Svenja and Arthur find it hard to leave Bella in Lüneburg. Bella, too, wistfully realizes how much she will miss everyone. But she is certain she has a safe and secure home with Victoria. Little does Bella know that Richard’s evil plan is succeeding.On the day of his surgery, Daniel is accompanied to the hospital by Richard, while Lou receives emotional support from Victoria. At the doctor’s office, Lou unexpectedly runs into Jess-an encounter with unforeseen consequences. Jess’s life is in ruins: Patrick has ended their relationship and left her packed suitcases on her doorstep. Gisela takes her in, and Valerie also offers her comfort. Toni and Noah realize that their love has no future and break up for good. While Carla is excited about her new kitchen, Britta is sad about moving out. But a misunderstanding leads to an argument between the two friends. Will they find their way back to each other?

Richard continues to spin his web of intrigue: He cleverly makes it look as if Bella deliberately misplaced an important document for the grant application. Victoria is already suspicious, and when Richard ensures that Victoria finds the missing document among Bella’s papers, Bella is backed into a corner. Jess is at her wit’s end-not only is she heartbroken, but she’s also having trouble with her boss. Furious, she writes a resignation email, but doesn’t send it. Or so she thinks. Till and Bella are planning a bucket day with Arthur and Svenja. They want to tackle a list of things they had planned to do in Lüneburg. But it doesn’t work out: Svenja has to go to Berlin at short notice for an apartment viewing. Daniel shows Lou how grateful he is for her support with a romantic gesture. But when Britta gives him hormone replacement medication, he feels emasculated. Overwhelmed, he takes his frustration out on Lou.

Britta is looking forward to her next first night at Dornenhof. Carla, on the other hand, now believes the farm is actually haunted. Heiner’s lost hammer, Johanna’s story about the witch burning... Britta manages to calm her friend down until Carla is awakened in the middle of the night by an eerie crying... Richard’s scheme has succeeded: Victoria is so disappointed by Bella’s alleged lie that she fires her. Shocked and heartbroken, Bella moves out of the manor. Richard skillfully comforts his mother, only to overhear Victoria offering Lou Bella’s position at the EmKa. Elyas can no longer bear the tension between Toni and Noah and flees the shared apartment. He then runs into Bella. She is devastated by her dismissal and clashes with Elyas. On his last evening at «Carlas,» Arthur is surprised by a farewell committee and is deeply touched. However, when he hears that Victoria has kicked Bella out, he and Till search the city for her.

Lou firmly rejects Victoria’s request to return to EmKa. An argument ensues, and Victoria announces she’s selling EmKa to someone outside the family. When Richard hears this, he cuts ties with EmKa and Lüneburg. He wants to travel the world with Daniel again. Daniel refuses-he needs to process the loss of his masculinity. Then they learn that the tech campus investor is bankrupt. What will happen to their assignment now? After a disastrous farewell party and a misunderstanding, Toni and Noah say a heartfelt goodbye before Noah boards the train to Berlin. The trouble at Dornenhof continues. Carla is also suffering from insomnia and hot flashes. Britta realizes what’s really wrong with Carla: she’s entering menopause. When Julius then asks Carla to fill in for the head chef at «Carlas,» it all becomes too much for her... Bella and Elyas manage to take a step toward each other again, and Bella decides to stay in Lüneburg for the time being. And to confront Victoria.

Franka and Carla’s stories make Jess realize how boring her life with Patrick was. While dutifully waiting for the repairmen outside Patrick’s office, she observes the activity, and new stories begin to form in her mind. Finally, Jonas convinces Jess: until she finds a new job, she’ll use the time to write. But then Jess receives a payment demand from EmKa, and the carefree feeling vanishes. Richard doesn’t understand why Daniel doesn’t want to accompany him to Asia and breaks up with him. Arthur manages to reason with his brother, and Richard decides to be there for his best friend. But his anger toward Victoria continues to simmer. Victoria offers Valerie a job in Munich. Simon persuades Valerie to spend her last day with Olivia and him. He makes it clear to her: she’s allowed to have maternal feelings even without custody. Valerie is touched, and saying goodbye is harder than she expected. Till’s plan to reconcile Bella and Elyas backfires.

