The Opening

Mr. Dawson ran me through our strategy for the final time. I was supposed to focus solely on the night Kenneth attacked me. Certainly, I was ready to tell the judge and the jury about everything that had happened during my five-year marriage, but Mr. Dawson insisted I didn't say a word about it.

“If you mentioned anything about your life together, his lawyer is going to say that it's irrelevant to the case. That is why we will wait for the other side to make an opening for us,” Dawson explained. “I'm convinced that they're going to try to prove that you provoked the attack yourself. Their lawyer will say that you were vengeful, vicious, and hell-bent on destroying the Welch family.”

Anger buzzed in my veins. “That would be a low move,” I said.

“Of course,” Dawson agreed, “but they will hold on to whatever is able to sway the jury's emotions.”

I ground my teeth. “I will not let that happen.”

Dawson patted me on the shoulder. “Let's hope that everything goes smoothly.”

Twenty minutes la