Epilogue
A year later, Paternoster, South Africa
Suzette smoothed her palms down the soft folds of her gown, catching Miem’s eye in the mirror. “It feels like … forever,” she whispered, a shaky smile forming. “But it’s only been a year since he walked into my life.”
Somehow, a single year had rewritten everything — her hopes, her heart, her future.
Miem, standing behind her, placing the final aquamarine-encrusted hairpin, murmured just as softly, “Stop making me cry.”
“You cry at all weddings,” Suzette teased, snatching a tissue from the nearby box. “Even when you don’t know the bride and groom.”
Miem took the tissue and dabbed under her eyes. “This is different,” she sniffed. “This is yours, Poppie. Yours. I am … so happy for you. Justin loves you … so … much.” Her chin wobbled and she dabbed furiously. “And he’s so good to you. Good for you.”
“Darn it, Miem,” Suzette muttered, taking a tissue of her own. “Now you’re making me cry.”
But her friend was right. She had never anticipated being this happy — never expected to find a love so vast and glorious it swept away her doubts and fears, wrapping her in a blanket of confidence and immense joy. No matter what problems their life together brought, they would rise above them.
Just as they had over the last twelve months …
The past year had been a mix of triumphs and challenges — good days and messy ones. Unfortunately, they were apart more than together. Justin started the year in LA finalizing A Soldier’s Echo and filming in-studio for Operation: Last Stand.
She flew to him in March and had five lovely days together at his Malibu house, although she preferred the quieter and simpler life of Paternoster. Then it was on to Europe and on-site filming for him, and Texas for her to celebrate Sophie’s first birthday.
It was heartwarming to see how Esther had settled into married life — and especially motherhood.
Bonding with Max’s baby daughter had taken Essie a little while, but witnessing the depth of their connection now was something truly special. No one would ever guess they weren’t related by blood. She had also spent some quality time with Branna and Jonathan, and of course, Maebh.
The octogenarian preened with delight, taking full credit for her and Justin’s relationship. “Ah now, the moment I saw you dancing with him, I knew. You’ve a long happy life ahead. One filled with love and blessings.”
The flight home from Texas had been, well, long, and it took everything in her not to throw caution to the wind and join Justin in Europe.
But his filming schedule was relentless, and she’d hardly see him even if she did.
Instead, they video-called daily, and every morning she woke to a message from him — small, steady reminders that she was always on his mind.
She had put her time alone to good use, overseeing the renovations to the house the Meirings — after lengthy negotiations — had finally agreed to sell him. Well, her, really, since Justin insisted on putting the deed in her name despite all her protests.
How much time they’d spend in Paternoster was still undecided, and with that in mind, she had promoted Alma to assistant manager, training the woman in the areas where she lacked formal experience. That way she could take extended breaks, knowing the hotel and her team were in good hands.
Suzette joined Justin for a week in Budapest at the end of May. It was there, during a twilight cruise along the Danube, that he slipped a solitaire oval-cut aquamarine onto her ring finger.
SuZie fans went absolutely gaga over the photo JK posted, his caption simple and perfect: “She said yes!”
Naturally, he added a second photo — the obligatory kissing shot that somehow made its way into all his posts. Emily had long since abandoned any attempt to lecture them about being too cheesy.
Of course, there were detractors too, but neither of them spared those a moment’s thought.
Justin finally arrived back from Europe on a blustery, wet and cold day at the end of August. He was in Paternoster for a well-deserved two-week break before the month-long worldwide release tour for Soldier’s Echo that would take him across five continents and multiple cities.
Best part … she would be going with him on the tour.
No more long stretches apart. No more counting down the days until he came home. He had stepped into her world and changed her life, and she was done missing him for months on end. Yes, they’d had that magical week in Budapest, but everything between then and now had dragged unbearably.
His return happily coincided with the completion of the renovations made to the beach house and they were moving in.
“I hope you like what I’ve done,” she murmured, nerves suddenly sweeping through her as they stood in outside the front door. Justin had given her carte blanche with the renovations and the decorating.
She’d talked him through every step, of course, but seeing the changes in person was vastly different from viewing them via video calls or photos.
The bottom level of the house had been divided into three distinct areas — one reserved for the on-duty security team, another a private suite for guests, and a generous entertainment space with access to the pool, a full gym, and a dedicated screening room.
But the upper floor, with its three bedrooms, sun-warmed office, and a living area that opened onto an endless sweep of ocean, belonged only to them.
Their own private sanctuary in the world.
He pushed the door open and swept her into his arm. “Show me our bedroom first,” he murmured, starting up the stairs.
She laughed softly. “Why did I know you were going to say that?”
“Maybe because I’ve been dying to peel away every layer on your delectable body since the moment I saw you at the airport. It’s been a very long two-hour drive … preceded by an even longer two months.”
He tumbled them onto the bed, and for a blissful stretch of time, everything became about rediscovering each other — slowly, hungrily, completely.
“Never again,” he murmured, trailing lazy circles over her back as she nestled against him, the haze of lovemaking slowly lifting like sun-warmed mist.
She tensed, her hand going still. “Never again … what?”
He pressed his lips to her hair, his breath warm against her forehead. “Being apart,” he murmured. “I’m jealous of every moment I don’t get to spend with you.”
