She walked over to the bed with Shelly lying comatose on it. Sonia watched her warily, but didn't say anything.
"I know Jessica loved her. And despite the pain Shelly is suffering right now, I can still sense her love for Jessica. Look at the pain that love has caused." Gloria's voice barely rose above a whisper, but the rest of the car was silent, too silent, and Eldon heard her, was able to follow her orders to listen.
"You wouldn't hurt me, though." He didn't know where the words came from, since they went against her wishes to listen, but he knew them for the truth. Just saying them out loud made his heart thrum and his toes curl. "You would never do anything to hurt me." He felt her grip on him loosen, but not let go.
"No," she agreed. "Not on purpose. But you have to understand the bigger picture, Eldon. Who might I hurt for you? What wouldn't I do, just to make you smile? Who might I damage or destroy, simply because I want to please you without reservation?"
