Page 69 of Johan.

“I just did tonight,” I retort, my irritation growing.

“Her dad told me she was in bed by 12:30! She barely saw you,” he shouts.

I puff out a frustrated breath, feeling cornered, but Dad proceeds, “Conrad covered for you the first week. We covered the second. Now it's time to man up and face your future.” Pressing my lips together, I shake my head but stay silent, knowing that arguing further will only make things worse. Seeing my resistance, he continues, “Did you see all the people who were present tonight? Dean Pembroke was there, your own head of department, Sir Gregory from the council; I even saw a few MPs and ambassadors. Don’t you see how bright your future looks like?”

Tired of his incessant pressure, I finally snap. “Maybe you should start thinking about selling the estate and paying Ludovic the debt you owe him ‘cause I’m leaving tomorrow.”

My dad’s face turns a dangerous shade of red. “Oh, you aren’t. You are going to call Astrid tomorrow, ask her how she’s doing, and ask her if she wants to spend the week with you.”

I puff instantly at his words. “Or else what?”

Dad glares at me through the rearview mirror. “Or else I swear to God, I'll make sure Ludovic and Astrid know everything about your double life.”

His threat chills me to the bone. I swallow hard, a surge of hate freezing my veins. “You wouldn’t dare.”

He locks eyes with me, his gaze menacing and unyielding. “Try me.”

25

Hannah

I’mjolted awake by the insistent buzzing of my phone on the nightstand. Squinting at the screen, I see Johan’s name flashing, and anxiety tightens my chest as I answer.

“Hey, baby, how are you?” I try to sound calm, but my voice betrays my concern.

“Not well. I just had a huge fight with my dad,” he says, his voice heavy with frustration.

I sit up immediately, my heart pounding in my chest. “What kind of fight?”

Johan heaves a long sigh, laced with frustration. “He wants me to spend the week with Astrid.”

“What?” The word escapes me in a gasp, the shock making it hard to breathe. I try to process what he’s saying, my mind struggling to catch up.

“He’s messed up. I told him I was going to the Alps with Conrad as a cover-up to visit you, but he said I have to spend the week with her instead.”

“Or else what?” I ask in apprehension.

“Or else he'll tell her and her dad the truth about my whereabouts. He knows I spent Christmas with you.”

Tears well up in my eyes, my mind racing with the implications. While Johan managed to escape her tonight, the threat of him being forced to have sex with Astrid looms heavily over us. I clutch the phone tightly, my knuckles turning white.

“Hannah, are you there?”

“Yes,” I breathe, struggling to keep my voice steady. “What are you going to do?”

“I'm thinking of poisoning that bitch once and for all,” he replies, pain and anger clear in his voice.

A shiver runs down my spine. “You'll be caught, don’t,” I respond, fear spiking through me. “The last thing I want is to see you behind bars for murder.”

I try to think of a solution, my mind grasping at straws. “If your dad tells Astrid and Ludovic about us, they'll tell the Dean what I did, get me expelled, and you won't go on the expedition. Ludovic will keep stealing artifacts, and my aunt will never have justice.”

“I know, but is it really worth it to keep up with the plan? What about us?” Johan asks, desperation creeping into his tone.

I bite my lip, feeling the weight of our predicament crushing me, but we need a way out. “What if she gets food poisoning? Is there a way for her to eat contaminated food and just get sick for a few days?” I suggest, my voice trembling with the enormity of what I’m implying.

There’s a long pause on the other end. I can almost hear Johan’s mind working through the possibilities. “That’s fucking crazy, but I love it.” He pauses, pondering a bit further. “I have no idea how to make it happen, though. It’s the staff who buys the food and cooks.” I can hear the mix of resignation and despair in his voice which crushes me even more.

I sigh deeply, the weight of our situation pressing down on me like a physical burden. There’s no way he will manage to leave for Oman without spending a few nights with her. “Whatever you do, I’ll forgive you.” I can’t stop the tears streaming down my cheeks, and I sniff back. “I know you have done everything in your power to prevent it.”

---