[ELARA'S POV]
We celebrated at Marguerite's.
Not a party. Just family. Marguerite. Julian the brother. Marcus and Rebecca. The people who'd helped us fight.
Marguerite made coq au vin. Actual French cooking. Not the takeout we'd been living on for weeks.
"To victory." Julian raised his glass. "And to never having to deal with Sofia's bullshit again."
"For at least three years." I corrected. "She can refile."
"She won't last three years sober." Damian was certain. "History says eighteen months maximum."
"You're very cynical about addiction." Rebecca said. She would know. Worked in healthcare. Saw addiction daily.
"I'm realistic about Sofia specifically. She's proven she can't maintain sobriety long-term."
"Maybe this time is different. Maybe losing access to her grandchildren is the motivation she needs."
"Or maybe she's exactly who she's always been. An addict who makes promises she can't keep."
