Epilogue

I am on the main beach of Santa Cortez with Marcus at my side, the world we have built rising behind us—new, clean, and so integrated into the landscape it’s hard to believe the buildings didn’t rise with the island itself.

Everything is ready. The guest rooms are sparkling, the beds made with crisp sheets. The restaurants are fully stocked. Gift shops overflow with goods. The pools shimmer. No detail has been spared, and every magazine, newspaper, and blog writing about the resort has called it one of Dermont Real Estate Development’s greatest successes.

The guest list is beyond full—we don’t have vacancies for another two years.

The official opening is still more than a month away, but the island is already crammed with administration, maintenance, and service staff. Most of them have settled here permanently, but today a dozen more have come—just for our wedding.

The justice of the peace has already read most of the vows, but I hardly hear a word. I feel l