family, it's only a matter of time. It's dangerous for your parents to know that you're alive. Rebecca and Johnny are capable of anything, and that includes hurting them. It's for their own good, too."

"How can it be for their own good to mourn the death of a son who's alive?" Carter countered, his voice full with indignation.

"And what do you suggest? Go back to your house and pretend nothing happened? That's not possible. It's risky."

"So I'm a prisoner now?"

"You're not a prisoner," Bella replied patiently. "You just can't go back to your normal life until we figure this out. This is temporary."

Carter hesitated before asking, more quietly, "What about the two of us? Was there ever an 'us'?"

"Of course," Bella admitted, with a brief smile. "For four days, I thought we existed. Until I realized that we are from completely different worlds. You are an incredible man, handsome, kind, and you deserve a woman who is less complicated than me."

"Can't we try again?"

Bella shook her head. "No. We have opposite personalities. If we continued together, you would, at some point, ask me to stop doing what I do. And I... well, I would have to kill you."

She ended the conversation and returned to where the group was gathered. At that moment, Oliver finally woke up.

"Sleeping Beauty has finally woken up!" DK joked, laughing as he approached the counselor.

Still dazed, Oliver blinked a few times before focusing on the leader. When he managed to speak, his voice was full of guilt: "This whole tragedy is my fault."

"What are you saying, Oliver? There is no way this is your fault. You didn't sabotage the plane," DK replied, visibly worried. "think he still confused. I'll summon Carter to check him out."

Before DK could leave, Oliver stopped him. "I knew Rebecca and Johnny were together. And yet I let her go that day." DK froze, disbelief written all over his face. "What?"

That Christmas Eve, Oliver finally revealed what had been tormenting him so much. He explained that Ed had sent him compromising photos of Rebecca and Johnny at the most exclusive luxury nightclub in Miami. The images were received as a clear message, but at the time, Oliver chose to ignore the signs, despite having suspected Rebecca's strange behavior for some time. DK, furious, could not contain his anger. With a quick movement, he grabbed Oliver by the shirt and threw punches that cracked in the air. Oliver did not react, accepting the punishment as if he agreed with it. It took Bella to order Mackenzie and Luke to hold DK back to stop him from continuing. "I warned you, this sick love would still end in shit," Bella snapped, trying to regain control of the situation. "Enough, Dylan! Oliver is already humiliated enough," she finished, her voice firm.

"Humiliated? Bella, you, Theo and Susan could have died! Three innocent people really died in this tragedy. All because of this..." DK gestured aggressively, still beside himself.

"Stay calm!" Bella replied, as she handed over the glass of water that Theo had brought. 

"I know all this, but I also know how faithful Oliver is to you. He never imagined Rebecca would go this far. And, if we're being honest, neither did you. So, breathe and think calmly about what you're going to do."

"He's a fool in love! How could he ever let his wife go away for love?" DK shouted, full of contempt.

Bella stared at him, her eyebrows raised. "If that's the case, you're a fool in love too, Dylan. Why are you here? Why did you almost die?"

DK looked at her deeply, his gaze filled with something that made Bella's heart race dangerously.

"It's different," he murmured.

"It's not, and you know it. It's the same principle. Please forgive Oliver. I'm sure he's learned his lesson. He'll never do it again."

DK hesitated, his wounded pride evident in his expression. "I don't know. I need to think about it."

Later, in the early hours of the morning, Debby and Simon arrived to take the group to Bella's apartment. The subordinates followed behind in escort formation. During the journey, the heavy silence between DK and Oliver was almost unbearable, especially for Carter, who was sitting between them.

"Why do you act like this? You're partners. DK, who hasn't made a mistake for love? Even you have," Carter tried to break the ice, but the result was a glare from both of them.

"Shut up!" DK and Oliver said in unison.

When they finally reached the building, Carter sighed in relief and quickly approached Bella, preferring to distance himself from the tension. She, sensing his discomfort, decided not to comment.

Inside the apartment, Bella and Theo gave directions to the rooms and showed them the guest room where Dylan, Oliver, and Carter would be staying. The atmosphere seemed to be starting to settle until the doorbell rang. Everyone tensed, exchanging silent glances. Simon drew his gun, waiting for a signal from Bella. She nodded, and he cautiously opened the door. "Hello, Miss Hahn. Long time no see," the man on the other side said, with an enigmatic smile. "Isak Diaz?!" Bella exclaimed, the surprise evident on her face.