Bête noire

Eliane is called upon to shed light on what prompted Pascale to poison her two children. While Madeleine, 7 years old, is between life and death, Henry, 4 years old, could not be saved. Did Pascale act in cold blood or was she in a psychotic state at the time of the tragedy? In order to understand what really happened, Eliane teamed up with her faithful collaborator, Boisvert, as well as with the fearsome defence lawyer, Michelle Simon.

The pieces of the puzzle are falling into place. While Pascale refuses to speak to Éliane, the latter must mandate a colleague to get her opinion on her patient's psychological state. Little Madeleine can finally leave the hospital, but she demands her mother, which Jean-Philippe refuses. Julien revisits his past in search of comfort, and Boisvert sets out to find Pascale's biological mother.

Now medicated against her will, Pascale has withdrawn and refuses to eat; Éliane contacts a former patient to help her break through her shell. As little Henri's funeral approaches, tensions rise within her family. Pascale's biological mother explains the reasons that led her to give her up for adoption. Camille receives surprising confidences from Madeleine. While trying to learn more about Shanny, Boisvert makes a surprising discovery.

Pascale, in crisis, is found in a church. In Éliane's eyes, the theory of religious delusion is no longer in doubt. Boisvert meets Alexia, Jean-Philippe's young mistress, and continues his research to trace Pascale's biological father. Mr. Simon receives Madeleine's testimony and negotiates a sentence with the Crown prosecutor. Éliane and Boisvert question Pascale's neighbors, which leads them to a new lead.

Pascale's trial begins. After a colleague's testimony, Jean-Philippe is called to the stand. His extramarital affair with Alexia, who was 17 when they met, is revealed, causing turmoil in his family. Forced to appear, Julien goes to court; the Crown prosecutor isn't kind to him. After being prepared by her child psychologist, Madeleine delivers a heartbreaking testimony.

It's now Pascale's turn to tell her side of the story at her trial. Éliane's testimony follows, providing an accurate and touching portrait of her patient. Boisvert finds an unorthodox way to get his hands on the DNA of Pascale's presumed biological father. Mr. Simon and Mr. Pépin-Tremblay deliver their final arguments before an attentive jury. As Madeleine eagerly awaits the moment when she can see her mother again, the verdict is delivered.