Paul's self-satisfied voice dragged me back to the present.
He was standing beside Eleanor, showing off. "See? I told you. My wife can't bear to leave me. All I had to do was call her name a couple of times and she came right back from the brink." He turned to Eleanor with a grin. "You lost the bet. You're cooking dinner tonight."
Eleanor pouted. "Come on, Paul, I'm still hurt, you know."
"Fine, fine, fine. I'll cook. Happy?"
They had actually made a bet over whether I'd survive. A woman who had one foot in the grave, and they'd turned it into a game. Pathetic. Revolting.
The reason I came back was because my parents' killer was still out there. It had nothing to do with Paul.
I pressed my cracked lips together and said nothing.
Paul continued, "Jessica, you hurt Ellie. And since I'm the one who pulled you back from death's door, let's call it even. Tell your friend to drop the lawsuit."
"Besides, Ellie was only looking out for you. She had no idea your health was that fragile. Just let it go."
I beckoned Paul over with a small wave.
He looked puzzled but leaned in anyway.
"Can you help me sit up?"
My soft, quiet voice landed in Paul's ears as agreement.