But having him run to her anyway … that was … huge.
She took his hands. “I can’t tell you how much it means that you came.” Her voice softened. “But I’m okay. I handled it.”
“I know.” Justin’s mouth curved. “I watched it a few minutes ago.”
“You watched— Oh.” She blinked. “Oh dear. Someone filmed it? Posted it? Already?” Her voice pitched upward.
“You’re trending,” he said, pride glowing in his eyes. “My glorious fighter. You were magnificent.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks. “Magnificent?”
His fingers skimmed her cheek, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ve never been prouder of anyone in my life.”
Someone called out, “Are you two going to stand there making cow eyes at each other all afternoon? Kiss the man, Suzette. He just jumped out of a helicopter for you.”
Suzette let out a startled laugh, but Justin didn’t waste a moment. He cupped her face in both hands and kissed her — deeply, tenderly.
The patio erupted in cheers behind them,
When Justin finally pulled back, he said, “I was about to take off. We were taxiing when Anders called. I told the pilot toabort. Fortunately, there was an available helicopter, and” — he grinned — “here I am.”
A laugh broke free from her, half breathless, half overwhelmed. “You didn’t have to come all the way back.”
“Yes, I did.” He pulled her toward a stone bench set amongst the dunes.
They sank onto the seat, the helicopter rotors finally winding down in the distance. Suzette leaned into Justin’s side, fingers lacing with his. The adrenaline had faded, leaving a tender quiet in its wake.
“I still can’t believe you delayed your flight for me.”
He tilted her chin up. “I’ll always put you first, my love. Don’t ever doubt that.”
She exhaled, a long, deep steady breath. “I believe you.” She rested her head against his chest, the thud of his heart steady beneath her ear.
Out there, the world might still be clicking cameras and spinning stories. But here, in the circle of his arms, it was just the two of them.
Everything else was merely noise.
*
The video went viral within hours. Headlines blazed across celebrity sites and social media.
“JK Kenzie’s Girlfriend Stands Up to Bullies — A Fighter With a Past of Courage.”
Clips of Suzette lifting the photograph and calling out Daleen’s lies were shared on repeat. Comment sections exploded with praise, calling her “a class act,” “a real woman,” and “the kind of heroine the world needs.”
Within a day, the hashtag #SuzetteStrong was trending worldwide.
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.”
