You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 696

A quiet tension filled the bedroom. Patricia stayed leaning against the headboard, meeting Oliver’s gaze without flinching. If anything, she looked at him even more directly.

“So, what are you planning to do about Jackson?” she asked.

Do something about Jackson? Did he even have the guts?

Jackson had known her longer than Oliver had. Before he ever showed up, Jackson and Patricia had already survived so much together—danger, heartbreak, all of it. Who was he to try and remove Jackson from her life?

And Jackson knew it too. He knew Oliver didn’t like him, but also that Oliver couldn’t actually do anything about it. That’s probably why he never held back, calling him out and criticizing him right in front of everyone.

Did Oliver want to do something about Jackson? He couldn’t lie—he did.

Even saints have their dark moments, and he was just a regular guy.

But no matter what he wanted, when his wife looked at him like that and asked him straight out, he could only swallow it all down. “I wouldn’t dare.”

“I know better than anyone what Jackson and Marian mean to you. Maybe, sometimes, they matter more to you than I do.” Mr. Padilla dropped his gaze and let out a quiet sigh. “I hate it, but there’s nothing I can do. I just… showed up in your life too late.”

Patricia pressed her hand into the blanket, steadying her voice. “He was reckless today. I want to apologize for him.”

“I’ll talk to him about it, I promise.”

Apologize for him? That stung. Oliver hated hearing her say that, but what could he do? He was her husband. She was still young. She hadn’t done anything wrong, not really—just cared about a few important people.

He had to force himself to be generous. Or at least pretend to be. Even if the jealousy was eating him alive right now.

Her promise to “talk to him” sounded so much like she was saying Jackson was hers to handle. If her person messed up, she’d deal with it. But what if someone on his side was at fault? What then?

Oliver grabbed a towel and rubbed his hair dry. As he walked past Hector, he tossed over his shoulder, “I’m leaving.”

“Leaving? Where to?”

“The office.”

Hector stared at him, baffled. “Did something get to you? Did Pattie say something? You’re the husband here, the real deal. Why are you letting yourself get all worked up over someone who’s not even family?”

“Honestly, Jackson didn’t do anything wrong. He just did what he thought was right. The guy’s heart is in the right place—he’s loyal, and he’d do anything to protect Patricia. Would you really trust anyone else with her? Would anyone else risk that much for her?”

“If you ask me, you should let it go. We’ve both seen enough betrayal and fake friends. Finding someone who’s truly loyal? That’s like hitting the jackpot.”