“The fire department is still reviewing the accelerant patterns,” Marisol said.

“They won’t find anything,” Vance said, his voice dropping to a colder, harder register. “But a trial will find plenty of things.”

He leaned forward, looking directly at me.

“If we go to court, Elena, we will have to look at your medical records,” Vance said.

“My client has nothing to hide about my injuries,” Marisol said.

“I’m not talking about the burns,” Vance said. “I’m talking about the psychological history.”

He tapped a manicured finger on the desk.

“The prescription history for anxiety,” Vance said. “The therapy sessions from three years ago.”

My heart hammered against my ribs.

“Those sessions were because of Derek’s emotional abuse,” I said.

“To a judge, they look like a history of emotional instability,” Vance said.

He leaned back, crossing his legs.

“We have statements from Stephanie,” Vance continued. “She is prepared to testify that you were prone to manic episodes.”

“Stephanie is a liar who lives off my salary,” I said.

“She is a witness,” Vance corrected. “And she will testify that you threatened to burn the house down yourself during an argument.”