Over the next week, Berlin and Karlos put their plan into action.
First, they leaked a fake story to the press saying that Karlos was too injured to run the company anymore. They made it sound like the Wayne Corporation was falling apart.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Mrs. Lydia asked nervously. "People will think we're weak."
"That's exactly what we want them to think," Berlin explained. "If our enemy thinks we're defeated, they'll get careless. They'll make a mistake."
Sure enough, the plan started to work. More clients canceled their contracts. The Wayne Corporation's stock price dropped. Everyone was talking about the "fall of the Wayne empire."
And then, exactly as Berlin predicted, they got a message.
It was delivered to their hotel room by a mysterious courier. The envelope was expensive-looking, with no return address. Inside was a single piece of paper:
"Congratulations on your impending bankruptcy. I look forward to buying your company for pennies on the dollar. - A friend"
Karlos read the note and smiled. "They took the bait."
"Now what?" Prissy asked.
"Now we wait," Karlos said. "Whoever sent this will make their move soon. And when they do, we'll be ready."
But Berlin felt uneasy. Something about this felt too easy. In her past life, whenever things seemed to be going well, disaster always followed.
She was right to worry.
That night, Berlin woke up to find Karlos's bed empty. She checked the bathroom, but he wasn't there.
"Karlos?" she called softly. No answer.
Berlin felt panic rising in her chest. Where could he be? He was still recovering from his injuries!
She got dressed quickly and went looking for him. The hospital hallways were dark and quiet at night.
Finally, she found him on the roof of the hospital, standing near the edge and talking on his phone.
"Yes, I understand," Karlos was saying. "Tomorrow night. I'll be there alone."
Berlin's heart sank. Who was he talking to? And why did he have to be alone?
She stepped back, not wanting him to know she'd been listening. But as she turned, she bumped into a trash can.
CRASH!
Karlos spun around. "Berlin? What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," Berlin said. "Who were you talking to?"
Karlos hesitated. "It's... complicated."
"Try me," Berlin said, crossing her arms.
Karlos sighed. "I got a message. Someone says they know who's behind all the attacks on our family. They want to meet me tomorrow night to tell me everything."
"And you were going to go alone?" Berlin asked angrily. "Karlos, that's obviously a trap!"
"I know it might be," Karlos said. "But what if it's real? What if this person really does have information that could help us?"
"Then take guards with you!" Berlin said. "Or better yet, let the police handle it!"
"I can't," Karlos said. "The message said if I bring anyone else, they won't show up. This might be our only chance to find out the truth."
Berlin wanted to argue more, but she could see the determination in Karlos's eyes. He had made up his mind.
"Fine," Berlin said. "But I'm going with you."
"Berlin, no—"
"I'm not arguing about this," Berlin said firmly. "If you're walking into danger, I'm walking into it with you. That's what marriage means."
Karlos looked at her for a long moment. Then he pulled her close and kissed her forehead.
"Alright," he said softly. "We'll go together."
The next night, Berlin and Karlos drove to the meeting place. It was an old warehouse on the edge of the city - dark, abandoned, and perfect for an ambush.
"I don't like this," Berlin said as they parked the car. "This feels wrong."
"Stay close to me," Karlos said. "If anything happens, run."
"I'm not leaving you," Berlin said.
They walked into the warehouse together. It was empty except for some old boxes and broken machinery. Their footsteps echoed in the huge space.
"Hello?" Karlos called out. "I'm here! Show yourself!"
For a moment, there was silence. Then a voice spoke from the shadows.
"Right on time, nephew."
Lights suddenly turned on, temporarily blinding them. When Berlin's eyes adjusted, she gasped.
Standing in front of them was Mr. Mathew Caldwell. And beside him were Mrs. Matilda, Tasha, and... no, it couldn't be!
"Mom?" Berlin whispered in shock.
Standing there, very much alive, was Berlin's mother - Barbara Morgan. The woman Berlin thought had died of cancer years ago!
"Surprise, baby girl," Barbara said with a cruel smile. "Did you miss me?"
Berlin felt like the world was spinning. "But... but you're dead! I went to your funeral!"
"You went to a funeral, yes," Barbara said. "But the body in that coffin wasn't mine. I've been alive this whole time, watching you, waiting for the right moment."
"Why?" Berlin asked, tears streaming down her face. "Why would you do this to me?"
Barbara's face twisted with old pain and anger. "Why? You want to know why?" She laughed bitterly. "Because I spent my entire life being second place to that woman!"
