Page 30 of Johan. (Van Den Bosch #8)

Hannah laughs, perhaps to ease the tension, and takes a sip of her wine, trying to relax. The room is filled with the gentle clinking of cutlery and soft conversation, and I give her hand a little squeeze under the table to let her know I’m here for her.

I watch Hannah as she interacts with her family.

Despite the underlying tensions, there’s a genuine affection here.

Sitting directly in front of Elise isn’t ideal, but with Andries on my left and Hannah on my right, I focus on them instead.

Margaret’s choice for a small, intimate dinner was wise; it allows for real conversations and the chance to mend fractured relationships.

Speaking of which, Margaret, the ever-gracious host, stands and raises her glass, her eyes shining with warmth and love. “To family and Christmas. May this season bring us closer, remind us of the importance of being together, and fill our hearts with joy and peace. Merry Christmas, everyone.”

Everyone raises their glasses, the sound of clinking crystal filling the room. “Merry Christmas,” echoes around the table, followed by appreciative smiles and nods.

When the room grows quiet as we eat, Hannah turns to Andries. “So, Andy, how has life been lately?” she asks, her voice tinged with curiosity and care.

Andries shrugs, a smile playing on his lips as he cuts his meat. “Well, you know, college life, nothing much exciting about it. Except I get to go home to a beautiful woman in a penthouse in the city center. So not bad,” he says, his eyes glancing at Roxanne with affection.

Roxanne, seated beside him at the head of the table, adds, her voice filled with excitement, “Well, that’s not all. We’ve been on tour around the country for my book, and a British publisher is interested in launching it in the UK.”

“Oh, that's really amazing.” I lean forward, genuinely impressed. “What is your book about?”

Roxanne’s smile broadens, my curiosity seeming to light up her demeanor. “It’s a memoir about my past.”

The weight of her revelation seems to settle over the table like a heavy blanket, the atmosphere shifting awkwardly. They all look away, pretending not to have heard. A few clear their throats, fidgeting in their seats, and pretending not to be a part of the conversation.

Andries can’t contain himself, though. “It’s a bestseller,” he chimes in, his voice brimming with pride and admiration for his wife’s achievement.

Elise turns her attention to me, clearly seeking to change the subject. “And you, Johan, what are you up to at Cambridge?” she asks, forcing a bright smile.

I take a moment, drawing in a deep breath to gather my thoughts.

“Well,” I start slowly, “I’m working on my PhD in Heritage Studies.

Recently, I filled in as the substitute teacher for the introductory course while Professor Foster was on sick leave.

She’ll be back in January, though.” I pause, letting the information sink in before continuing.

“Now, I’m preparing for my first archaeological expedition in Oman, which is quite an exciting and daunting prospect. ”

Everyone seizes the opportunity to shift their focus, leaning in a little closer, their interest piqued even further. Elise, in particular, seems captivated. “Really?” she asks, her voice a mix of wonder and curiosity. “Why are you going so far away?”

The question lingers in the air, and I can see the genuine interest in her eyes.

“Well, for several reasons, but apart from the opportunity to uncover and study ancient sites, it’s also a way to gather evidence that our sponsor is a treasure hunter wanting nothing more than to steal artifacts and sell them,” I explain, feeling the excitement and gravity of the upcoming journey intertwine.

Dan raises an eyebrow, his interest piqued. “So you're going there like a double agent or something?”

I laugh, nodding. “Kinda.”

“Now that's cool.” Dan's eyes widen in genuine admiration, and he leans back slightly, a smile spreading across his face.

Noticing that he and his girlfriend haven’t yet given an update about their lives, I take a sip of my wine and step in. “And you, Elise and Dan, what have you guys been up to?”

Elise's eyes light up as she leans forward. “Well, Dan is helping his dad, who’s a great vintage watch dealer, and I’m in my last year of college.

” She brushes a stray lock of hair behind her ear and continues, “I have also started working part-time at Dad’s in operations and strategy, so there’s that.

And it’s properly paid, no more exploiting me as an intern.

” She laughs, a note of triumph in her voice as she looks at her dad.

Sebastian chuckles, shaking his head slightly. “She made me negotiate a contract like she had ten years of experience.” He nudges her gently, his eyes filled with pride despite his playful words, and he can’t help but grin at her.

