You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 404

“Seriously, you couldn’t even handle someone like Theo? Aren’t you embarrassed? You can’t even protect your own daughter, and all you do is eat, drink, and screw around all day. Honestly, you should be grateful Uncle Oliver’s such a good guy. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t waste a cent on a useless cat that can’t even catch mice, just eats my food and drives me crazy. I’d have tossed it out a long time ago.”

The more Jackson talked, the darker Colton’s face got.

“What are you good for besides spending money? All you know how to do is boss people around. With your brains, if you tried working at a real company, you’d be lucky to get paid minimum wage.”

Colton just stood there, stiff and silent, his jaw tight.

Bang.

Marian and Johns had been waiting outside since dawn. Mr. Padilla had called, telling them to get a doctor ready, and both of them were worried sick.

They’d been pacing the yard, waiting for the car to pull up.

The second the car stopped, Colton jumped out, slammed the door, and stormed inside with a face like thunder.

“What’s with Colton?” Marian asked.

Jackson got out and helped Patricia out of the car. “Ignore him. He’s useless, just a spoiled brat.”

Marian didn’t bother with Colton either—she had bigger things to worry about.

“Mr. Padilla said you got hurt. Where are you hurt? The doctor’s been waiting upstairs, come on.”

Inside, Patricia pulled off her jacket.

Marian caught sight of the wound on her back and sucked in a sharp breath.

She was about to say something when Jackson, still leaning in the doorway, shot her a look. “Don’t start. You think Miss Patricia hasn’t had it rough enough?”

Marian clamped her mouth shut and watched as the doctor snipped Patricia’s shirt away.

“Did someone already treat this?”

Patricia nodded. “The police patched it up a little.”

The doctor nodded. “I’ll redo the bandage. Try not to sleep on your back tonight, and don’t shower for now. If you don’t want a scar, start using scar cream once it starts to heal.”

“Thank you.”

“The doctor said you shouldn’t get your wound wet. Let me help you clean up.”

Patricia didn’t fight her. She let Marian help her wipe down, then changed into soft cotton pajamas and crawled into bed.

Before leaving, Marian plugged in Patricia’s phone, left the bedroom door cracked open, and switched on a vintage jade-green lamp in the living room. Just enough light so the house didn’t feel empty.

In the middle of the night, Patricia drifted in and out of sleep, her back itching and aching. She reached to scratch at the wound.

As soon as her fingers brushed her skin, someone gently caught her wrist, and she woke up with a start.

“It’s me.”

Mr. Padilla’s voice was low and close as he clicked on the lamp by the bed, filling the room with a soft glow.

Patricia pushed herself up, her heart still racing. “I thought you said you’d be back tomorrow.”

“I was worried about you, so I came home early.”

“Let me see your wound.”