She pointed at Karlos with hatred. "Your precious husband's mother - Lydia Wayne - stole the love of my life from me!"
Berlin stared in shock. "What are you talking about?"
"I was in love with Karlos's father first!" Barbara screamed, her composure finally breaking. "Richard Wayne was mine! We were young, we were happy, we were going to get married! But then HE met Lydia at some fancy party, and suddenly I wasn't good enough anymore!"
Mrs. Lydia's voice came from behind them. She had followed them secretly with the police. "Barbara, that's not what happened—"
"SHUT UP!" Barbara yelled. "You had everything! The perfect family, the perfect life, the perfect husband! While I had nothing! I watched you live MY life! Raise MY children! Sleep in MY bed!"
Karlos stepped forward. "My father chose my mother because he loved her. Not because—"
"He chose her because she was rich and I was poor!" Barbara interrupted. "Because her family had connections and mine didn't! Because in this world, love doesn't matter. Only money and power!"
"So you decided to destroy us," Karlos said quietly. "To take revenge on a man who's been dead for five years."
"Yes!" Barbara said. "And the best part? I used YOUR daughter to do it!" She turned to Berlin with a cruel smile. "Do you know how easy it was to manipulate you, Berlin? How simple it was to push you into marrying into the Wayne family? You were so desperate for my approval, so hungry for love, you would have done anything I asked!"
Berlin felt like she couldn't breathe. "You... you planned this from the beginning?"
"Of course I did," Barbara said. "When Mrs. Lydia came to me years ago, suggesting you marry Karlos as part of some old arrangement, I couldn't believe my luck! My daughter, married to Richard Wayne's son? It was perfect! I would finally have access to the Wayne fortune, and I could destroy them from the inside!"
"The money is just a bonus," Barbara continued, her eyes gleaming with madness. "What I really want is to watch Lydia suffer the way I suffered. To watch her lose everything, just like I did!"
"You're insane," Mrs. Lydia said softly, stepping into the light.
"Maybe," Barbara shrugged. "But I'm going to win. And you know what the best part is, Berlin?" She walked closer to her daughter. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?"
Berlin's jaw clenched. "What do you mean?"
"Look at you," Barbara said mockingly. "You married a man who doesn't really love you. Just like I did with your father. You think Karlos cares about you? Please! He's probably still in love with Tasha. Men like him always go back to their first love."
She leaned in close and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear. "It's only a matter of time before he leaves you, just like Richard left me. You're living my life all over again, Berlin. And you're too stupid to see it!"
"That's enough!" Karlos said, his voice hard as steel. He pulled Berlin behind him protectively. "You don't know anything about our marriage."
"Don't I?" Barbara laughed. "I know that Tasha's been sharing his bed for years. I know that you're just a convenient wife, a business arrangement. History repeats itself, Berlin! Your husband will break your heart just like his father broke mine!"
Berlin felt tears running down her face, but she refused to look away. "You're wrong," she said, her voice shaking but determined. "Karlos is nothing like that. And I'm nothing like you!"
"We'll see," Barbara said with a smirk. "Give it time. When he gets bored of playing house with you, when Tasha comes crawling back with tears in her eyes, we'll see who he chooses. And when he breaks your heart, remember - I told you so!"
"So you've been trying to kill me to get revenge on my dead father?" Karlos said, bringing the conversation back. "And you brought the Caldwells into this?"
"It was easy," Mr. Mathew said, stepping forward. "Barbara contacted me years ago. She knew about the old agreement between me and your father. We both wanted the same thing - to destroy the Wayne family and take everything you have."
"And the money will be nice too," Mrs. Matilda added happily. "Once we crash your company and buy it for pennies, we'll all be even richer than before!"
"Plus I get my revenge," Barbara said with satisfaction. "Watching Lydia lose her son, her company, her reputation - everything she stole from me - will be worth more than all the money in the world!"
"There's just one problem with your plan," Berlin said, her voice getting stronger despite her tears. "You told us everything. And we recorded it."
She held up her phone, which had been recording the entire conversation.
The smile disappeared from Barbara's face. "You little—"
"And we're not alone," Karlos added.
Suddenly, police officers appeared from every corner of the warehouse. They had been hiding, waiting for the confession.
"Mathew Caldwell, Matilda Caldwell, Barbara Morgan, Tasha Bane - you're all under arrest," one officer announced.
