You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 750

“Ma’am, your bath is ready.”

Marian stepped out of the bathroom, her eyes meeting Patricia’s in the mirror. Patricia’s tone was mild but cool. “I told you I wouldn’t be home for dinner tonight. Did you let him know?”

“I did,” Marian said quietly, sneaking a glance toward the doorway. “But I don’t know why he got so upset.”

“Did you two argue again?”

“No,” Patricia answered, her voice flat. “Go ahead and get some rest.”

Marian lingered for a second, looking worried. “Alright, I’ll go. But if there’s anything you need to talk about, please just talk it out. Try not to fight.”

“I know.”

After her bath, Patricia came out to find Oliver already in bed. He was wearing black silk pajamas, propped up against the headboard with his phone in hand, reading something that looked work-related. Patricia noticed the phone. Same style as before, but she could tell it was brand new.

She slid under the covers on her side, not saying a word, just grabbing her own phone to answer a few messages. She ignored Ann’s invitation, not really in the mood for anything social.

Around eleven-thirty, she set her phone aside, turned off her bedside lamp, and settled in to sleep.

As her side of the bed faded into darkness, Oliver turned to look at her, just a slim figure curled up under the blanket. He switched off his own light and lay down beside her. His hand settled on her waist, fingers moving slowly upward, the way he always did when he wanted more than just sleep.

Patricia caught his hand and held it still. “I’m tired.”

“You can go ahead and sleep.”

She didn’t let go. “I don’t want to.”

“Are you upset because I came to pick you up today? If that’s it, I’m sorry. You didn’t take a driver, you just went out on your own, so I was worried.”

He frowned. “Why? Weren’t you the one who wanted this wrapped up quickly? I was just following your lead, moving things along the way you said you wanted.”

“Were you really doing it for me, or just for yourself?” Patricia pushed him away and sat up, her voice sharper now. “You always say it’s for my own good, that everything you do is what I want. But let’s be honest, you and I both know that’s not always true.”

“Kicking Jackson out was for my benefit? Handling Tina’s issue behind my back was for my benefit?”

“I’m an adult. I think I can figure out what’s good for me and what isn’t.”

“You knew exactly why I came to see you this afternoon, but you acted clueless, dodged the topic, and made me look like I was making a scene for no reason.”

“When did I ever say you were making a scene?”

“You didn’t have to say it. You’re too proud, too self-righteous to ever use words like that about your own wife. You’d rather let me put that label on myself.”