The Vengeful Wife

All through their way to the mansion, She hadn't spoken to Callous on the drive. He seemed a million miles away, lost in his thoughts.

In no time they had arrived at the Wayne family Mansion. It was grand, just like she remembered, but this time, it felt different. Callous and Berlin made their way inside.

They walked into the house and they could already see the new decorations in the house. Also, the servants that were close by bowed as they congratulated them.

"Congratulations, sir. Congratulations, ma'am," the butler, Bolton, said, bowing deeply.

"Thank you" Berlin politely replied, showing off one of her gentle smiles.

"Thanks, Bolton. Where is everyone?"

"They've been waiting, this way please," Bolton gestured for them to follow him.

Just then, a woman in her forties dressed in a fitted knee-high purple, straight dress walked out of the dining room. Berlin's heart almost leaped out of her chest and a wave of emotion washed over her.

She was one of the people that Berlin respected the most, the mother of the house, Callous's Mom, Mrs. Lydia Wayne. 'She is alive!!'

All the blood drained out of her face at that realization. Not only did she have a second chance at life but she could prevent her mother-in-law from being murdered this time around.

"BB..."

'Barbara's baby that's what it meant. The old nickname'

It had been a long while since she had heard that name. Ever since she was set up by Tasha and thrown out, she had never heard Mrs. Wayne call her in this way.

It had been at least three years!!!

Berlin's eyes wetted as she went up to her and gave her a hug which she reluctantly had to cut short and called, "Mom"

"Good girl." Mrs. Lydia grinned as she smiled at her. " Hope you liked your new home?"

Berlin nodded meekly like a cute little puppy.

"That's good. That's good. Callous," Mrs. Lydia suddenly turned to her son who had been silent.

Mom," he replied.

They hugged briefly. Callous seemed a little stiff, but he hugged her back. It was their routine since he came back from the States.

Berlin watched the mother-and-son duo and noticed how Callous was cold and indifferent to everyone else. But with his mother, he seemed...more relaxed.

"You're so sentimental these days," Callous teased.

"And you're always stiff," she said, a smile on her lips. "Come, the others are waiting." Mrs. Lydia patted her son on the shoulder. 

"Ok." They both said in unison as Callous put his hand into his pockets, Berlin followed Callous and his mother to the dining room.

The Caldwells and Prisy Wayne were too angry to come out with Mrs. Lydia. So, they remained in the huge dining room that was rarely used except for celebratory occasions, so the other extended family members could join in.

Mrs. Lydia, her son and his wife, made their way from the entrance and straight to the dining hall.

"Congratulations!" Mrs. Matilda Caldwell greeted them with a smile, rising to embrace them. Her husband, Mr. Mathew Caldwell, and their daughter Penelope, followed suit.

"Thank you" Callous and Berlin replied, after minutes of hugging the Caldwells and Prisy. Deep down, Berlin knew this was all a pretense from the onset. Callous, as usual, seemed completely unaffected.

"Please let's have our seats, and celebrate the newly married couple." Mrs. Lydia announced, and there were cheers.

Prissy, however, looked annoyed. "Callous, why haven't you answered my calls? I need to know about the new car," she said, ignoring Berlin completely.

"When you learn the difference between wants and needs," Callous replied, his gaze fixed on his sister. "You have plenty of cars already."

"I...what do you mean?" Prissy asked in a hurtful tone as she looked at him. 

"Enough Prisy, let us enjoy this wonderful moment in peace. Tonight is for celebration. That's what matters. Eat your food." Mrs. Lydia commanded as she directed a stern gaze towards her daughter.

Prissy frowned and picked up her fork.

Berlin sat beside Callous.

When Berlin began to eat her food, Berlin's worry and anger dissipated and all she wanted to do was eat to her fill. Being angry, worrying about people trying to kill and not touching her food would be her loss. And if she did plan to take her revenge, she would need the energy to do it. She looked around the room, her eyes taking in to realize that things had changed a lot in her previous lifetime.

And while Berlin was ogling at the room, Callous who sat beside her drank her appearance. Her eyes were brownish, her lips delicate and rosy in colour, she slowly started to eat. Her movements were so elegant that it was great to watch. It was different from three days ago.

