Page 23 of Johan.

“Thank you, Hannah,” he replies, his voice equally soft, his eyes reflecting a mix of sadness and resolve. There’s a world of unspoken words in that simple exchange, but neither of us can say them here.

Astrid launches into a conversation with another guest, and I take the opportunity to step away, needing a moment to collect myself. Conrad follows, his hand still on mine, his grip firm and reassuring.

“Do you want to get some air?” he asks gently, his tone full of understanding.

I nod, grateful for his sensitivity. We slip out onto the terrace, where the cool evening air provides a welcome respite from the stifling atmosphere inside. The gardens are beautifully lit, and the scent of flowers fills the air. It should be romantic, but all I feel is a crushing sense of loss.

Conrad stands beside me, silent but supportive. He doesn’t push me to talk, giving me the space I need. After a few minutes, I turn to him, my eyes misty with unshed tears.

“Thank you, Conrad. For everything,” I say, my voice trembling with emotion.

“You don’t have to thank me, Hannah. I’m here for you, whatever you need,” he replies, his gaze steady and unwavering.

I nod, taking a deep breath. “I just need to get through tonight.”

He nods, understanding without needing more words. Together, we return to the party, ready to face whatever comes next.

The night stretches on, filled with laughter and celebration, but beneath it all, there’s an undercurrent of tension, a sense that things aren’t as perfect as they seem. As I watch Johan and Astrid together, I can’t help but hope that somehow, against all odds, our love will find a way to prevail. As the evening progresses, I know I have a mission to complete. I glance around, searching for the right moment.

Finally, I see Ludovic approaching Astrid and Johan. This is my cue. It’s Johan’s job to keep him entertained. My heart races as I slip away, making my way towards the staircase. Each step feels heavy, laden with the weight of my mission. Ludovic’s office is upstairs, and I need to find Amelia’s research file.

The hallways are quieter here, the distant murmur of the party fading as I approach the door to Ludovic’s office. I take a deep breath, pausing for a moment and glancing around to make sure I wasn’t being followed, then carefully turn the handleand slip inside. The room is dimly lit, filled with rich mahogany furniture and the scent of leather-bound books. Closing the door behind me, I let my eyes adjust to the dim light, taking in the opulent surroundings. There are heavy velvet drapes on the windows, a large mahogany desk strewn with papers, and bookshelves lining the walls, filled with leather-bound volumes that look as old as the house itself. The soft glow from a brass lamp on the desk casts long shadows across the room, adding to the atmosphere of secrecy and history.

I move towards a bookshelf, running my fingers over the spines, looking for anything out of place. The air smells faintly of old books and polished wood, a comforting yet intimidating scent. My heart pounds in my chest, the seconds ticking by agonizingly slowly. I scan the titles, my fingers brushing against the leather bindings, looking for something that stands out.

Suddenly, I hear footsteps approaching. Panic grips me, and I dart behind a long curtain, pressing myself against the wall, hoping the heavy fabric will hide me.

The door creaks open, and someone enters. I peer through a small gap in the curtain, watching as he moves towards the bookshelf. He reaches up and takes down a book. Just like Amelia told me, when he lifts the hardcover, there are no pages but a container with something inside. It’s a secret box. My breath catches as I see him take out a small velvet bag from inside it. He then closes the book and puts it back on the shelves. Then he quickly leaves the room, and I wait a few moments before stepping out from my hiding place, my heart still racing.

I move to the shelf where the man had been, my eyes scanning the hardbacks. They all look like ordinary books, but I focus on the biggest one, an encyclopedia. I carefully pull it from the shelf and open it. Inside, I find a file with Amelia’s name on it. I open it and see pictures of her at an excavation in the desert, including maps, correspondence and reports.This is it!My heartraces as I realize I’ve found what I was looking for. I close the dossier and tuck it into my backpack, which I had hidden under my shawl. I replace the encyclopedia on the shelf and make my way back downstairs, my mind racing with the implications of what I’ve found.

As I rejoin the crowd, I hear Ludovic’s voice carrying above the murmur of conversation. He’s making a toast in honor of Astrid and Johan. I watch as they stand beside him, smiles plastered on their faces. Ludovic and everyone else are holding flutes of champagne, and he raises his glass to the crowd.

“We always knew Johan was the right partner for Astrid,” Ludovic says, his voice booming with confidence and pride. “Ever since my daughter told us about their torrid summer two years ago, it was just a matter of time.”

“Dad!” Astrid snaps in embarrassment, causing everyone to laugh.

“Oops.” Ludovic puts his fingers up to his mouth, acting like a little boy caught in gossip.

The crowd laughs at Ludovic’s humor, and my heart tightens painfully. I can barely breathe as I watch Johan and Astrid together, the perfect picture of a happy couple.

“Anyway, to the future bride and groom!”

Then Astrid leans in to kiss Johan, and my heart stutters to a stop as Johan lets her. The room erupts in cheers as I turn on my heels, unable to watch any longer. I make my way outside to a quiet part of the garden, my chest tight with emotion. I find a secluded spot by the fountain, its gentle trickle of water offering a soothing contrast to the muffled noise of the party. I sit down on the edge of the fountain, the cool stone pressing into my palms, and take a few deep breaths, trying to calm my racing thoughts. The garden is beautifully lit with soft fairy lights strung through the trees, casting a warm glow over the meticulously manicured lawns and flowerbeds. The scent ofroses and jasmine hangs in the air, a sweet fragrance that should be comforting but only amplifies my turmoil. Despite wearing a gown and a warm shawl around my shoulders, the chill of November doesn’t go unnoticed, but at this point, I couldn’t care less. I close my eyes, the image of Johan and Astrid kissing replaying in my mind, each replay tightening the knot in my chest.

After a few minutes, I hear footsteps approaching. I look up to see Conrad making his way toward me, concern etched on his face. He holds a bottle of vodka in his hand, and he gives me a sympathetic smile as he sits down beside me.

“I figured you might need a drink,” he says softly, his voice filled with genuine concern.

I manage a weak smile. “You read my mind.”

Conrad twists off the cap and takes a swig from the bottle before passing it to me. The vodka burns as it goes down, but the warmth is a welcome distraction from the ache in my heart. We sit in silence for a few moments, passing the bottle back and forth, the alcohol slowly loosening the tightness in my chest. I take a few deep breaths, my eyes looking up at the sky to avoid the growing tears from falling.

“Are you okay?” His voice is softer now, more intimate.

I shake my head, unable to hold back the tears any longer. They spill over, sliding down my cheeks. “It’s just been a long night,” I murmur, trying to downplay the depth of my feelings.

Conrad takes my hand, his grip firm and reassuring. “You don’t have to pretend. I know you have feelings for Johan.”

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