You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 376

Nina barely held it together, fighting the urge to just walk out and slam the door behind her.

“I need to get some air,” she said, grabbing the first excuse she could think of and slipping out of the private room.

She hadn’t been outside long before Joseph came after her. “So, what did you think of that guy? He’s your age, and his dad’s the richest man in town.”

“He’s top of his class, works in heavy industry—honestly, he’s got a future most people would kill for.”

Nina just leaned against the railing, listening quietly while Joseph talked. She picked at a little green leaf from a planter, rolling it between her fingers. The more he spoke, the colder she felt inside.

Joseph, seriously.

How did I never see this side of you before?

Is this who you really are?

“He sounds amazing. Why don’t you date him yourself?” she shot back.

Joseph frowned. “Don’t be ridiculous. We’re both straight, you know that.”

“Sexuality’s not the problem here. It’s your brain I’m worried about. I just broke things off with my best friend of over ten years, and you’re already pushing someone new at me like you can’t wait to get rid of me. Am I that much trouble to you?”

“Nina, come on. I just don’t want you to end up with someone who’s not as good as our family. What big brother doesn’t want his little sister to have the best life possible?”

The balcony was dimly lit, shadows from the club’s lights making Joseph’s face look even gloomier.

Nina looked up at him, suddenly not sure if the brother who’d always spoiled her was really the same person after all.

—

When the plane doors opened, their private car pulled right up to the tarmac.

Patricia had barely gotten in when her phone buzzed.

She glanced at the screen.

Chelsea noticed and asked, “Who is it?”

“Nina.”

“What does she want?”

“She wants to team up. She wants to go after Joseph.”

Chelsea let out a low whistle. “Guess the new year woke her up.”

Oliver was in another car, probably on purpose to give them space to talk.

Patricia answered the call. “Ms. Miller.”

“Patricia, what do you want me to do?”

The next morning, Nina carried a lunchbox as she headed to the detention center.

Right before she got out of the car, she kept glancing over at the box on the passenger seat. More than once, she almost turned around and left.

Mrs. Newton had never been especially nice to her, but she hadn’t been downright cruel either. There was no real reason to hurt her.

Last night, Nina had asked Patricia over and over if this would actually kill someone.

Patricia’s answer never changed.

No.

Still, Nina hesitated, Patricia’s words echoing in her mind: “Do you really think Theo treats you that way all on his own?”

Inside the visiting room, Nina’s eyes were red as she looked at her grandma through the glass, taking in every detail.

Her voice shook. “Grandma.”

“Nina, why are you here?”

“I just wanted to see you, Grandma. I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through.”

Her grandma’s eyes softened. “Sweet child, it’s the Newton family who owes you.”

Nina wiped her tears away. “Grandma, please don’t say that. I brought you something to eat…”