After the tech campus project is scrapped, Victoria offers financial assistance, but Richard and Daniel refuse. They want to remain independent. Daniel, in particular, is struggling: the hormone therapy is taking its toll and undermining his self-esteem as a man. When he hears that the campus is to be auctioned off, he wants to bid himself to save the project. But will Richard join him? Meanwhile, Jess is in serious trouble: Patrick has run off to Mallorca, leaving her with the lease for the office at Salzmarkt. Victoria is unyielding, and even Gisela can’t help her niece. When Elyas tells Jess about his experiences with EmKa, the full extent of the situation becomes clear to Jess-and she suffers a panic attack. Michael suddenly appears at Dornenhof-with ambitious plans: he wants to transform the property into a Western village. But Carla is strictly against it. Will she prevail? And Gisela? She’s determined to finally find her sport-and she’s giving it her all.

Jess is desperately searching for a job to pay the rent, but quickly realizes that finding something suitable isn’t so easy. When she runs into Britta, who thanks her for a book recommendation, Jess suddenly has a brilliant idea. Meanwhile, Michael is enthusiastically planning to transform the Dornenhof farm into a Western town. Carla, however, remains skeptical-and finally confesses to him that she loves the farm just the way it is. Will the two of them find a solution together? Richard and Daniel are determined to buy the tech campus at auction. Lou, on the other hand, remains reserved-she believes Daniel primarily wants to prove something to himself. On top of that, there are family worries: their son Pelle is being bullied by a boy on the football team. When the coach quits, Lou takes it upon herself to coach him. Eliyas thinks Bella has already left for Berlin, but is surprised to discover that she’s still in Lüneburg and intends to stay.

Daniel and Richard are determined to win the auction for the tech campus. But an unexpected competitor drives the price up. Richard takes a big risk and ends up bidding significantly more than the original financing loan. A dangerous game... Jess is unstoppable in her planning for her bookstore. With the support of friends and family, her dream is taking shape. As a highlight, Johanna agrees to a reading and book signing at the opening. But then a fateful misunderstanding occurs: In the «Heideecho» newspaper, the opening isn’t announced in three months as planned, but for the very next day. Will the store be ready in time? While Bella is suffering from Victoria’s rejection, she finds comfort in Lou. Lou realizes that Victoria is also struggling with the situation and tries to mediate. Carla is excited to finally meet Michael’s daughter, Ellie. Michael is more reserved-and with good reason. Because Ellie soon causes quite a stir.

Lou hosts a poker night to distract Richard and Daniel from their defeat at the tech campus auction. Franka is also there-and spontaneously brings Julius along. While Richard tries to get through the evening discreetly with two of his affairs, a surprising revelation causes a stir: It’s not some unknown investor who bought the tech campus, but Victoria. Meanwhile, Jess faces a huge challenge: Her bookstore has to open overnight. While she’s in Hamburg getting new books, Gisela quickly gathers the entire Böttcher clan. But will there be enough time to get everything ready for the opening? Carla wants to focus on the horse boarding business with Michael-but her passion for cooking won’t let her go. This gives her an idea... Ellie meets Toni and Elyas and immediately recognizes their heartbreak. When Bella joins them, an argument with Elyas escalates-but his words make Bella think.

Midway through her opening speech at the bookstore, Jess suddenly feels nauseous and vomits. Johanna smirks and speculates about a possible pregnancy. Jess finds this completely absurd-no sex, no pregnancy. But Gisela persuades her to take a test. Could it still be true? Meanwhile, Lou has to come to terms with a bitter truth: her desire for a child remains unfulfilled for now; she isn’t pregnant. Despite the disappointment, she finds strength in being there for Bella, who continues to suffer from Victoria’s rejection. When Bella remembers a magical moment with Elyas, she spontaneously seeks him out-and experiences a nasty surprise. After Victoria’s unexpected purchase of the tech campus, she offers Richard and Daniel positions at the EmKa. Daniel indignantly refuses, but Richard accepts. He secretly harbors his own plan: he wants to take over the EmKa completely.

