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.

Sara told herself not to go there.

After all, the second Jackson opened his mouth, his thick New York accent would ruin the whole vibe.

“What?” he grunted.

Sara grinned. “So, when do you think you’ll finally escape all this misery?”

“If you’d just stay away from me, I wouldn’t feel so miserable.”

“Oh? So if I’m not home, you stop digging?”

Jackson stopped shoveling, leaned on the handle, and looked her up and down.

His eyes took in her spotless shoes, followed the line of her tailored pants, paused at her fitted jacket, and finally landed on her carefully made-up face. The sunlight glinted off the gem in her earring, making him squint.

Then he looked down at himself—covered in dirt, sweaty and exhausted.

Before he could catch his breath, Sara squatted down right in front of him, her face close. “Let me guess—you think I look all polished and perfect while you’re a mud monster, right?”

“You can be a gaming pro all you want, but what’s that do for you out here?”

Jackson had to laugh. “Wow, you really know how to get under my skin, huh?”

No one but Miss Patricia had the nerve to tease him like this.

“Sara, come here, I’ve got something to show you,” Jackson said, grinning as he dug into the dirt.

“What?”

He straightened up and tossed something out of the pit.

Sara leaned in, curious—then went white as a sheet and let out an ear-piercing scream.

“Aaah! Snake! There’s a snake! Aunt Patricia, help me!”