114

114
The room was cold, metallic, and fluorescent-lit, the kind of place designed to make you feel small.
Carolina sat alone at the bolted-down table, her wrists free now but still bearing faint red lines from the tight handcuffs. Her hair was disheveled from the scuffle, and one side of her cheek still stung faintly from Beth’s slap, now visible as a faint pink welt.

The door clicked, and she looked up quickly, eyes wary, breath held.
A man in a dark suit stepped inside, briefcase in one hand, calm authority in his posture. He had the composed energy of someone who’d been in and out of police stations for years, but the warmth in his eyes made him approachable.

“Carolina?”
She looked up quickly, eyes red but alert.
“Yes.”
“I’m Julius Mercer. I’m here on behalf of Devon Langston. He contacted me personally, said you’re in a very dangerous situation, and asked me to do whatever it takes to protect you.”

Relief flickered across her face, but it was tangled with the ache of humiliation.
“Devon sent you?” Carolina blinked.
“He did,” Julius said, setting his briefcase on the table as he sat across from her. “He told me everything you’ve been doing — about the imposter in the mansion, about the phone, the accusations. He believes you, Carolina. So do I. Katherine also filled me in on everything she knows. So from this point on, don’t hold anything back. Whatever you tell me stays between us, and it’s the only way I can build the strongest defense for you. Understood?”

She nodded, her throat tightening. “Yes.”
“Good. Now, tell me exactly what happened, starting with that necklace.”

Carolina inhaled shakily and recounted everything — from being asked to serve lunch in his room at first, to the wrapped box on the table, the diamond necklace inside, his confession, his attempted advance, and her rejection.
“And you’re certain this man is not the real Kingsley Rowe?”
“Yes,” she said firmly. “He looks like him, but he’s not him. The real Kingsley wouldn’t say those things. He wouldn’t look at me like that. He didn’t even recognize me, but the real Kingsley knows me.”

Julius leaned forward, speaking carefully. “And after that?”
“Later that day, Beth suddenly accused me of stealing that same necklace. Said I tried to seduce her husband. She slapped me, kicked me, and publicly dragged me through the house like a criminal. I couldn’t even defend myself before the police came.”

Julius jotted notes quickly. “Did anyone else witness the gift exchange?”
“No. It was just the two of us. But… he smiled at me when they took me. He set me up, Mr. Mercer. I swear to God, he did it on purpose. Because I said no.”

He paused, pen hovering midair.
“Did you get the phone?” he asked.
Carolina looked up. “Yes.”
Julius allowed himself a faint smile. “Good. Because that might just be our golden ticket. If the hacker Devon hired pulls everything successfully from Beth’s phone, we might get texts, calls, photos — anything tying her to this impersonation scheme or proving intent to frame you.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh my God… the hacker. He would’ve sent the data by now. But I don’t have my phone. The police seized everything when I was booked. It’s probably in an evidence locker somewhere. But the moment I get it back, I can check the server link he gave me. All the synced data — texts, messages, call logs, maybe even Beth’s location history — everything should be there. That’s our proof.”

“Then I need to get you out of here fast,” Julius said, standing. “We’re requesting bail tonight. Katherine’s already waiting at the precinct. She hasn’t left your side since this happened.”
Carolina swallowed hard, her eyes filling. “Can you tell her thank you? And Devon too? I thought… I thought I messed everything up. I didn’t expect all this?”

Julius closed his briefcase with a snap and stepped toward the door. “You didn’t mess anything up. You’re uncovering a massive conspiracy. This wasn’t a misstep — it was a brave move. And I’m going to make sure the world sees it that way.”

He gave her a small nod.
“We’ll have you out of here soon. Just hang in there.”

As he knocked for the guard, Carolina leaned back in the chair, exhausted but no longer alone.
Hope was stirring.
And the truth was coming.

The precinct’s waiting area buzzed with a low current of movement — officers weaving in and out, suspects being walked past, and the occasional sharp ring of the front desk phone. But Katherine sat still, her hands clasped together in her lap, eyes trained on the hallway that led toward the holding cells.

She hadn’t moved since she arrived.
The vending machine behind her flickered softly, casting faint blue light across the glossy floor. The air felt too cold, the ticking clock on the wall too loud.

Then the door creaked open.
Julius Mercer stepped out calmly, his coat folded neatly over one arm, briefcase in hand. The moment Katherine saw him, she stood.
“Well?” she asked, voice barely holding back the tight knot of worry in her chest.

