Chapter summaries This Could Be Us Kennedy Ryan

Epilogue Soledad: Finding Freedom and Forever in Morocco

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

About a year after the main events, Soledad and Judah are vacationing in Morocco. Their relationship has deepened into an intimate, trusting partnership. While enjoying a leisurely morning, Judah reveals that Edward has left the country with Amber and their baby after violating probation. Soledad initially feels rage, then relief: she is finally free of Edward’s toxicity. Judah admits he chose not to turn Edward in because he wanted Edward gone from Soledad’s life permanently. The chapter concludes with Soledad reflecting on her journey toward self-love, the complicated dynamics of blending their families, and her unshakable commitment to Judah. She has learned to love herself first, making her able to love him completely.

Key Events

  • Soledad wakes in Morocco to Judah performing oral sex.
  • They shower together and discuss Soledad’s work as a content creator for a hotel campaign.
  • Soledad mentions her daughters (Lupe, Inez, Lottie) and their summer jobs at Lola’s bookstore; she worries about how Edward’s betrayal affected them.
  • Judah tells Soledad that Edward has fled the country with Amber and the baby.
  • Soledad cycles through anger and then relief at being rid of Edward.
  • Judah explains he intentionally let Edward escape to protect Soledad and her girls.
  • Soledad reaffirms her love for Judah, reflecting on the stability of their future despite family complexities.
  • She concludes that loving herself first enabled her to love him fully.

Character Development

Soledad has transformed from a woman recovering from betrayal into someone who knows her own worth. She no longer fears being alone; she is content with herself and can therefore love Judah without reservation. Her reaction to Edward’s disappearance—relief rather than rage—shows how far she has come.

Judah Cross demonstrates his protective, self-sacrificing love. He prioritized Soledad’s peace over justice, allowing Edward to stay free. This act underscores his quiet strength and willingness to bear the moral burden for her wellbeing.

Edward is absent but his shadow looms; his flight confirms he has not reformed, but Soledad’s indifference to his fate marks her emotional emancipation.

Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

  • Self-love as prerequisite for healthy love: Soledad paraphrases the lesson from her mother’s diaries—you can risk loving completely when you love yourself first.
  • Freedom from the past: Edward’s disappearance becomes a symbol of Soledad shedding the weight of her marriage. The Moroccan setting—open air, sun, sea—mirrors her newfound liberation.
  • Trust and vulnerability: The “bare act” of lovemaking without barriers represents the restored trust between Soledad and Judah, contrasting with Edward’s betrayal.
  • Family complexity: Both Judah and Soledad acknowledge their children may need long-term support; their commitment adapts to these realities.

Why This Chapter Matters

This epilogue provides emotional closure for Soledad’s arc. It shows that healing is not about revenge or forgetting, but about reclaiming one’s self-worth and building a future on one’s own terms. It also resolves Edward’s storyline without a courtroom showdown, emphasizing that Soledad’s happiness no longer depends on his punishment. The chapter underlines the core message of the book: that after devastating betrayal, it is possible to love again—and to love better—by first loving yourself.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Soledad feel relief when she learns Edward has fled the country?
Soledad has spent years dealing with Edward’s lies, financial crimes, and infidelity. His departure means she will never have to see him again, sparing her and her daughters further trauma. Relief comes because she can finally close that chapter without additional conflict.

2. How does Judah’s decision not to turn Edward over to the authorities reflect his character?
Judah prioritizes Soledad’s long-term peace over legal justice. He understands that prosecuting Edward would keep him in their lives through court proceedings and could traumatize the girls further. By letting Edward run, Judah removes the source of pain, even at the cost of letting a criminal escape.

3. What does Soledad mean when she says she had to “find herself first” before she could love Judah?
After Edward’s betrayal, Soledad embarked on a journey of self-discovery (the #datingmyselfchallenge). She learned to value herself outside of relationships. Only after building a solid sense of self-worth could she trust again and offer Judah a healthy, wholehearted love without fear of losing herself.

Navigation