"No!" Barbara screamed. "This isn't how it's supposed to end! I was supposed to win! Lydia was supposed to suffer!"
She lunged at Berlin, but Karlos stepped in front and caught her. The police quickly handcuffed Barbara and the others.
"You think you've won?" Barbara screamed as they dragged her away. "You haven't! That boy will break your heart, Berlin! Just wait! Men like him always do! You're going to end up broken and alone, just like I was! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!"
"Stop it, Barbara!" Mrs. Lydia said, her voice full of pain. "I'm sorry Richard hurt you. I'm sorry things turned out the way they did. But destroying innocent people won't change the past!"
"Innocent?" Barbara laughed hysterically. "None of you are innocent! You took everything from me! Everything!"
As they were being led away, Tasha turned and looked at Berlin one last time.
"Your mother is right about one thing," Tasha said sadly. "Karlos did love me once. And maybe, deep down, he still does. Can you really compete with that, Berlin?"
Berlin looked at Karlos, her heart full of doubt and fear. What if her mother was right? What if this was all temporary?
But Karlos squeezed her hand and said firmly to Tasha, "I loved the idea of you. But I love the reality of Berlin. There's a difference."
Tasha looked down and didn't say anything else.
After everyone was arrested and taken away, Berlin and Karlos stood in the warehouse with Mrs. Lydia and Prissy, who had arrived with the police.
Berlin was shaking. Karlos put his arms around her, but she pulled away slightly.
"Berlin?" he asked, concerned.
"Is it true?" Berlin whispered. "Did your father break my mother's heart?"
Mrs. Lydia stepped forward, her eyes full of sadness. "Yes," she said quietly. "It's true. Richard and Barbara were together when they were young. But Berlin, it wasn't the way she described it."
"Then how was it?" Berlin asked.
Mrs. Lydia sighed. "Richard met Barbara when they were both eighteen. They dated for about a year. But Richard told me that Barbara was... obsessive. She was jealous, controlling, always accusing him of looking at other women. He tried to end things several times, but she wouldn't let go."
"So you stole him from her," Berlin said, her mother's words echoing in her mind.
"No," Mrs. Lydia said firmly. "Richard and I met after he had already broken up with Barbara. He was clear about that. He told me on our first date that he had an ex-girlfriend who was having trouble accepting that it was over. I suggested he wait, that we shouldn't date until he had resolved things with her. But he said there was nothing to resolve - he had broken up with her, and he wanted to move on."
"But my mother loved him," Berlin said.
"I know," Mrs. Lydia said gently. "And I'm sorry for her pain. But Berlin, your mother's version of love was unhealthy. She wanted to own Richard, to control him. When he chose me, she couldn't accept that sometimes people just... aren't right for each other."
Berlin felt tears streaming down her face. "She faked her own death. She let me cry at her funeral. She let me grieve for her all these years, all so she could get revenge on your family."
"She's sick, Berlin," Mrs. Lydia said softly. "Not physically, but in her heart and mind. What Richard did - or didn't do - doesn't excuse what she's done to you."
"And what about what she said about me?" Berlin asked, looking at Karlos. "What if she's right? What if you'll leave me too?"
Karlos cupped her face in his hands. "Berlin, look at me."
Berlin looked up at him, her eyes full of tears and doubt.
"I'm not my father," Karlos said firmly. "And you're not your mother. We're not repeating their story. We're writing our own."
"But Tasha—" Berlin started.
"Tasha was a mistake," Karlos interrupted. "A relationship based on convenience and habit, not real love. But you, Berlin? You're different. You're brave, kind, selfless. You risked your life to save my mother. You ran into a burning building to save a child you didn't even know. You fought for our family when everyone else gave up."
He wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Your mother is wrong. The apple DID fall far from the tree. You're nothing like her. You're so much better."
"How can you be sure?" Berlin whispered.
"Because I know you," Karlos said. "And I love you. Not the idea of you. Not a memory of you. But the real, actual you. And I'm never letting you go."
Berlin looked into his eyes and saw nothing but truth and love. Slowly, she let herself relax into his embrace.
Mrs. Lydia joined their embrace, and Prissy wiped tears from her own eyes as she watched.
"I'm sorry about Barbara," Mrs. Lydia said to Berlin. "I'm sorry that my happiness with Richard caused her so much pain. And I'm sorry that pain poisoned her heart and made her hurt you."
