“Chloe, the people responsible for hurting you are the ones who chose to hurt you.”

She wiped her eyes, then pushed the notebook back across the table.

“I want to help the investigators.

I want other people to know that what he says about me isn’t true.”

Patricia nodded.

“We’ll make sure you’re prepared and that your medical needs are respected.

That’s a decision we can work through together.”

For the first time, Chloe sounded less like someone asking permission and more like a woman deciding the direction of her life.