Jess is stunned: She’s pregnant? She goes to her gynecologist and runs into Lou there - just like two weeks ago. When Nurse Ina calls Jess’s name as Mrs. Mahler, Jess becomes thoughtful. When Lou jokes that she and Jess weren’t mistaken for each other two weeks ago, something suddenly clicks for Jess. Bella wants to distract herself from her heartbreak and goes out to party with Toni. On the way back, Till calls her - yesterday was the anniversary of her mother’s death. How could Bella have forgotten? She seeks solace at the accident scene. There, a fateful newspaper ad blows into her hands. Lou wants to look to the future after the failed insemination. But for Daniel, his world collapses. Richard pursues his plan: He accepts Victoria’s offer and promises her that he will also persuade Daniel to return to the EMKa. But that proves more difficult than expected.

Lou has to tell Daniel that there’s no chance of another insemination. Selflessly, Lou is there for Daniel and asks him to reconsider the merger with EmKa. When Richard also makes an emotional plea to him, Daniel agrees for the sake of his family. Meanwhile, Jess has learned who she’s been mistaken for - Lou Mahler. Bella believes her deceased mother sent her a sign - to make a fresh start somewhere else in the world. But not alone. Bella realizes that Elyas still holds a place in her heart. Britta is grateful that Carla accompanies her to the accident site on the first anniversary of Hendrik’s death. The support of her family also shows Britta that she’s not alone. Ellie is fascinated by how openly Gisela speaks about intimate topics. She films Gisela and sends the video to her friends in Nashville. Given the many interested responses, Ellie asks Gisela to answer her friends’ questions. Gisela is flattered.

Jess tries to tell Lou and Daniel that their patient files were switched at the doctor’s office. As a result, Jess is pregnant with Daniel’s child. Daniel throws Jess out, but Lou tries to remember the day of the insemination. Like pieces of a puzzle, the clues begin to fall into place. Lou asks Jess to go with her to the doctor’s office and clear things up. Bella wants to win Elyas back and tries everything to get him to listen to her. But Elyas blocks all contact. Only Toni makes Elyas realize that he’s only making himself unhappy. Elyas allows himself to feel his emotions and reconciles with Bella. Victoria develops alarming symptoms and rushes to the hospital. Britta takes care of her and discovers that Victoria has been taking the wrong dosage of her supplements. Britta reassures her, which Victoria interprets as Britta being available to her for all her health needs in the future. Richard triumphs: His and Daniel’s architecture firm is merging with EmKa.

Bella and Elyas have finally found their way back to each other. Only the issue of Mexico remains unresolved. But through Ellie, it becomes clear to both of them: there’s nothing to question-their future lies in Mexico. A stranger is pregnant by Daniel-Lou and Daniel helplessly try to accept the situation. Can they manage it? Jess, on the other hand, has to come to terms with the fact that she’s accidentally pregnant by a stranger. All her plans are shattered. Jess feels unfairly treated by life and refuses to accept it. She makes a fateful decision. The grand opening of Carla’s bistro is approaching, and she and Michael happen to find a fitting name for it: «Galilea.» Despite all their misgivings, the opening is a success-until the house spirit starts whimpering and scares the guests away. However, Michael and Carla are able to expose Ellie as the ghost, who only wanted to stir up some gossip. The relief is immense-there is no ghost in «Galilea.» Or is there?

Lou and Daniel are still processing the news that Jess is pregnant with Daniel’s child. Daniel is distracting himself with work. But things aren’t going smoothly there either: Victoria criticizes Daniel’s design for the tech campus and exerts her influence. Daniel already regrets the decision to integrate the architecture firm into EmKa. When he then learns that Richard pushed the deal forward, he feels betrayed. Julius wants to move back into his apartment in the city. He’s really enjoying being close to his family at Rosenhaus. Will he stay longer after all? The thought of telling Lou and Daniel that she wants to terminate the pregnancy fills Jess with panic. Jonas tries to calm her down and support her. Toni can’t understand why Ellie has fallen in love with Jonas of all people. Carla has an erotic dream about Simon. When she tells Michael about it, it not only creates uncertainty between Carla and Michael, but also challenges Michael to a fateful competition with Simon.