"It's not your fault, Mom," Berlin said. "She made her choices. Just like I'm making mine. And I choose this family. I choose Karlos. I choose love over revenge."
"Let's go home," Mrs. Lydia said softly. "We all need rest."
The drive back to the Wayne mansion was quiet. Berlin sat in the back seat with Karlos, her head resting on his shoulder, but her mind was far away. Her mother's words kept echoing in her head.
"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
"He'll leave you just like Richard left me."
"History repeats itself."
When they arrived at the mansion, Mrs. Lydia kissed them both goodnight and went to her room. Prissy hugged Berlin tightly before disappearing down the hallway.
Berlin and Karlos walked to their room in silence. Once inside, Berlin went straight to the window and stared out at the dark gardens.
"Berlin," Karlos said softly. "Talk to me."
"I can't stop thinking about what she said," Berlin whispered. "What if she's right? What if I'm destined to repeat her mistakes?"
Karlos walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You're not your mother."
"But what if the pattern repeats anyway?" Berlin turned in his arms to face him. "What if one day you wake up and realize Tasha was the one you really wanted all along?"
"That's never going to happen," Karlos said firmly.
"How do you know?" Berlin asked, her voice breaking. "My mother loved your father with all her heart, and he still chose someone else. What makes me different?"
Karlos took her face in his hands and looked deep into her eyes. "Because I'm not choosing you over someone else, Berlin. I'm choosing you. Period. There's no competition. There's no comparison. There's just you."
"Karlos—"
"Let me show you," he whispered, his thumb gently stroking her cheek. "Let me prove to you that what we have is real."
Before Berlin could respond, Karlos leaned down and captured her lips in a soft, tender kiss. It was different from their other kisses - this one was full of promise and reassurance.
Berlin melted into the kiss, her arms wrapping around his neck as she pulled him closer. All her doubts, all her fears, seemed to fade away when she was in his arms.
Karlos deepened the kiss, his tongue gently requesting entrance, which Berlin granted willingly. His hands moved from her face to her waist, pulling her body flush against his.
"I need you to believe me," Karlos murmured against her lips. "I need you to trust that I'm not going anywhere."
"Show me," Berlin whispered back. "Make me believe it.".
Everything happened so fast and before she could say his name, he had already carried her bridal style and began to walk in the direction of the bed.
He laid her down gently, his body covering hers as he kissed her deeply.
"I love you, Berlin Wayne," he said, looking into her eyes. "Not because you're convenient. Not because of some arrangement. But because you're you. Because you're brave and kind and beautiful and strong."
His hands moved to the buttons of her blouse, slowly undoing them one by one. "Because you ran into a burning building to save my mother." Another button. "Because you stood up to your own mother even when it broke your heart." Another button. "Because you chose love when you could have chosen hate."
Berlin's breath hitched as he slipped the blouse off her shoulders. "Karlos..."
"I'm going to spend the rest of my life proving to you that you're the only one I want," he whispered, his lips trailing down her neck. "The only one I need."
His hands were gentle but firm as they explored her body, removing her clothes piece by piece.
"You're beautiful," Karlos murmured, his eyes dark with desire as he looked at her. "So beautiful."
Berlin reached up and pulled him down for another kiss, her fingers working at the buttons of his shirt. She needed to feel his skin against hers, needed the connection, the reassurance that this was real.
When his shirt was off, Berlin ran her hands over his chest, feeling the hard muscles beneath her palms. "I love you too," she whispered. "I'm just scared."
"Don't be scared," Karlos said, his hand cupping her breast gently. "I've got you. I'll always have you."
He kissed her again, deeper this time, more passionate. His thumb brushed over her nipple, making her gasp into his mouth.
"Karlos, please," Berlin whispered, arching into his touch.
"Are you sure?" he asked softly. "We can stop if—"
"Don't stop," Berlin said, pulling him closer. "Please don't stop. I need you."
Karlos kissed her deeply.
Each touch was reverent,
In other to help her relax, he leaned back down on her and kissed her on her cheek then moved down to her neck, kissing and sucking on her skin.
Berlin gasped at the sensation, her fingers digging into his shoulders.
Just as he had anticipated, Berlin soon began to relax to his kisses and her body became less tensed.
Her body was yielding to his every touch and melting into it.
Regardless, Karlos still kept up with it and then positioned his dick again at her entrance.
"It's going to be okay, " Karlos whispered in her ears as he began to push his dick into her slowly.
