Valeria's POV
I sighed and pulled out a chair, sitting down reluctantly. "Fine. But just a little."
Elliot beamed at me and immediately started piling food onto my plate, far more than I could possibly finish. I managed to get down half a piece of toast and some fruit, forcing each bite past the anxiety sitting in my throat. My father and Elliot kept on talking about the science project, which helped distract me somewhat.
By the time we finished, it was time to leave. The driver was already waiting outside. I helped Elliot into his jacket while my father grabbed his briefcase and phone. The three of us headed out to the car together, Elliot chattering away about something he'd seen on a nature documentary while I tried to keep my breathing steady.
The drive to the courthouse was insuff
