Page 99 of Under Southern Stars
“And you must be Sophia! We’ve heard so little about you, despite our constant questioning.” She shoots me a pointed look before taking Sophia’s hands in hers. “Helen McKenzie. Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you for having us,” Sophia replies with perfect composure. “Your estate is beautiful.”
“Oh, this is just the main house,” my mother says dismissively. “Wait until you see the rest of the property. The wine cave, the tasting rooms, and—” her eyes light up “—you absolutely must visit our kiwi conservation sanctuary. Jackson started it when he was sixteen.”
Another glance from Sophia, another twist of the knife.
“A kiwi sanctuary?” Madison perks up immediately.
“Yes, dear,” my mother beams. “We have a breeding colony of Tokoeka kiwis—the southern brown kiwi. Quite rare, especially outside their natural range. Jackson found an injured one when he was a boy, on a hiking trip to Milford Sound, and convinced Michael to establish a protected area.”
“That’s amazing!” Madison enthuses, while Sophia’s expression grows more strained.
My father approaches next, shaking Sophia’s hand warmly. “Michael McKenzie. Welcome to New Zealand. Jack tells us you’re quite the medical professional.”
“I’m a charge nurse at Metro General Hospital,” she answers. “Emergency department.”
“Fascinating,” my father replies, and I can tell he genuinely means it. “Much like our Jack here, always drawn to the frontlines. Though we had hoped he’d eventually return to help run the family business.”
I see Charlotte wince. At least one of my sisters recognizes the disaster unfolding.
Madison has gravitated toward Emma, who is already showing her something on her phone—probably rugby highlights, knowing Em. Lily approaches Sophia with her usual gentle manner.
“We’ve prepared the Blue Suite for you,” she says. “It has the best view of the mountains. Jack thought you’d like that.”
Sophia’s gaze flicks to me. “Jack did, did he?”
Lily, always perceptive, must have sensed the tension. “We can show you there now if you’d like to freshen up before the tour.”
“A tour would be wonderful,” Sophia says, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
My mother claps her hands together. “Perfect! Jackson, why don’t you help with the luggage while I start showing Sophia and Madison around? We’ll begin with the main house, then the original vineyard, and finish at the winery complex.”
Before I can object, my mother has swept Sophia and Madison toward the house, my sisters falling in alongside them. My father lingers behind, studying me with a knowing look.
“You didn’t tell her, did you?” he asks quietly.
“I was going to. Today. Before we arrived.” I run a hand through my hair. “I just…couldn’t find the right moment.”
“There is no right moment for this kind of revelation, son.” He shakes his head. “She seems like quite a remarkable woman. Strong.”
“She is.” My voice cracks slightly. “And I may have just lost her.”
My father squeezes my shoulder. “If she’s as remarkable as she seems, perhaps not. But it won’t be easy.” He pauses, looking toward the house where my mother is already gesturing expansively as she guides Sophia through the entrance. “She’ll either walk out tonight or be family forever. No in-between with that one.”
I nod, not trusting my voice.
“You’ll have to fight for her,” he says simply. “But first, you’ve got some groveling to do.”
As we follow the others toward the house, I can see Sophia’s back—straight, tense, her head tilted slightly as she listens to my mother describe the original painting in the entryway. Madison is a few steps ahead, practically bouncing with excitement.
The contrast between them is a perfect visual representation of my dilemma. Madison, delighted by the discovery; Sophia, processing betrayal with every step.
I’d wanted so badly for her to love my home country, my family, the beautiful place where I’d grown up. But I’d failed to understand that by hiding such a fundamental part of my identity, I’d made that impossible. Because how could she love a man she didn’t really know?
The realization hits me with crushing force: in my fear of being judged for my family’s wealth, I’d become something far worse—a man who has systematically deceived the woman he loves.
And now I have to face the consequences.