However, she acted so natural, eating a lot that it was easy to tell that she did not try pretending anything.

In just a day, how could she have such a change? Maybe she was pretending to be a different person. Is it because his Mom is here? What good would that do for her?

Callous felt it was more and more difficult for him to read this woman. He elegantly reached for a shrimp, placing it in his mouth.

"I'm so happy Callous married you," Mrs. Wayne said. "You'll be a good wife. Won't she, Matilda?"

Mrs. Matilda who had been witnessing Mrs. Lydia's fondness towards the so-called wife of Callous Wayne had been so overjoyed that Mrs. Lydia had gone as far as to triple the salary of the servants for the month. As if those lowly servants were not earning a good sum of money just for working in a prestigious family such as the Wayne, placing her glass of wine down on the table, smiled, "Yes, you are right, we are very lucky indeed, to have someone like her." though Mrs. Lydia didn't know about Mrs. Matilda Caldwell's schemes, that didn't mean she was going to just observe and do nothing.

Berlin couldn't believe that Mrs. Matilda could be this pretentious to a degree she never expected.

"It is good to have a woman who is understanding, who is kind and lovely," Stated Mrs. Matilda while Berlin had started to take a sip of her wine. "But I am hoping that you will be willing to be a housewife. Since now you have everything at your disposal," as the woman said this, Berlin nearly choked on her wine.

"It's only right. Besides, you don't have a degree for that matter." Said Mrs. Matilda in a nonchalant tone.

Since the first day, Berlin stepped into this family, She wasn't excited about it at the very least. To make matters worse, during the introduction, she finds out that the dirty girl is not only poor, and uneducated, but she is also the child of a mistress. If she wanted to get rid of Berlin, Mrs. Matilda couldn't get on the wrong side of her family. Berlin continued to drink her wine clearing her throat while Mrs. Matilda tried to school her expression of annoyance, and hatred and finally returned to her meal.

"I do agree with my wife" Mr. Mathew Caldwell spoke, nodding his head.

Callous didn't bother to involve himself in this chit-chat. If there was one thing he hated, then it would be instigators like his Aunt.

Hearing the words Mrs. Matilda and her husband uttered right now, Berlin was completely taken off guard.

Berlin wasn't sure she wanted to reply because if she did, this so-called celebratory atmosphere would turn into something else.

Feeling the silence fill the room, Mrs. Lydia was the one who spoke, "That's her decision to make. Besides, that is an old system and is hardly done nowadays." Callous's mother smiled.

Mrs. Matilda was pleased to see Berlin's reaction and the shock on her face, she let out a short laugh "You are right, Lydia. No need to worry about it now. It is just something to think about," Callous's aunt smiled, placing the steak into her mouth.

"Father, I will be going back to work this evening, there is an emergency, I need to attend to as soon as possible." Penelope, Mrs. Matilda's daughter announced.

"It's fine, " Mr. Mathew Caldwell said.

"I have something important to discuss with you after dinner " added Mrs. Matilda in a low tone.

"Okay, I have enough time on my hands before I leave," Penelope said to her mother.

When the last toast was made,

Mrs. Lydia Led everyone to toast to the couple and to give them their blessings.

Considering that Berlin and her son would be tired after the whole hassle, Mrs. Lydia allowed everybody to retire for the night.

Berlin felt grateful because she couldn't stand the glances and the glares she was receiving. It was too much for her.

After Prissy left the dining table after hugging her mother goodnight a frown still plastered all over her face, Mr. Mathew followed.

Berlin was the next person to leave. She said her goodnight to Mrs. Lydia before leaving. Mrs. Lydia smiled at her and allowed her to leave.

When she was out of sight, Mrs. Lydia lowered her tone and said to Callous. "Aren't you going to join your wife?"

Callous glanced at her with a creased brow.

Mrs. Lydia sighed and said to him, "You need to loosen up."

Callous simply said goodnight and left.

Mrs. Lydia smiled as she watched him leave. And then said goodnight to the Caldwells.

Once they were alone, Mrs. Matilda leaned towards Penelope. "It's time, Penelope."

Penelope stared at her mother, her eyes wide "Mother… what are you suggesting?"