19
Vidar left Miranda's office completely paralyzed. How could his whole world fall apart in just a few days? First Olivia and now Jasmine. He didn't know which was worse. Well, of course he did. Having an affair with his wife's sister, who ended up being pregnant, was a million times worse than his little game with the hotel's voluptuous housekeeper.
Vidar didn't know what had gotten into him lately. Everything had become so complicated since moving to Solvik. His pathetic job was the main reason. Actually, it was the cause of it all. He'd never been tempted by other women when they lived in Oslo. That basically made Miranda's father responsible for all this. Why couldn't William have assigned him a proper job? If not hotel manager, then at least finance manager. But no, the jerk that Miranda was about to crawl into bed with had landed that significant position. What was Gabriel doing in Miranda's office anyway? He didn't like it one bit but would have to worry about it later. Right now, he had plenty of other stuff to straighten out.
His thoughts went to his former job, which also had to take its due share for what had happened. If the IT company hadn't been taken over, making him redundant, he'd still be perfectly satisfied. Life would have moved on at a leisurely pace. Now he didn't know what would happen next. Did Miranda plan on kicking him out? File for divorce? He cursed himself for not being more careful. If he'd used his head, he could have avoided this.
Vidar walked with purposeful steps toward the spa. He had to make sure Miranda was telling the truth. He knew she was because she never lied. And yet, he needed to hear it from Jasmine herself.
He found his wife's younger sister sitting alone with a glass of water, and a magazine on her lap. She jumped up when she saw him and flung herself around his neck.
"Oh Vidar, I'm so happy to see you. I've so much to tell you."
He freed himself from her grip. "I bet you do." He wasn't pleased to see her, but she was beautiful with her long, curly hair. Her light-blue eyes were a sharp contrast to the red hues of her hair, making her even more gorgeous.
"Is it true you're pregnant?"
She looked at him, apprehensive. "Did you talk to Miranda?"
He nodded and looked at her gravely.
She covered her face with her hands. "She should've let me tell you myself."
"It's a bit late for that. I guess she assumed you'd told me ages ago. How long did you plan on keeping it a secret?" He spoke way too loudly and was angry and disappointed at the same time.
"As long as I could. I'm keeping the baby anyway, so what does it matter?" She smiled cautiously and looked at him with pleading eyes, but he didn't let himself be fooled. Did she really believe they could continue their affair?
"Jasmine, I'm married. Have you forgotten?"
She shrugged. "You seem to have forgotten that fact yourself, especially since you've been with other women as well as me. Olivia! What were you thinking? I thought I was the only one." She began sniffling, and her tears started anew.
He sighed, discouraged, and pulled his hair. "But Jasmine, you've got Hugo. It's the same situation. He's married, and I'm married. And none of us should be with people other than our spouses, but that's another story. You haven't been with anyone else, besides us?" It wasn't nice to ask, but he had to know. He almost hoped for an affirmative answer, as it would make the chances of his being the father much smaller.
She shook her head, miffed. "Of course not."
Naturally. It would be too good to be true. "What does Hugo say?"
"He's less excited than I'd hoped. He doesn't want more children." She dried some tears with her fingers.
"And you think I do?" He laughed haughtily. "You are sorely mistaken."
She eyed him, disappointed. "I thought we were good together. It felt like it."
"It was a mistake, Jasmine. It should never have happened. The fact that you're Miranda's sister makes it worse. We need to end it."
Her tears were back, but he couldn't start comforting her now. If he did, he would succumb to her again.
"I know," she said through her tears. "What we've done to Miranda isn't right. But I didn't make this baby on my own, Vidar. If it's yours, you'll have to pay child support for eighteen years." Her gaze was cold, and it dawned on him what was about to happen.
"But all I have is a wretched janitor's salary. It doesn't last long." It wasn't entirely true, because the pay was more than fair for this kind of work.
"You should've thought of that before charming me. I don't know how long you'll keep that salary."