Relief flooded her, loosening every tight place inside her. She pushed up onto her elbow and gave him a serious look. “It’s inevitable.”
Justin met her gaze, equally earnest, and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I’m in talks with a local production company about expanding.
Doing the in-studio work here, filming locally.
South Africa has incredible locations — there’s no reason to go beyond these borders to shoot.
And when I do, you come with. Sound good? ”
“Sounds perfect.”
After two marvelous weeks settling into their new home, they left for the month-long release tour of A Soldier’s Echo.
She now fully understood the need for private travel.
Every seat on the jet was filled with the team accompanying them — security, his assistant, his publicist (she and Emily became fast friends), and even a stylist. Yes, she had a stylist. The woman was responsible for every wardrobe change, because apparently it simply would not do to repeat an outfit.
But watching A Soldier’s Echo had only cemented her understanding that Justin could never simply walk away from his career.
Powerful on its own, the film became something extraordinary through the emotion he poured into every frame — his finest performance to date.
And she wasn’t alone in that belief. Reviewers were already calling it an Oscar-winning role.
She had also learned something else: he had written most of the screenplay himself, shaped from long conversations he’d had with the soldier whose story it was.
And he hadn’t taken a cent for his role — not salary, not profit — choosing instead to donate every dollar to organisations that helped veterans get the care they so desperately deserved.
She was proud of him, impossibly so, and even prouder that he wanted her there with him. Instead of feeling small in his spotlight, she felt steadier, stronger … seen.
Chosen.
Once back in South Africa, they slipped into an easy routine. When she worked, he reviewed scripts, joined video-call meetings, or made the occasional trip to scout locations — always returning in time to slide into bed beside her.
“We’re ready!” Essie’s call jolted her back into the here and now.
She looked up just in time to see her daughter stutter to a halt, hands covering her mouth, eyes instantly filling with tears.
“Oh, Mom …”
“No crying,” Miem scolded, though her voice wavered dangerously.
“I can’t … help … it,” Essie stammered, blinking hard. “Mom looks … beautiful.”
Suzette rose to her feet with a helpless laugh, suddenly impatient and so damned ready to join Justin. “Will you two please stop with the tears? The man I love is waiting for me.”
She and Justin had agonized about how to keep their wedding low-key and, above all, a secret.
It was Justin who suggested holding the ceremony on the Sunday before Christmas, folding it into the annual holiday party for the hotel staff.
That way, all the important people in her life would already be gathered in one place.
Arranging for their immediate family to fly out — ostensibly to celebrate Christmas with them — was easy enough to pull off.
Just before the close of the afternoon, she slipped away and stepped into her wedding dress.
In dreamy shades of blue to match the pendant nestled between the curves of her breasts, the weightless layers of chiffon fluttering with every movement, she felt like Cinderella stepping out of a fairytale.
And when she caught sight of Justin waiting for her at the edge of the patio — her own prince charming, haloed by the sun lowering over the water — she felt the faint urge to pinch herself.
But it wasn’t a fairytale. It was real life.
And the love in his eyes, in the slow, reverent sweep of his gaze as he took her in, felt as real and solid and permanent as the great boulders on the beach below.
In that moment, with the sea murmuring below and his hand reaching for hers, she realized she’d finally found it — the place where she belonged.
Not a town, not a house … but a heart.
His.
*
Three months later, Los Angeles
The limousine eased to a stop at the edge of the red carpet, the world outside a frenzy of lights, cameras, and feverish cheering. Inside the quiet cocoon of the limo, Suzette’s fingers tightened around his, just enough for him to feel the nerves rippling through her.
He turned, drinking her in.
Red silk. God help him.
“You’re sensational,” he murmured.
She huffed a breath, nerves flickering in her eyes. “I’m going to trip on live television.”
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “You handled the entire release tour like a seasoned pro. Nine premieres, three morning shows — and you didn’t so much as wobble.” He leaned in, brushing a soft kiss against her temple. “You’ve got this.”
Outside, camera flashes strobed against the tinted windows, the energy simultaneously electric and chaotic. Anders opened their door, and a roar rose from the crowd as Justin stepped out, adjusting his tux, scanning the lines of fans pressed behind the barriers.
Then he turned back toward the open door, waiting for her.
She hesitated. He gave her a reassuring smile, took her hand in his, and helped her from the car, guiding her up with all the reverence he felt.
The dress clung and flowed in all the right places, catching the light and turning her into something otherworldly. Her hair spilled over her shoulders in loose, glossy waves — effortless, elegant, the kind of beauty stylists spent hours trying to fake.
The crowd reacted instantly. Gasps, cheers, a swell of flashbulbs that lit her up like she’d stepped into a burst of starlight. She blinked, startled, and he slid a palm warmly against the small of her back.
“I’m right here,” he murmured.
They began to walk, hand in hand, red carpet beneath their feet as photographers shouted their names. She lifted her chin, a touch hesitant at first, then slowly, beautifully, confident. Fans screamed, craning to see the woman who had somehow captured Hollywood’s golden boy.
Justin’s chest tightened. Hot damn, how he loved her.
Not the woman in the red silk, though she was breathtaking. Not the poised partner walking a carpet like she had been born to it. But the woman who’d welcomed him into her world. And willingly supported him in his.
Suzette. His soulmate.
His leading lady.
I hope you enjoyed Suzette and Justin’s story.