Page 95 of Hannah.
I snort, but there is zero amusement in me. “Generous? Astrid, be serious.”
“We are! We’llsaveHannah’s chance to be a student here. She committed two huge crimes, and my father and I are willing to let it go and delete the video taps. We're offering to cover up her crimesandlet your dad’s debts go; all we want in return is for you to take this relationship between us seriously.”
I can't even look at her. She’s a complete stranger to me now. “And if I don’t?”
She shrugs casually, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips. “Then, her kleptomania will go public, and her acceptance to Cambridge will be revoked. Hannah is a smart girl—surely she knows the risks of what she's done. If she has to suffer the consequences, then so be it.”
“And you?” I snap, gritting my teeth. “Don’t you have to suffer the consequences, too? Aren’t there any repercussions forblackmailing me and my family? Or are you content to ruin lives to get what you want?”
She straightens her shoulders and lifts her chin, giving me a haughty glare. “You and Hannah made poor choices, and that's on both of you.”
“Hannah never meant any harm.”
“Stop defending her, Johan! What’s wrong with you? She is a thief!”
“Don’t you dare,” I growl, getting to my feet. “You have no right to judge her for anything. She stole two things, sure, but when I confronted her, she gave them to me. They're upstairs right now. No one has been hurt by her actions except you and your damn pride!”
“Johan.” Astrid stands as well and reaches out toward me, but I take a step back. “There is no way this thing with Hannah will work. My father's connections will make sure of it. You’re not going to be able to help her.”
“Astrid, just let it go.” If she asks me to beg, I will do it. Anything to make things right. “Call your dad off. Please. We can both be happy with other people.”
She doesn't respond. She just turns her face away and then folds her hands in front of her. “You should’ve thought about it before hurting me.”
I tilt my head to the sky, closing my eyes, my skull full to bursting with a painful headache and unnameable grief. I can’t escape this. Astrid has me cornered. “This isn't like you. I know it isn’t.”
She goes to sit on the bench, her eyes locking on mine as she leans back. “You’d be surprised how pain can change people.”
“Your dad,” I grit out, then I sit beside her, facing her fully. “He's behind this, but you can stop it. All you have to do is say the word.”
“Stop trying to pin the blame on him. He just wants me to be happy.”
“Astrid, look?—”
She stands again abruptly, taking a few steps away from me. “We’re done here.” Her voice’s thick and final. Then, bizarrely, she laughs, and there's an edge of madness to it. Like she can't really believe this is all happening, even if she is the aggressor. She turns to face me, and since she’s standing, I leave the bunch to meet her. “You know, I knew something was up, but I just couldn't figure out who had caught your eye. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be my new friend Hannah—the same friend who stole from my show's collection. The two of you deserve each other, really, as cruel as you both are. But she's not going to get you.” Astrid had been looking away, but now her eyes snap back to mine. “I am.”
“Astrid—” I step forward but pause, not knowing what to do. “Don’t?—”
“Here's what we're going to do,” she cuts me off, and the crazed tone to her voice has abated, leaving behind only resignation. “We're going to get engaged. It’s going to be huge news, and everyone is going to congratulate me. If you behave and play your part, we'll continue the engagement, and you can thank your lucky stars that I’m even giving you a second chance. If you don't behave, I’ll be the one to publicly break off the engagement and tell everyone the truth about Hannah, the home-wrecker and thief. Not only will she get expelled, but having a little affair with a fresher will cost you your job and academic future. Do you understand?”
I feel hollow, empty, and devastated. It’s like everything I’ve worked for has just been torn from my hands, leaving me grasping for air. I almost fall back on the bench as I sit, my head resting between my hands. There is no escape. It is a lose-lose situation, no matter which way I look at it.
“I do.”
“Good.” She stands a few feet from me, her expression stern. “I'll expect a ring next week or so, and after that, there will be a party.”
“Astrid…please….” When I see her turning on her heels, I stand up, reach out, and catch her wrist.
But she jerks her arm free from my hold. “This is your fault, Johan. Not mine. Stop begging me to stop when it was you who started all of this.”
“Can't you forgive Hannah? You've forgiven worse. She values your friendship so much.”
“I can’t, no,” she snaps before pointing a finger at me. “I’m giving you one last chance, and if you blow it, I will destroy you both.”
Her eyes are filled with rage and hurt. There is nothing left to say. Nothing else to argue. She leaves, striding out of our discussion, and all I can do is accept it. Astrid and her father have won, and I am the loser.
25
Hannah