Vidar stood up all of a sudden and hurried out of the room and up to his small office. He plopped down on his office chair. He didn't even have a sofa to relax on. Miranda's office was the size of other peoples' apartments and had many of the same facilities. He felt envy like never before.
His thoughts went back to Jasmine. For a moment, he was somewhat pleased with himself. He'd ended the affair, he hoped. It was the right thing to do, and he was proud of being so decisive. He didn't know what would happen at home. Was Miranda willing to give him another chance? He hoped so but wasn't at all sure. He'd made a blunder, not only once, but twice. Was it too much to pray for forgiveness?
20
Miranda tried to concentrate on the manuscript in front of her. It was difficult to think about the characters and the plot, and she eventually gave up. The children were in their rooms, most likely playing instead of studying for their impending tests. She didn't have the energy to argue with them, so she let them be. There were lots of other worries to deal with.
Vidar had left for his training session, and she was glad to see him go. It shouldn't be like that, but she didn't know how anything should be these days. Last night had been uncomfortable. They'd sat in silence on separate sofas. Vidar hoped for forgiveness, and she dreamt of turning back time. Everything had been easier when they lived in Oslo, and Vidar was content at work. They'd been happy. How frustrating that everything could change because of a job, or lack of one.
Miranda kept imagining Vidar with Olivia and Jasmine. Her brain seemed to have hooked them together, permanently. Where had he been with her sister? In her apartment, the one her lover Hugo owned. Good thing Hugo hadn't shown up and surprised them. She pictured the scene that would have been...
Miranda fought hard to rid herself of the negative thoughts, but it was almost impossible. Ruminating about what her husband had done with these women was depressing. How on earth could she forgive something like that? She needed to find a solution but couldn't spot any.
She gave up on her writing and turned off the PC. It would have to wait until things calmed down and she had a head that worked. It was Saturday, and she'd arranged to meet Isabella at the spa. It was exactly what she needed now.
They lay on the comfortable sunbeds in the spa, relaxing. They'd been to the Turkish hammam today and didn't regret it. Body peeling, soap foam wash, and massage had done wonders. Their muscles had been kneaded like they were minced meat, and she felt beaten up, but in a good way.
"That was pure bliss." Isabella sighed, contented. "To think we can offer hammam with Turkish therapists. You won't find many places like that in our country."
"You're right. Dad thought of everything. I have mixed feelings about him, but he knew his business."
A woman came over to them with glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice. They thanked her, and Miranda knew it was time to tell Isabella about Jasmine. Her stomach ached, just thinking about it, but Isabella was her best friend. They'd always been close and had shared their joys and sorrows through the years.
"I had another shock yesterday when I found out who might've made Jasmine pregnant."
"Really, she told you? I didn't think she would. I thought she'd keep the potential fathers on the rack until birth." Isabella shot her a disapproving look followed by pouting lips.
"It might've been a better choice. At least when it's my husband who's been at it again."
Isabella sat up so quickly her towel fell off.
"You're kidding."
"I wish I were." She recounted the story about her meetings with Jasmine and Vidar.
"You poor thing. If there is anything I can do to help."
They remained reclined, discussing the issue and her options, but didn't make much progress. First and foremost, Miranda had to assess her feelings for Vidar.
They showered and dressed, then met at the bar for a cup of tea. The Sea Star had few tables, and a couple were taken.
Miranda stirred sugar into her tea and was glad she'd confided in her sister. Sharing made troublesome things lighter to bear, knowing you weren't alone with the hurt. "I'm fortunate to have you."
"Likewise." Isabella smiled, encouraging. "It'll work out. Perhaps not right now, but just wait and see."
"Let's hope so." She didn't know how this could end well, but she wasn't one to worry unnecessarily. They would work out their issues eventually. The question was more, in what way.
Then she remembered the necklace she'd found and relayed it to Isabella.
"I believed it was for me," Miranda said, looking sadly into the distance. "A belated birthday present. I wonder who's received it. Olivia or Jasmine? Or some other woman, for all I know."