He gave a small, reassuring smile. “Good news. I’ve submitted the bail request and had it expedited. It was approved just a few minutes ago. I’ve handled the payment — Devon insisted — so Carolina’s being processed for release right now. She should be out here any minute.”
Katherine’s hands flew to her chest as she exhaled deeply. “Oh, thank God…”
“She’s okay, Katherine,” Julius added gently. “Scared, yes. Shaken. But she’s holding on. And she’s sharp — she gave me everything I needed to begin building her defense. The moment she’s out, I’ll take you both somewhere quiet so we can talk properly.”

Katherine nodded, eyes misting. “You have no idea how much this means to both of us. She’s like my sister. She did all this for Kingsley.”
Julius’s expression turned serious for a beat. “Then she’s already braver than most.”

Just then, the hallway door clicked again behind him. A uniformed officer opened it from the inside. Julius turned, gesturing with a hand.
“She’s here.”

Carolina stepped out.
Worn, tired, but standing tall.
The moment Katherine saw her, she bolted forward without thinking. “Carolina!” she cried.

Carolina barely had a second to react before Katherine threw her arms around her, holding her tight.
Tears sprang to Katherine’s eyes as her hands clutched the back of Carolina’s coat. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “I’m really, really sorry that I put you through this. I dragged you into something dangerous. I risked your life, and you don’t deserve that. You didn’t ask for any of this.”

Carolina held her just as tightly, closing her eyes for a moment to let the warmth of that embrace soak into her exhausted body. “It’s okay,” she said softly, pulling back just enough to look Katherine in the eye. “You didn’t put me through anything. I chose this.”
“But—”
“No, listen,” Carolina said, gently touching Katherine’s shoulder. “Imagine you hadn’t told me anything. Imagine I’d kept my head down, just done my chores. Kingsley would still be in danger — maybe worse. He’s your love, Katherine, and he’s our friend. He’s been good to Devon too. This was the right thing. I would do it again.”

Katherine’s lips trembled. “You could’ve gone to prison. You were humiliated. That slap… they set you up.”
Carolina nodded, her face tightening with the memory, but her voice remained calm. “And I’ll heal.”

Just then, Julius approached them with a clipboard and a firm expression. “Carolina,” he said gently, “there’s something you need to know before you leave.”
The two women turned toward him.
“You’ve been released on bail, but the charges haven’t been dropped yet. Which means you’re not exactly free. You can’t leave Manhattan. You’ll be required to wear an ankle monitor for tracking, and you must remain within the city limits until the court date. That was the condition for your release.”

Carolina’s breath caught. “I… I can’t leave Manhattan?”
“I’m afraid not,” Julius said. “And you’ll need to provide proof of residence here. I’m sorry — that was the only way I could negotiate your bail.”

Carolina’s shoulders slumped. “But my job…” she said quietly. “I was only given two weeks off. That time’s up. If I don’t go back soon, I’ll lose my job. I don’t even have anywhere to stay in Manhattan. God, this is just too much.”
Her voice cracked at the edges. Her hands trembled slightly.

But before the silence could stretch further, Katherine stepped forward. “Hey,” she said quickly, urgently. “It’s okay. I know a short-term apartment rental nearby. They rent monthly. I’ll pay for it, and I’ll stay with you. I’m not letting you go through this alone.”
Carolina looked up at her, startled. “Katherine…”
“I mean it. This is on me. You stepped into danger for me — for Kingsley. The least I can do is stay beside you while we sort this out. I’m so, so sorry for everything. Please let me do this.”

Carolina blinked hard, emotions catching in her throat, but she nodded slowly. “Okay,” she whispered. “Thank you.”
And then something shifted in her eyes — stronger now, firmer.
“But guess what?” she said, her voice suddenly laced with fire.
Katherine looked at her curiously. “What?”
“I succeeded.” Carolina pulled her phone out of her coat pocket. “It’s all here. The hacker sent it. The evidence — messages, locations, photos, everything from Beth’s phone — it’s sitting in my inbox.”
Katherine’s eyes widened. “You’re serious?”
“We’re going to find Kingsley,” Carolina said firmly, her jaw tightening. “And we’re going to bring him home.”

The two women stood together, the city whirling around them, but in that moment, all that mattered was what they had and what came next.
They weren’t just hoping anymore.
Now, they had proof.
Now, the real rescue could begin.