He shot a look at Jasmine. "I'm going to report her for assault."
The air left my lungs.
The people closest to you always knew exactly where to twist the knife.
The hospital room went deathly still. Nothing but the rhythmic hiss of the ventilator filled the silence.
When the anger drained from Paul's face, realization crept in. He looked down at himself, porridge still dripping from his hair, and took two halting steps toward me. Guilt flickered across his features. "Jessica... I—"
Eleanor cut him off. "Paul, the back of my head really hurts. Can you check if the wound opened up again?"
The guilt vanished from his face in an instant, replaced by panic. "Come on, let me take a look."
They left.
Jasmine slammed the door behind them. "Disgusting."
Then her expression softened as she turned to me, eyes full of concern. "Jess, don't take any of that to heart. Your mom and dad were the bravest, most incredible people in the world."
I nodded. "Thank you, Jasmine."
Our families went way back. I'd known her since we were kids.
Her father and mine had both been cops, and when she grew up, she followed in their footsteps.