Berlin nodded but the moment she felt him press into her, her lips parted.
Berlin moved her head to the side, giving him more entrance to her neck as her moans began to rise.
"Aaaahhh…"
He returned his gaze back to her and smiled at her. "I love you, " Karlos stated while still thrusting into her.
"I love you more" It was all she had ever wished for. To be happy with the man she loved. That would have surpassed any form of wealth whatsoever.
Hearing her say those words, he picked up his pace and thrust into her faster and harder than before but he was still careful not to hurt her.
Moments later, the sounds of flesh hitting against each other could be heard reverberating in the entire room.
"Aaaahhh…Karl..."
Their breathing became laboured as each thrust given and met caused their heart to thump hard against their chest.
Beads of sweat glistened on their body with each hard thrust Karlos gave. It was sweet, surreal and enchanting.
"Urrghh! " A low growl escaped Karlos's lips when her fingers grazed his back.
He leaned back in and kissed her. Berlin readily opened her mouth to welcome his tongue as they both let their passion and desire run wild.
This was their second union but it felt so great. His mind, body and soul never felt alive like he did today and for the first time in a long while, he felt the need to keep at it for a longer period of time.
"Yes...," Berlin breathed. "Oh yes..."
He began to move, setting a slow, steady rhythm.
"You feel so good," Karlos groaned. "So perfect..."
Berlin wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper. "Faster," she whispered. "Please, Karlos."
He picked up the pace even more, his movements becoming more urgent. One hand slipped between their bodies, finding the sensitive bundle of nerves that made Berlin cry out in pleasure.
"That's it," he murmured. "Let go, Berlin. I've got you."
The combination of his movements and his fingers was too much. Berlin felt herself climbing higher and higher, her entire body tensing.
"Karlos!" she cried out as waves of pleasure washed over her.
"That's my girl," Karlos groaned, his own release following shortly after.
They lay together afterward, breathless and tangled in each other's arms. Karlos pulled the blanket over them and held Berlin close, his fingers gently stroking her hair.
"Do you believe me now?" he asked softly. "Do you believe that I love you?"
Berlin looked up at him, her eyes still wet with tears, but this time they were happy tears. "I believe you," she whispered. "I'm sorry I doubted."
"You don't have to apologize," Karlos said, kissing her forehead. "Your mother said terrible things. It's natural to have doubts."
"But she was wrong," Berlin said firmly. "I'm not her. And you're not your father. We're different."
"We are," Karlos agreed. "We're going to have a different story. A better story."
Berlin snuggled closer to him, her head resting on his chest. "Tell me about our future," she said. "Tell me what our story will be."
Karlos smiled and wrapped his arms tighter around her. "Well, first we're going to have a real wedding. One where no one interrupts us and no buildings catch on fire."
Berlin laughed softly. "That sounds nice."
"Then we're going to rebuild the company together," Karlos continued. "You're brilliant with business - I've seen your work. We'll be partners in everything."
"What else?" Berlin asked.
"Then, when we're ready, we'll have children," Karlos said. "Beautiful, smart children who we'll love and protect. We'll be the parents we wished we had."
Berlin felt fresh tears forming. "That sounds perfect."
"And through it all, I'll love you," Karlos whispered. "Every single day. When you're happy, when you're sad, when you're angry, when you're scared. I'll love you through all of it."
"Promise?" Berlin asked.
"I promise," Karlos said. "Berlin Wayne, I promise to love you for the rest of my life. Nothing will change my heart. Not Tasha. Not your mother's words. Not anything."
Berlin lifted her head and kissed him softly. "I love you so much."
"I love you too," Karlos said. "Now get some rest. Tomorrow we face the world together."
Berlin closed her eyes, feeling safe and loved in Karlos's arms. For the first time since her mother's cruel words, she felt at peace.
She wasn't her mother. She wasn't doomed to repeat the past.
She was Berlin Wayne, and she had the love of a good man.
That was enough.
As she drifted off to sleep, she didn't notice the shadow that passed by their window. She didn't hear the soft click of a camera.
Because somewhere in the darkness, someone was watching. Someone who had their own plans for the Wayne family.
And this person was patient. Very patient.
"Sleep well, Berlin," the mysterious figure whispered. "Enjoy your happiness while it lasts. Because soon, I'm going to take everything away from you. And when I do, you'll wish your mother had succeeded."
The figure disappeared into the night, leaving only silence behind.