The fifteen-minute recess felt like an eternity.
Aria and Damien stayed in the courtroom, unwilling to leave even for a few minutes. They sat in the front row, hands clasped, watching as the defense table remained mostly silent. Victoria stared down at her hands, occasionally wiping tears. Hastings flipped through notes with the desperate energy of a man who knew he was fighting a losing battle.
"What do you think they'll do?" Aria whispered.
"Try to make her seem human," Damien said quietly. "Make the jury feel sorry for her. It's all they have left."
At exactly ten AM, Judge Barrett returned. Everyone rose, then sat.
"Mr. Hastings," the judge said, "you may call your first witness."
Hastings stood slowly, smoothing his suit jacket. "Your Honor, the defense calls Margaret Kennedy to