Gisela, Franka, and Julius support Jess’s decision to have an abortion. Jonas also encourages her. When Jess tells Lou and Daniel about her decision, Lou is relieved. Daniel, on the other hand, is devastated-it’s his last chance to have a child. Bella and Elyas want to live their dream and run a beach bar in Mexico. They’re full of anticipation until the current owner demands EUR60,000 for the business... Daniel feels betrayed by Richard because he pushed through EmKa’s takeover of Kaiser and Mahler. Richard is torn between friendship and the desire to oust his mother from EmKa. Victoria, however, is astonished by her son’s cold-bloodedness. Victoria tries to persuade Britta to be her personal doctor. Although Britta finds the idea absurd, the job promises more free time. But when Rudi comes for treatment, she knows her place is in the hospital. Ellie asks Toni to set her up on a date with Jonas. But Toni tries to dissuade Ellie.

During Lukas’ car accident bicycler Annika falls and Cosima gets a heart attack; Annika refuses a brain scan. André does Fanny a wedding proposal. Charlotte tries to resist Michael’s attractiveness. Hendrik loves Marie and Annika.

Franka’s words move Richard, and he humbly offers to leave EmKa for Daniel so as not to lose him as a friend. Daniel is impressed by the gesture and agrees with Richard that they will remain colleagues-not friends. Richard is relieved. Britta firmly rejects Victoria’s offer to become her private doctor. When Hendrik’s former patient, Rudi, tells her that he can’t find an apprenticeship due to his disability, Britta has an idea: She wants to start a foundation in Hendrik’s name. Carla wants to alleviate Michael’s jealousy and seduce him. But Michael is too tired. Carla is puzzled-is Michael too old for adventure? When the two go to the garden center the next day to pick up flowers and find no one there, Michael shows Carla just how much of an adventurer he still is. Ellie has a crush on Jonas but can’t get a word out in front of him. Jess helps Ellie find her voice again and persuade Jonas to read aloud at the bookstore event.

Daniel is depressed about his situation. Lou manages to convince him that their family happiness is perfect even without a third child. He starts looking ahead again and goes with Lou to Jess’s reading. When a passage from a book is quoted about seizing one’s last chance, Daniel runs away. Later, Daniel runs into Jess and begs her to have the baby. Jess is thrilled with the successful reading, including the live stream. Ellie is also delighted with the success and kisses Jonas enthusiastically, which he gladly accepts. Britta wants to build a training center for people with disabilities with her foundation and is looking for sponsors. Victoria agrees to provide funding, but only if Britta becomes her private doctor. Will Britta agree? The stable door at Dornenhof keeps opening as if by magic. Johanna thinks it’s the ghost of the woman burned as a witch. Carla finds it amusing and goes on a treasure hunt with Michael.

Daniel regrets asking Jess to keep the baby. He hides his mistake from Lou. When Lou asks Jess to sign the lawsuit against the gynecologist’s office, she’s shocked to learn of Daniel’s request. Simon is reluctant to return to Darß. Unlike Valerie, Gisela would like him to stay. Julius and Franka scold their mother for interfering. But when Simon decides to stay in Lüneburg, Gisela triumphs. Ellie is in love with Jonas and ignores Toni’s concerns that Jonas isn’t very reliable. In high spirits, she organizes an auction, the proceeds of which will benefit Bella and Elyas’s beach bar. Britta doesn’t need the premises at the harbor when it becomes clear that Rudi doesn’t approve of a training center exclusively for people with disabilities. But Victoria won’t let her out of the lease.

