As the trio disappeared down the path, a soft clap sounded.
Then another.
And suddenly the patio filled with applause — guests rising to their feet, staff emerging, their faces lit with pride and relief. The sound washed over Suzette, warm and unexpected.
Clarice Harmon stepped forward, elegant as ever, sunglasses perched atop her red hair. She reached out, lightly touching Suzette’s arm. “Dearie,” the woman said, her voice carrying across the patio, “it takes an extraordinarily strong woman to stand up to bullies.”
Suzette’s throat tightened. She managed a soft, grateful smile.
Clarice nodded once, firmly. “You stood tall. And you reminded all of us what dignity looks like.” The applause swelled again, rolling through the patio like a wave of triumph. “Now, I insist you come and sit with me, and let’s enjoy a couple of those delightful strawberry G&T’s young Kobus is so great at making.”
Suzette was midway through her second G&T, fully entertained by Clarice’s recounting of her three marriages — and what utter disasters her husbands had been — when a distantthump-thump-thumptugged at her attention.
A helicopter.
Her heart sank.
Not another hungry news channel. Word of the earlier confrontation had clearly spread, and no doubt someone wanted her “exclusive side of the story.”
Her suspicion sharpened when Anders strode onto the beach, two additional bodyguards joining him. She watched, trusting them to wave the aircraft away.
Except … they didn’t.
To her astonishment, they cleared a wide circle in the sand and braced themselves against the rotor wash, shielding their faces as the helicopter descended.
Suzette blinked, narrowing her eyes. Someone was standing on the skids.
The aircraft hovered barely a meter above the ground and—
Justin jumped onto the beach.
Her jaw slackened. How? He was supposed to be in the air. Starting up the coast of Africa by now. Not …here.
Jogging toward her.
“This day keeps getting better and better,” Clarice cackled.
“Justin?” Suzette whispered, scrambling to her feet.
She met him at the edge of the sand, winded by shock.
His eyes raked over her, frantic and searching. “Are you okay? I heard— God, Suze, I came as fast as I could.”
“What are you doing here?” Her voice rose in disbelief. “You’re supposed to be on your flight. What about your meetings tomorrow?”
“Anders said she was here.” His breath was tight, urgent. “Meetings can wait. I had to come. Make sure you’re okay.”
And something inside her chest shifted.
Justin put her first. He chose her over his schedule, his career, his convenience. He came because he thought she needed him.
Except … she didn’t.
She didn’t need rescuing.
She stood up for herself today.
Proved to herself she could.
