You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 556

By the time Cecilia finally snapped out of her daze, it was already too late. There was nothing she could do to fix things now.

She stared at Raymond, confused and lost for words. How could she ever explain to her husband and son that she’d had another child before this family? When it came to Jackson, she just couldn’t bring herself to say anything.

“Mom, say something!” Raymond was restless, pacing the room. His career was just taking off—just yesterday, his boss had hinted at a transfer to headquarters. And now, out of nowhere, the CEO had personally called to fire him. It didn’t make any sense.

“There’s nothing,” Cecilia answered quickly. Then she tried to sound calm. “Let’s wait until tomorrow and see what’s really happening, okay?”

Raymond couldn’t wait. He grabbed his phone, ready to call his boss, but before he could dial, his phone rang. The message was short and cold—the decision was final, and he should come in tomorrow to pack up his things.

Outside Pacific Capital, Patricia took a moment to pull herself together before opening the car door. In the distance, she spotted Oliver walking out with Sara and Roger.

“Aunt Patricia, you ride with Uncle Oliver! We’ll go with Jackson!” Sara called out.

Sara hopped into the backseat and immediately spotted the red, finger-shaped mark on Jackson’s arm. She leaned in, eyebrows raised.

“Jackson, who did this to you?”

Jackson looked away, saying nothing.

Sara guessed, “Was it Aunt Patricia?”

She gave him a teasing grin. “If someone as sweet as Aunt Patricia actually hit you, you must’ve really messed up.”

“What’d you do, break the law or something? That’s the only way she’d get that mad.”

Jackson shot her a look. “You’ve already guessed everything. Why even ask?”

Sara shrugged. “I’m just curious, okay?”

Jackson glared. “Do yourself a favor, don’t be.”

Patricia could tell from the conversation—they were asking about his marriage.

After he hung up, Mr. Padilla explained who had called, then asked, “You went to the police station today?”

“Yeah. Didn’t see him.”

“So you’re upset because you missed him?”

He’d noticed right away. The moment she got in the car, her mood was written all over her face, no matter how hard she tried to hide it.

Patricia didn’t answer.

Mr. Padilla’s hand tightened around hers, his mood shifting. She tried to pull away, but he just held on tighter.

“My wife’s upset because she didn’t get to see another man. Should I be worried about that?”