Lou is stunned. Daniel not only asked Jess to keep the baby, but he also lied to her about it. Daniel regrets his mistake, but Lou withdraws, hurt. Jess is startled by a reminder on her phone that it’s Patrick’s birthday. Jonas urges her to delete Patrick’s contact information. But she can’t bring herself to do it and feels overwhelmed by life-a failing bookstore and an unwanted pregnancy. Then Jess has a dream that brings her clarity. Richard hears about a worldwide cement shortage and cunningly plots against his mother: He steals the password to Victoria’s computer and cancels her entire cement order. Victoria is horrified and suspects an external attack. When Carla and Michael report an alleged ghost at the horse farm, Ellie suggests trying to contact the spirit through a séance. Michael and Britta don’t take the idea seriously, but Carla senses something supernatural.

Carla and Michael are increasingly feeling like they’ve truly arrived in Lüneburg. Michael regrets that he’ll soon have to return to Texas. And he’ll be going alone - Carla still doesn’t have a green card. Even when the news arrives shortly before Michael’s departure that Carla is allowed to travel to the USA, there’s no joy. Richard manages to convince Victoria that she’s sleepwalking and has canceled the cement delivery herself. Victoria is devastated and is persuaded by Gisela to take a break. But Victoria can’t relax: the «Heideecho» newspaper is reporting on EmKa’s difficulties. Where did the newspaper get this information? Lou and Daniel finally manage to talk things out. Lovingly, they reassure each other that they are happy as a family. Is the crisis over Jess and Daniel’s unfulfilled desire to have children finally over?

Carla’s plan to live half the year in Lüneburg and half the year in Texas is set. But neither she nor Michael are happy about it. When Carla considers selling the horse farm, fate intervenes, and they both end up staying in Lüneburg permanently. Richard’s leaked report about EmKa’s bankruptcy has an effect: Daniel and Lou’s doubts about Victoria grow. Victoria tries to hide her insecurity. However, when her loan application is rejected and Richard confronts her about Bella’s emigration, Victoria collapses in his arms. At Bella and Elyas’s auction, Richard bids EUR10,000 on Julius’s fountain pen-to secure Bella’s departure. Bella and Elyas have the necessary down payment for their beach bar. Ellie is unsettled after Jonas canceled their date. Toni was right, Jonas just wants to have fun. Despite her pregnancy, Jess focuses on her online shop. When the doctor’s office offers EUR7,000 in compensation, she accepts. But Daniel and Lou refuse to accept this.

Bella is worried about Victoria and wants to reconcile with her before leaving for Mexico. But suddenly, the Mexican bar owner demands the entire takeover fee, and Bella and Elyas’s emigration plan is in jeopardy. Then, an anonymous donor gifts the couple their dream bar - Victoria? Daniel and Lou don’t want to interfere in Jess’s affairs, but before she accepts the meager compensation offer from the practice, they offer her a loan. Jess refuses; she wants to remain independent. But then Jess overhears Lou considering adopting the child. Richard demands that Julius deliver the lecture he won at auction. As a thank you, Richard wants to give Julius a valuable fountain pen afterward. But Julius refuses. So Richard makes the pen the stake in a poker game - strip poker. In the end, to Julius’s delight, Richard has to take his clothes off. When Carla and Michael decide to stay in Lüneburg, Ellie’s departure leads to a tearful farewell for the little family.

Jess is shocked when she hears that Lou and Daniel are considering adopting her baby. She had already decided to have an abortion. Daniel and Lou reluctantly accept this, and Lou even offers to accompany Jess to her appointment. But it all becomes too much for Jess. She flees from Lou in a panic and causes a car accident. Valerie is, as expected, annoyed that Simon has moved into the Rose House with Olivia. Simon tries to appease her with a dinner at Carla’s new bistro. The evening goes unexpectedly well until Simon accidentally finds another guest’s engagement ring, and Valerie mistakenly assumes he’s about to propose to her. Bella and Elyas believe that Victoria financed the beach bar in Mexico for them. But why? Does she want to get rid of Bella this way? When Bella confronts Victoria, Gunter finally reveals that he bought the bar. Bella is perplexed, and Victoria is horrified.

