Page 45 of Johan.

“You are Elise, aren't you? The second oldest?” Amelia asks to a very much stunned Elise.

“Auntie, I thought… I thought you were dead,” Julia whispers, her voice breaking with emotion upon seeing her.

Amelia smiles gently, her gaze softening as she looks at her niece. “I’m very much alive, Julia. It’s a long story, but I’m here now.”

Julia rushes forward and embraces her aunt, holding her tightly. The room buzzes with whispers and exclamations, the family grappling with the sudden revelations. The tension shifts, the focus moving from Hannah and me to Amelia.

Questions fly as everyone tries to make sense of what happened. Amelia, composed and steady, explains her disappearance, addressing as many inquiries as she can. The room buzzes with a mixture of relief, disbelief, and curiosity.

Suddenly, the doorbell rings, and Stuart rushes to answer it. Andries and Roxanne step inside, shaking off the cold, and Margaret’s face immediately softens with visible relief.

“Thank heavens,” she mutters, moving to greet her grandson and his wife.

Roxanne looks stunning in a red Carmen dress, a faux-fur coat draped elegantly over her shoulders. Her short blonde hair is styled like Marilyn Monroe's, which is exactly how I remember her from their wedding. Andries helps her remove the coat, revealing the full elegance of her dress.

He looks around, taking in the atmosphere and sensing the tension. “Did I miss something?” Andries asks, his brow furrowing as he scans the room.

Margaret steps forward, her voice calm but filled with emotion. “Andries, Roxanne, meet Amelia. My sister, who we thought was lost to us.”

“Wow.” Andries’ eyes widen in shock, and he looks at Amelia, then back at Margaret. “You have a sister?” he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes,” Margaret confirms, her voice trembling slightly. “And she’s back.”

Andries steps forward, a broad smile spreading across his face. “Welcome back, Aunt Amelia,” he says warmly, embracing her and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

Roxanne follows suit, hugging Amelia and kissing her other cheek. “It’s wonderful to meet you,” she says, her eyes sparkling with warmth.

Dan, who has been standing quietly beside Elise, steps up and clears his throat. “I’m Dan, Elise’s boyfriend. It’s an honor to meet you, Amelia.” He turns to Elise, nudging her gently.

Elise hesitates, her earlier cold demeanor softening. “Yes, um, and I’m Elise,” she says, finally stepping forward. “It’s... nice to meet you.”

Amelia smiles warmly at them. “Thank you, Dan. And Elise, it’s lovely to meet you both," she says, her voice filled with genuine warmth.

The room fills with renewed excitement as the family adjusts to the presence of their long-lost relative. Hannah and I stand together, watching as the attention shifts away from us and onto Amelia. The atmosphere begins to lighten, the holiday spirit slowly returning.

I tighten my grip on Hannah’s waist, feeling a sense of unity and resolve. Whatever challenges lie ahead, we’ll face them together, surrounded by family and the promise of new beginnings.

Oma Margaret steps in, her voice calm but authoritative. “Everyone, let’s move to the dining room. We have much to discuss, and it’s best we do it over a meal.”

Reluctantly, the family begins to move, the air still thick with tension. As we walk, Hannah leans into me, whispering, “Thank you.”

“Always,” I whisper back, my resolve strengthening.

The dining room is cozy and warmly lit, a stark contrast to the grand gala dinners I’m used to with my family. Margaret has opted for a small, intimate Christmas Eve dinner with just her daughter Julia and her family. I appreciate the simplicity, given the delicate relationship between Hannah and me. The table is set with simple but elegant decor, and the aroma of home-cooked food fills the air.

As I sit at the table, I can’t help but recall Hannah calling me a good friend earlier. While it’s true, the title feels so small and inadequate. But given the circumstances, what could we be if not good friends? My mind drifts to the Cotswolds, to the moment when I told Hannah I loved her, and the way she asked me to never say that again until I was a free man… It still stings to this day, especially since she knows why I'm still trapped in that engagement.

My thoughts are interrupted by Sebastian, who’s sitting diagonally across from me, right beside Elise. He leans forward with a teasing smile. “So, Johan, do you know if Hannah has been studying diligently? I hope she hasn’t caused too much trouble?”

Hannah rolls her eyes and rebukes her dad, but I chuckle and say, “She isn't causing any trouble.” It’s a lie, of course. I think of the two objects she stole due to her kleptomania, but it’s not my place to talk about it. “I think Hannah is enjoying Cambridge; she already knows quite a lot of people there.”

Elise steps in, her tone probing. “Don't you miss home, though?”

“Well, if she never came to visit us, maybe she doesn’t,” Sebastian replies, trying to be supportive but failing to hide his disappointment. “But it's good. Glad you're enjoying your life, far from home.”

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.

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