"Gosh, that sounds dreadful."
"Jasmine didn't mention anything about a necklace when we last talked," Miranda said. "But why would she? There was no way she could have known that I'd seen it."
"It's impossible to know whose neck it's hanging around." Isabella covered her mouth. "Sorry, it came out all wrong."
Miranda gave her a weak smile. "It's better to say it like it is."
"I must be seeing things." Isabella gaped at the couple walking toward them. "Isn't that Mom? But who's she with?"
"Don't know."
As usual, Elvira wore fluttering clothes with a flowery pattern. Her dress was floor length and made quite a show as she glided across the lobby. Her necklace was long and her earrings large. They matched all her rings and bracelets. She was a real flower child who didn't realize the hippie era had ended several decades ago. Miranda almost laughed. Her mother was something else altogether.
"Is this where you're enjoying yourselves?" Elvira smiled at her daughters and nodded at the man beside her. "This is Neil Wilson, who I've known for years. He's from Scotland."
They greeted each other. Neil was an elegant man, tall and slender with thick white hair and blue eyes. He addressed them in English as he didn't know any Norwegian. He held his arm protectively around Elvira's shoulder, and Miranda noticed how her mother beamed.
"What a unique hotel," Neil said, eagerly looking around. "The location is superb, out at the mouth of the fjord."
He sounded so enthusiastic that Miranda, for a second, wondered if he intended to lay his hands on Elvira's inheritance. But her mother had not inherited any part of the hotel, as the children had. All she had was the apartment, but what an apartment. It was exclusive and had the best view in town. However, Elvira couldn't sell it, if she wanted to. William had made sure of that in his will. So, who was Neil? And what did he want?
"Yes, it's a special place," Miranda said, smiling. She liked the man, and he made an excellent first impression. He appeared assured and seemed to care for Elvira. It was exactly what her mother needed.
"Neil lives in Edinburgh," said Elvira. "He's a high school teacher but has retired now. I didn't understand a thing when he showed up here earlier today."
Neil nodded gently and kissed Elvira's cheek. Miranda saw her mother blush. She'd never seen her like this before.
"How long will you be staying?" Miranda looked at him.
"We'll see."
"He's staying in my apartment," Elvira announced. It was more information than Miranda needed.
"I'd like to invite all of Elvira's family for dinner here tonight. I want to meet everyone, young and old. I hope you can make it." Neil looked at them expectantly.
Miranda groaned under her breath. Was she supposed to sit at the table with Vidar and the children for hours, pretending to be a happy family? That would be very tough. Only Isabella knew the full extent of what had happened. The others knew a little, and some knew nothing.
"We'd love to," she heard herself reply, for lack of something better.
"Looking forward to it," Isabella said. She smiled at the couple in love.
"Great." Elvira looked relieved. "We're off to lunch. See you tonight."
They watched as they left for the restaurant, hand in hand.
"I'll say." Miranda looked at her sister. "Mom has a knack for surprising us when we least expect it." She got up. "I'd better get home to check if the children have started on their homework."
Isabella followed suit. "It'll be an interesting evening. I wonder what plans Neil Wilson has."
Both Vidar and the teens were looking forward to dinner at the hotel. Vidar probably thought everything was perfectly all right, as there hadn't been any confrontations today. Sofie and Noah anticipated eating something other than Miranda's boring leftovers for dinner.
They sat at a long table at one end of the restaurant. Miranda had Vidar and Kitty on either side and across from her were Mom and Neil. She was pleased to see Celine and her daughter, and that Elvira felt they were part of the family. Since they rented an apartment in the same house as Isabella, they had come to the hotel together.
Miranda scanned the others sitting at the table. It occurred to her how few children were present, only Sofie, Noah and Patricia. None of the other siblings had started a family of their own. It was strange, as they weren't especially young, any of them. And a little sad too, that her children didn't have any cousins to grow up with. But now, one was on the way. She felt a knot in her stomach just thinking about what awaited them in a few months. She wasn't eager for Christmas to come this year.