Victoria is upset that Gunter gave Bella the money for the beach bar. Bella doesn’t understand her grandmother’s resentment, as she can no longer connect with her granddaughter. Victoria is under pressure: she can’t get another loan from the bank. The only solution: either EmKa is converted into a public limited company, or the harbor project Bella initiated has to be sacrificed. Overwhelmed, she seeks out Bella-ready to reconcile. But Richard just wants Bella gone as soon as possible. After her accident, Jess realizes that Lou and Daniel will accept her abortion. She bravely looks to the future and contacts her favorite author, Stella, who surprisingly agrees to a reading. However, only for a fee and without a live stream. Jess defends Stella’s airs to Jonas until she realizes with disbelief: Stella isn’t who she pretends to be. Valerie and Simon laugh about the supposed proposal. Or is there still a certain attraction between them?

Carla denies she’s menopausal and suspects she’s pregnant. Only a negative test makes her accept the truth. But her belief in ghosts persists: A dowsing rod leads Carla to an ancient, buried wooden box-which is securely locked. Jess realizes that her favorite author, Stella van Eyck, is actually a man: Steffen Wanneick. He doesn’t want a reading with fans in the bookstore, but rather a purely audio stream. Jess reluctantly agrees and even lets the author stay overnight at the Rosenhaus. She confides her life story to him. But Steffen shamelessly intends to use this for his next book. Richard prevents Victoria from getting closer to Bella at the last minute. When Victoria collapses and is cared for by Gunter, Richard’s plans for the AG (working group) fall apart. Elyas encourages Bella to reconcile, while Richard continues to stubbornly work against it. Franka and Julius catch Valerie after she has sex with Simon.

With Lou’s help, Jess manages to stop Steffen, aka «Stella van Eyck,» from using her life story for his novel. Jess’s scheduled abortion appointment is approaching, and Lou reiterates that the decision rests solely with her. When Jess disappears shortly before the appointment, Lou finds her, and the two women share a fateful moment that changes Jess’s mind: she wants to carry the child for Lou and Daniel. Carla discovers the letters K.S. on the locked box. She’s certain they’re the initials of the magical Katharina. Carla decides to open the box even without a key. During boxing practice, Richard takes out his frustration with Victoria and accidentally knocks Julius out. This leads to an open conversation between the men, in which Richard confesses that he’s never truly been in love. Julius becomes thoughtful. Elyas arranges a meeting between Bella and Victoria. Hesitantly, they reconcile. Afterward, Victoria gives the go-ahead for the project group-time with Bella is more important.

Richard wants to dethrone Victoria from the EmKa throne. Her failing health and financial problems play right into his hands. But he doesn’t like the newfound closeness between Victoria and Bella. And indeed, Bella gives her grandmother an idea for financing the tower Victoria loves, without having to establish a corporation. Have Richard’s plans failed? Lou is taken aback when Jess suddenly offers to carry the child for her and Daniel. She hesitates to pass on the news, unsure if Jess will keep her word. But the Böttchers and Jonas stand behind Jess. She sees it as destiny to fulfill the Mahlers’ wish for a child. While everyone congratulates her, Lou confesses her doubts to Franka: What will the child mean for her relationship with Daniel? The situation between Carla and Britta escalates when Carla misses an appointment with her gynecologist while searching for the key to the old box. Britta has had enough, and Carla is escaping her menopausal symptoms with her ghost stories.

Richard refuses to accept that Victoria is selling the tech campus just to prevent the corporation from being formed. Ironically, Bella gives him an unwitting idea: he backdates old contracts with the construction company and fabricates legal obligations. Will his risky plan work? Simon wants distance after sleeping with Valerie, while she longs for casual intimacy. When Valerie has to prepare a hotel suite for Julius and runs out of time, he reluctantly helps her. But while working together, sparks fly again... Lou doesn’t know how to handle the situation that Jess wants to carry her child to term. When Jess runs into legal trouble with the author Wanneik, Lou offers her help and asks Victoria for a lawyer. In doing so, she confesses the truth to her mother about the mix-up regarding the insemination. Victoria reacts immediately. Carla seeks distraction from menopause in the story of the mysterious Katharina, which Britta strongly disapproves of.