You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 358

Patricia had grown up surrounded by peaches. Every summer, baskets of them would overflow on the kitchen table. But no matter how many times Grandma insisted, Patricia never liked them. Peaches made her break out in hives and left her stomach twisted in knots.

Grandma knew all about her allergy, but that never stopped her. She’d shove peaches at Patricia, one after another, year after year, as if sheer repetition would change anything.

Now, thinking back, Patricia couldn’t help but laugh. She glanced at the thermal container on the table, packed full of pickled onions, and a crooked smile tugged at her lips.

Karma’s a funny thing, isn’t it?

“Go on, try some,” Patricia said, sliding a bowl in front of Grandma. “Marian made these a week ago just for you. It's the thought that counts.”

The bowl stopped under Grandma’s nose. Instantly, the old woman’s face drained of color.

“Patricia, are you trying to kill me?” she whispered.

Patricia leaned back on the sofa, legs crossed, wearing a lazy grin. “You’re my grandmother. Why would I ever want to hurt you? Dad’s gone. It’s up to me to take care of you now.”

“You—!”

“Oh, come on. Worst case, you’ll just end up like Mrs. Newton. She survived. No one’s dying here. I’d never let anything really bad happen to you.”

Her words sounded sweet, but the threat underneath was clear as day. Grandma just sat there, frozen, refusing to touch the bowl.

Patricia drummed her fingers against her cheek and gave a little shrug, looking almost bored. “You know, the Newton family’s pretty much finished now. That’s all my doing. Did you know?”

She paused, then added, “I almost forgot—I haven’t visited in a while, have I?”

“Kelly’s in prison. Did you hear? And Mrs. Newton’s about to join her.” Patricia brushed an invisible speck from her nails, her voice casual. “I was planning to finish off the Newtons first. But now…”

She glanced at the bowl in front of Grandma, her eyes cold. “Looks like the Martins are next.”

“Patricia, you’re heartless,” Grandma snapped, voice shaking. “You turn your back on your own family. How will you explain this to your father? You’ll never be half the person he was.”

Patricia’s smile faded, replaced by a flicker of anger. “My dad was too soft. That’s why he got stabbed in the back by his own mother and brother.”

“I don’t have that kind of patience.”

She pulled an envelope from her bag and waved it between her fingers. “I’ll count to five. If you don’t eat, this goes straight to the press tomorrow. Hope you’re ready for that.”

From the bathroom came the sound of retching. Patricia sat back, glancing at the housekeeper as she helped Grandma. Patricia reached into her bag and handed her something small. “Stick this under the sofa, okay? You know what to do.”

“Yes, Miss. Don’t worry. Tina called earlier—she said she hopes Grandma catches a cold.”

What a caring daughter-in-law.

If Grandma ever found out what her “loving” daughter-in-law was wishing for, she’d probably have a stroke on the spot.

“Just follow her instructions,” Patricia said quietly, passing the envelope over. “And give her this.”

The housekeeper watched Patricia leave, then went to deliver the envelope to Grandma.

Grandma had barely finished throwing up when she ripped open the envelope, her hands shaking. Inside was nothing but a blank sheet of paper.

For a second, she was so angry she almost choked.

A furious scream echoed through the house: “Patricia! I should have strangled you when I had the chance!”