Elise rolls her eyes good-naturedly, but her smile is wide and genuine. “Well, after seeing how you treat your employees, it’s only in my best interest to make sure I got a fair deal.” She crosses her arms in a mock-serious pose, though her eyes twinkle with amusement.

The table erupts in laughter, the tension from earlier easing as everyone gets caught up in the light-hearted banter.

The room buzzes with interest and admiration.

I glance at Hannah, who gives me a supportive smile.

For a moment, the weight of our complicated situation lifts, replaced by the warmth of family and the promise of new beginnings.

The evening progresses, small talk and laughter easing the underlying tensions, the gentle clinking of glasses, and the soft murmur of conversation filling the room.

I feel a sense of hope, that maybe, just maybe, this Christmas will mark the beginning of healing and new beginnings.

While everyone has finished dinner and is now enjoying coffee or port, listening intently to Amelia’s life story, Hannah decides to excuse herself and me for a moment.

I follow her through the house, curious but unsure of her intentions.

She leads me through the dimly lit corridors, the soft glow from the sconces casting long shadows on the walls, adding to the mystery.

We reach her grandmother’s office, a room filled with the rich scent of old books and polished wood. Hannah glances back at me with a mischievous smile before locking the door behind us. The click of the lock echoes in the silent room, and I feel a mixture of excitement and confusion.

“What are we doing here?” I ask, puzzled, my voice breaking the silence.

Hannah closes the small gap between us, her eyes sparkling with a mix of mischief and desire. Without a word, she kisses me intently, her hands cupping my face. The kiss is unexpected and electrifying, leaving me breathless.

As she pulls back slightly, memories flood my mind.

This office holds so many firsts for us.

It was here, years ago, that we almost kissed for the first time, the moment interrupted by Margaret herself, who caught us with a stern look that quickly turned into a knowing smile.

And it was in this very room that we discovered the existence of Amelia, a striking image that hinted at the past and the future, both of which have now become our reality.

Hannah grins. “You have no idea how pissed Elise looked when she saw us together. Oma was right. I think she’s jealous of us.”

The idea that Elise could be jealous hadn’t really crossed my mind. After all, she’s been in a stable two-year relationship with Dan. I shake my head, trying to process her words. “Why would she be? She seems very happy with Dan.”

Hannah crosses her arms, leaning against the antique desk, shaking her head in amusement at my naivety. “Because you are the one who got away. And I guess she never thought, not even in a million years, that you'd come back here to this house with me. I know my sister; she’s got that what-if look.”

I frown, trying to understand. “What do you mean, ‘what-if look’?”

Hannah’s eyes soften, and she steps closer, her voice dropping to a more intimate tone. “What if I had chosen him? What if I had gone to Cambridge? She can’t be happy for me, not even if her life depended on it. Have you seen how she spoke to us?”

I replay the evening in my mind, the subtle glances and the slightly strained tone in Elise’s voice when she addressed us. “I’m sure it’s just Elise being Elise,” I say, though my certainty wavers.

Hannah sighs, her frustration evident. “You’re too kind, Johan. You always have been. But trust me, I know my sister. She’s not over you, and seeing you with me is driving her nuts.”

I look into Hannah’s eyes, seeing the sincerity and concern there.

The room feels smaller, more intimate, as if we are in our own world, away from the family dynamics playing out just beyond the door.

The realization of Elise’s lingering feelings hits me, adding a new layer of complexity to the evening.

“Well, she’ll have to get used to it,” I say, taking Hannah’s hand. “Because I’m here now, with you.”

Hannah smiles, squeezing my hand. “Just be careful with her.”

I gently adjust a lock of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering on her soft skin. “I will.”

Her eyes lock onto mine, and in an instant, she closes the distance between us. Our lips meet again, this time with a sense of urgency. Her hands slide up my chest, and I feel the warmth of her touch through the fabric of my shirt. I respond, my arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her closer.

She leans into me, pressing her body against mine, and I can feel the rapid beat of her heart mirroring my own.

Our kisses grow deeper, more fervent, as we lose ourselves in the moment.

My hands travel up her back, tracing the curve of her spine, while she tangles her fingers in my hair, pulling me even closer.