The appetizers arrived, and the mood around the table was pleasant. Neil proved to be calm but outgoing, and he listened rather than talked. He and Elvira were head over heels in love, and Miranda couldn't help feeling envious. It had been like that with her and Vidar too, but it was ages ago.
"What a charming man," Kitty whispered to Miranda. She wasn't good at English and depended on others translating for her. "My dear Freddy was the same, but not as ruddy, though. What do you think his plans are?"
Miranda dropped translating. "Beats me. It looks like they care for each other."
Kitty laughed heartily. "Yes, indeed. He must be hungry for more than food, that one."
Neil told them about life in Scotland while they were eating. He'd divorced years ago. He had two adult sons who were married and three grandkids. They all lived in Edinburgh and saw each other often. Miranda was dreamy for a moment. It all sounded so idyllic.
"He's got a huge house," Elvira said, looking at Neil, "or rather, a mansion."
"But even that's not enough," he said dismally. "I've proposed to Elvira, but she's declined."
There were several gasps along the table. "Wouldn't that be lovely, Mom? Now that you're free, you can do what you like." Miranda thought that was what her mother had always done. The fact that William was dead didn't matter to Elvira. They'd both done as they pleased for as long as she could recall.
Elvira blushed. "Maybe. But I like being unattached. I was committed for long enough when William was alive."
"You always did what you felt like," Isabella commented. "I can't see the difference."
"It's the feeling," her mother continued, with emotion in her voice and waving her hands for emphasis.
"I'd like to live in a mansion," Sofie said, looking dreamily ahead. "That would be something, instead of the tiny house we're renting now."
"Material benefits don't tempt me," Elvira said and looked at Neil. "They never have."
Kitty looked at them. "I'd never decline living in a mansion. How exciting! Unfortunately, my dear Freddy never made enough money to buy me a place like that," she sighed.
Miranda patted her arm comfortingly, and Patricia on the other side of
Kitty did the same.
"What's a mansion, Great-grandma?" Curious, the five-year-old peered at her.
"Almost the same as a small castle, where you can live like a queen. With servants and all."
"Oh, what fun. Can we visit the castle someday?"
Kitty laughed warmly and stroked her hair. "We may. If we can persuade Elvira to get married."
At that moment, dessert was served, and Miranda took in the mango and baked pineapple in front of her. A generous scoop of coconut sorbet lay beside it, the plate decorated with passion fruit sauce. What a delightful meal it had been. Not only the food itself, but Vidar had exceeded her expectations as well. He sat far from Jasmine, making eye contact impossible. She knew it was only a short postponement but enjoyed it to the fullest. Her problems would await her at home when dinner was over. They wouldn't disappear, even if they tried to ignore each other. They were fooling themselves, and self-delusion never solved anything.
"You're so quiet today, Jasmine." Kitty bent forward to see her granddaughter properly. "Are you not feeling well? You're usually much livelier."
"I'm fine, Grandma. I'm pregnant, that's all. And that's not an illness, as far as I know." Jasmine took a spoon of her lemon tart as if it was the most natural thing in the world to have a child without being married or at least having a marriage on the horizon.
Kitty scratched her ear as if she didn't hear well. "Huh?"
"You'll be a great-grandma come Christmas."
"Great-grandma? I can't wait! Is it this guy you've been seeing for the last few years? I haven't been invited to any wedding yet, have I?" Kitty looked around, but several of them shook their heads. It wasn't easy to fathom Jasmine's reasoning.
"Either him or Vidar."
Miranda felt her whole world collapse anew. How could her sister reveal this when Sofie and Noah were present? They hadn't informed them yet. The children were unsuspecting of their father's affair.
"Vidar? I only know one Vidar." Puzzled, Kitty observed Vidar's tomato-red face. He kept his eyes fixed on the tablecloth, and her expression turned to shock.
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