You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 539

Tina opened the drawer, slipped out a small knife, and ran the blade along a hidden groove in the back. She pried it open and took out a voice recorder. There was also a card inside, with an address scribbled on it.

She pressed play on the recorder. Emerson’s voice came through, instantly recognizable.

At first, Tina just looked grim. But when she heard Emerson mention he’d stored a blood sample at the hospital, her whole body froze.

A blood sample. If that woman had the baby and did a paternity test, everything Emerson owned could be split with her. He was actually pushing Tina to the edge.

How ruthless. Absolutely ruthless.

Thirty years of marriage, and he still managed to go this far. Even with his own life falling apart, he was still thinking about his mistress and their baby.

With a loud scrape, Tina shoved her chair away from the desk. Furious, she paced the room, hands on her hips. Fine. Just perfect.

She grabbed her phone and typed in the address.

It was a café right across from the office.

At two in the afternoon, Tina walked into the café, her bag swinging from her arm. Years in the business world had shaped her into the very definition of a strong woman—every step radiated confidence and elegance. People couldn’t help but stare as she passed.

In the far corner, she spotted a young woman—beautiful, almost eerily familiar, like someone out of Tina’s past.

She wore a loose white dress, hair cascading down her back like silk. From behind, you’d never guess she was pregnant. Not until you got up close.

Tina’s gaze dropped to her belly, her eyes unreadable.

“You made it, sis,” the girl said, her voice sweet and a little too friendly. “I heard you don’t like milk, so I ordered you an Americano.”

Amber’s tone was soft, but the way she called her “sister” sounded anything but sincere.

Tina’s fingers tightened on her bag until her knuckles turned white. She didn’t like milk—how obvious. Clearly, someone had been talking.

“Illegitimate children have just as much right to inherit. Ms. Klotz, I’m sure you know the law better than I do.”

“You can go ahead and have the baby, if you want,” Tina said, her tone icy. “Let’s get something straight—I didn’t come here because you could threaten me. I came because I was curious. I wanted to see for myself how much you look like her. Stories like this—men chasing after ghosts from their past—are everywhere in our world. Amber, you’re not the first, and this isn’t the first time I’ve dealt with someone like you.”

Not the first time. The words made Amber’s heart skip a beat.

Still, she managed to smile, her words gentle but sharp as glass. “Emerson was right. You’ve gotten more aggressive with age.”

“If you think I’m just a stand-in for someone else, you’re wrong. Emerson’s loved the same woman for thirty years. Your marriage—he just settled. If it was only about my looks, he could’ve dated me, played with my feelings, enjoyed my youth and beauty, and dumped me when I started looking less like her. But that’s not what he wants. Otherwise, why would he want me to have his child?”

“Sis,” Amber said softly, “this baby—Emerson begged me for it. Did you know that?”

“He told me he’s been waiting thirty years for this day.”

Tina’s coffee cup rattled against the table.