Told me he loved me. Told me I was his wife, his real wife, no matter what name was on my birth certificate.
Vernon made a strangled noise. Nadine’s composure cracked just for a second. That’s impossible. A man like Zier Langston would never accept.
A man like Zir Langston sees through manipulation. Berlin stepped closer. He’s been investigating you for weeks, both of you.
The fraud, the embezzlement, the offshore accounts Vernon has been funneling company money into for the past decade.
Vernon shot to his feet. How did you? The Langston family has entire department dedicated to financial crimes.
They’ve brought down corporations, exposed senators. Berlin tilted her head. Did you really think your pathetic little schemes wouldn’t be discovered?
Nadine’s face had gone pale. You’re bluffing. Am I? Berlin pulled out her phone and navigated to a file.
Cayman Island accounts, Delaware shell companies, wire transfers conveniently timed before audits. It’s all here, Naen.
Every dirty secret you’ve tried to hide. She turned the screen toward them. The horror on their faces was deeply satisfying.
Here’s what’s going to happen, Berlin continued. You’re going to give me my keepsake, the locket you’ve been dangling over my head for 23 years.
You’re going to hand it over right now. And if I don’t, then this evidence goes to the FBI tomorrow morning.
Berlin’s voice hardened, and you both spend the rest of your miserable lives in prison.
Vernon grabbed Nadine’s arm. Give it to her. Just give it to her. Shut up, you spineless.
Give it to her. The desperation in his voice echoed through the suite. Nadine’s jaw clenched, her eyes blazed with fury.
But Berlin could see the calculation happening, the realization that for once she didn’t hold the cards.
Slowly, Naen reached into her designer purse. She pulled out the worn velvet pouch. Berlin’s heart clenched at the site.
The keepsake. After 23 years. Take it. Nadine threw the pouch onto the coffee table with contempt.
Take it and choke on it. Berlin picked it up with trembling hands. The velvet was soft, familiar.
How many nights had she dreamed about this moment? How many tears had she cried, believing she would never hold this locket again?
There’s something you should know, Nadine said, venom dripping from every word. I had that locket translated years ago.
Paid good money for it. Berlin looked up. What? The writing on that locket, it’s not a map to your precious parents.
It’s not names or directions or clues. Nadine laughed bitterly. It’s just some ancient proverb.
Meaningless words about perseverance or strength or some such nonsense. Berlin felt her chest tighten.
You’re lying. For once, I’m not. Nadine stood, gathering her purse. Your parents didn’t leave you breadcrumbs, Berlin.
They left you nothing. You’re exactly what I always told you. Nobody. Nothing. An orphan who got thrown away.
She walked toward the door, Vernon scrambling after her. Keep the locket. Keep your billionaire husband.
Keep pretending you’re somebody. Naen paused at the threshold. But remember, no matter how high you climb, you’ll always be the girl nobody wanted.
She walked out. The door slammed behind her. Berlin stood alone, clutching the velvet pouch to her chest, tears streaming down her face.
She didn’t remember leaving the hotel. Didn’t remember the car ride home. Didn’t remember walking through the mansion’s corridors.
She only became aware of her surroundings when strong arms wrapped around her and a deep voice murmured in her ear.
Berlin. I stayed in that room for hours, not knowing you had already left. She blinked.
She had been so lost in a days she had completely forgotten she went into the hotel with company.
Zire’s face swam into focus. He was holding her tightly, his expression fierce with concern.
What happened? I got it back. Berlin held up the velvet pouch. The keepsake. I got it back.
Relief flickered across his features. Good. That’s good. She said something. Berlin’s voice cracked. Naen.
She said she had it translated years ago. That it’s not a map to my parents.
It’s just a proverb, something meaningless. Zire’s arms tightened around her. She could be lying, trying to hurt you one last time.
Maybe. Berlin pressed her face against his chest. But what if she’s not? What if I’ve been chasing nothing this whole time?
What if there are no answers? No parents to find? What if I’m just? Her voice broke completely.
What if I really am nobody? Zire pulled back, cupping her face in his hands.
His dark eyes burned into hers. Listen to me, he said fiercely. You are not nobody.
You are the woman who walked into a monster’s house and made him human again.
You are smart and brave and kind. You are the most extraordinary person I have ever met.
But let me finish. His thumbs wiped her tears. Even if Nadine is telling the truth, even if that locket holds nothing but an old proverb, it doesn’t change who you are.
It doesn’t make you worthless. It doesn’t make you nobody. He pressed his forehead against hers.
