Page 44 of Johan.

Oma beams, clearly pleased with my response. “It’s going to be a wonderful evening,” she says. “Now, let’s finish up here. We have a lot to prepare.”

As we resume our meal, I can feel the tension easing further. The upcoming festivities promise to be a whirlwind, but with Johan by my side and the possibility of family reconciliation, I feel a glimmer of hope for a memorable Christmas.

20

Johan

I finish buttoning my shirt,straightening my collar as I look at my figure in the mirror of the bedroom. The suit fits perfectly, the dark fabric contrasting with the crisp white shirt. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves.; tonight is a big night, and I can’t afford to mess it up.

The door to the ensuite bathroom opens, and Hannah steps out, looking stunning in a long, flowing gown. Her hair is elegantly styled, and the dress hugs her figure beautifully.

She glides across the room, wrapping her arms around me from behind, her warmth instantly soothing.

“Nervous?” Her voice is soft and comforting.

“Just a little bit.” I meet her eyes in the mirror. Her presence calms me, and I lean back into her embrace, savoring the moment. We share a quiet intimacy, the room silent except for our breathing. It’s moments like these that remind me why I fell in love with her.

Suddenly, we hear doors opening and the murmur of greetings from downstairs. The sounds of family arriving filter up to our room, breaking the spell of our private moment.

“Well, let’s go,” Hannah says, giving me a reassuring squeeze before stepping back.

I follow her out of the room, my hand brushing against the small of her back as we descend the stairs. The house is alive with activity, voices, and laughter echoing through the halls.

At the bottom of the stairs, I see Elise for the first time in two years. She’s grown, becoming a more composed woman, dressed in an elegant suit that speaks of her newfound maturity. Dan is beside her, his stubble grown out, giving him a rugged look. Julia and Sebastian are with them, their faces lighting up with holiday cheer.

Elise spots me and freezes, her eyes wide with shock. “I didn’t know ghosts from the past would be here,” she says, her tone laced with bitterness.

“Good to see you too, El,” Hannah chips in.

Oma Margaret, standing nearby, responds smoothly, “Oh, El, if you brought your boyfriend, it’s only natural that I let Hannah do the same.”

The room falls silent, a heavy stillness settling over us as all eyes turn in our direction. Sebastian and Julia fix their gaze on me, their mouths gaping in shock. The initial moment of stunned silence is palpable, charged with unspoken questions and mounting tension.

Sebastian, his brows knitting together in confusion, finally breaks the silence as he asks his wife in a failed attempt at discretion. “Wait. Johan is with Hannah?” His voice carries a note of disbelief that echoes around the room, drawing everyone’s attention even more acutely to the situation at hand.

Hannah, standing beside me, straightens her posture, her expression a mixture of relief and frustration.

“Nice to see you too, Dad.” The words come out with a strained politeness, a subtle undercurrent of defensiveness threading through her tone.

Sebastian finally steps forward, his eyes searching his daughter’s face as if trying to decode a complex puzzle. “Sorry, it’s just, I thought you’d tell me those things, you know.” His words are accompanied by a quick, affectionate kiss on her cheek and a brief, tight hug.

Hannah tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes momentarily dropping to the floor. The room feels charged with anticipation, everyone waiting for her response.

“Well, technically, we are just good friends,” she says, her voice quiet but steady. “But I needed some company and he accepted to join.”

“So you bring good friends over for Christmas now?” Elise asks, her tone filled with judgment. “I thought Johan was engaged. How come he is here?”

I look straight at Hannah, wondering if she’s the one who spoke about it. Her eyes widen slightly, and her face flushes with anger as she glares at her mother. “Mom! Did you tell her?”

“No need. I know everything,” Elise interjects before their mom can respond, her eyes flashing with accusation.

I step in, placing a protective hand around Hannah’s waist. “It’s a complicated matter, Elise. The engagement has been forced on me. Your grandmother and great-aunt know about it.”

“Great-aunt?” Elise echoes, her confusion mirrored in her parents’ faces.

“Yes?” I hear from behind me.

At that moment, Amelia steps into the room from behind us, her presence commanding immediate attention. She wears a stunning velvet green dress that clings gracefully to her frame, the rich color complementing her striking appearance. Her long grey hair is pulled up into a high ponytail, accentuating herelegant features and giving her an air of timeless beauty. All eyes shift to her, the room filled with a mixture of shock and curiosity.

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