You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 656

Jackson pointed with a quick flick of his hand.

Behind him, a white guy appeared, holding the hand of a little boy who looked about seven or eight.

These days, Southeast Asia was basically a playground for some Western countries—cheap, good value, and you could live large for not much money. Middle-class families loved it here, chasing after a taste of luxury on a budget.

“See? I’m waiting for him.”

“Do you even know who that is?”

“Ruby’s son.”

“He’s almost eight now.”

Theo froze.

Almost eight? That meant Ruby got pregnant eight or nine years ago. Back then, he and Ruby were together, but they’d never even crossed that line. That last step between them had never happened.

How was this possible?

Jackson watched Theo’s expression shift all over the place. He took a slow drag from his cigarette. “What’s the matter, Mr. Newton? Feeling a little blindsided?”

“Aren’t you curious about who really tried to kill you all those years ago?”

Theo let out a dry laugh. “What—Patricia wants to lure me back and finish the job?”

Jackson shook his head. “Trust me, Miss Patricia’s got better things to do than play cat and mouse with you. Don’t flatter yourself.” He flicked his cigarette to the ground, glanced at the people getting into the car, and tossed out a casual “I’m out,” before walking away.

But that comment stuck with Theo, a thorn in his side he couldn’t pull out.

He’d seen Jackson in mid-September.

By the end of the month, those words still echoed in his mind.

After so long away from Riverdale, he suddenly found himself caring way too much about the people he’d left behind.

———

Dirt landed with a dull thud on the roots of a gardenia tree.

Patricia stood off to the side, arms crossed, watching Jackson shovel earth over the plant’s exposed roots.

“Cover it up more.”

Jackson glanced at the poor tree—roots sticking out, looking half-dead. “Why not just buy a new one?”

“We could, but we’d still have to dig and plant it, right?”

“If I remember right, isn’t there a real gardener at Cloud Peak? I’m just the bodyguard, you know…” Jackson muttered, sounding defeated.

He’d only come back a few days late.

He’d only stopped by to see Cecilia on his way in.

Now Patricia had him working like a dog for days on end. Digging holes, shoveling dirt, running errands—if there was work to be done, she’d find it for him.

And there was no way he could say no.

Yesterday, he’d lost his cool and yelled at Patricia, and Mr. Padilla had shot him a look that felt like a death sentence.

“What’s your problem? I pay you, and you won’t even help out a little? Your mom never raised you, never took your money, but the minute you have any, you run to spend it on her. So who’s the real loser here—you or me?”

The whole thing was a joke, honestly.

If Jackson hadn’t gone to see Cecilia, Patricia would never have found out about Oliver’s little revenge stunt.

She’d actually thought Cecilia left on her own.

That night, Patricia grilled Oliver for details. Once he realized Jackson was the reason for all the drama, he had Jackson dragged over and given a solid beating.

Now Jackson was stuck in the middle, getting it from all sides, and couldn’t even complain.

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