You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 485

“I’m heading out now. I’ll be there soon.”

“I’ll wait for you in the pharmacy lobby on the first floor.”

Tina hung up and steadied herself against a nearby column, feeling a little unsteady on her feet. Leaning there, she caught her breath, trying to settle the anxious pounding in her chest.

Rumors never really prepare you for reality. She couldn’t believe that at her age, she was living through the drama of a crumbling marriage—like something out of a soap opera.

“Ma’am, are you alright? Should I call a doctor for you?”

Riverdale General Hospital was always full of volunteers. These days, college kids all needed extra credits, and hospitals or government offices were the easiest way to get them. A bright-faced girl in a red vest bent down in front of her, her expression full of concern, and Tina couldn’t help but feel a little pang inside.

It wasn’t the girl’s words that stung. It was her youth—so full of life, so fresh. That kind of youth would always stay frozen in time in Tina’s memory.

She waved the girl away, signaling she was fine.

The volunteer hesitated, looking back at Tina every few steps as she walked away. Even after she returned to the desk, Tina could feel her glancing over, obviously still worried.

Emerson showed up quickly.

It was obvious who he was worried about, and it probably wasn’t her.

He searched the crowd until he finally found Tina. He rushed over, crouching in front of her with worry written all over his face. “What happened? Why’d you come to the hospital?”

“I wasn’t feeling well. Just wanted to get checked out.”

“What did the doctor say?”

“He said I need to rest.” Tina pushed herself up from the chair, her expression steady and calm, a hospital bag of medicine in her hand.

Emerson glanced inside and saw nothing but vitamins and ointment.

He helped her up. “Let’s go home.”

They’d barely taken a few steps down the hallway when, at the far end, a girl in a wheelchair was pushed toward them. As soon as she saw Emerson, a quick spark of joy lit up her face.

But when her eyes landed on Tina at his side, that spark died out—her whole expression changed, like the sun disappearing behind clouds. It was impossible to miss.

Tina thought, There’s something about being young. It’s bright, bold, and impossible to ignore. No wonder Emerson fell for her—especially since she had the same face as someone from their past.

“Yeah.”

Emerson slipped his arm around Tina as they walked past Amber.

As they passed, Tina turned to look at Amber—a look that was all cool confidence, a little bit mocking, and definitely dismissive.

So what if you’re young?

She’d been young once, too.

If the only thing keeping a man around is youth, then he was never really yours in the first place.

You can’t stay young forever, but there’s always someone younger out there.

The girl in the wheelchair looked furious, her face twisted with anger. But it wasn’t Emerson ignoring her that hurt the most.

It was the way Tina looked at her—like she was nothing. Like she didn’t matter at all.