I took a slow, deliberate sip of champagne as I formulated my strategy. The air was thick with whispers and laughter, but I focused on the mission: standing tall with grace. Louise had always been the backbone of our family, the steady hand that guided us through turbulent waters. Tonight, it was my turn to be hers.
The microphone was still warm from the last toast when I walked up to the stage. I could feel eyes on me, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. What was the ex-Marine going to do? Would I explode like a firework, or retreat into silence? I was about to show them there was another way.
