The courthouse steps felt different this time.

No cameras. No reporters. Just peace.

Consuelo walked beside us, a faint smile twitching at the edge of her lips.

“Enjoy this moment,” she said. “You earned it.”

Adrian nodded. I squeezed her hand.

“I thought it would feel like a victory,” I admitted. “But it just feels… finished.”

“That’s exactly what a true victory feels like,” she replied. “Not triumphant. Just clean.”

We watched Eliora disappear into the back ...