Ella
The weeks leading into trial fell into a rhythm of careful preparation, mornings spent with Renata reviewing testimony, afternoons at the Foundation learning the details of a role I was slowly, deliberately, choosing to grow into.
"You'll be called as the primary witness," Renata said, during one of our final prep sessions before the trial date. "Your testimony establishes the foundation everything else builds on. Adrian's defense will try to rattle you, question your memory, suggest trauma has distorted your account. I need you prepared for that."
"I've been preparing for over a year," I said. "I think I can handle a defense attorney."
"I believe you can. I still want you ready for exactly how personal they'll try to make it." Renata's expression softened slightly. "They may brin
