You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 756

Marian wanted to step in and say something, but she quickly realized it was pointless. This fight was on a whole different level from any of their arguments before.

By Friday, Riverdale had gone from chilly to downright cold. Rain poured down in thick sheets, pounding the yard and knocking the faded leaves loose until they littered the ground like a messy, yellow-brown rug.

Patricia stood at the doorway, waiting for Jackson. She tipped her head back, letting the cold air sting her cheeks, hoping it would help clear the fog in her mind after a sleepless night.

"Did you pick him up?"

"Yeah, he’s here."

Jackson had shown up with Aiden. First, because everyone already knew about the fight, and second, because it looked better to have someone from Oliver’s side tagging along than to be alone with Patricia. He didn’t want to come, honestly. He’d have preferred to keep his distance, but Marian was right. This was the last thing to deal with. They could all move on after. Life is like that, one thing at a time, one bite at a time. Since Mr. Padilla cared so much, they might as well just get it over with.

"What about Theo?"

"He’s at the InterContinental. We’ll go pick him up."

At nine thirty, the car rolled up in front of the Riverdale InterContinental. The van door slid open and Theo got in from the other side. For once, the two of them managed to keep things calm, even muttered a quick good morning.

Patricia leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. All they could manage was this thin layer of politeness. That was it. Nothing deeper.

The drive to Ruby’s apartment was silent. When they arrived, Patricia stepped out just as another black Buick pulled up nearby. A young boy with blond hair and blue eyes was led out of the car. Patricia looked at him, her heart squeezing for a moment, but she was also a little grateful. He didn’t understand a word of what was about to be said. At least he wouldn’t be hurt by the things she and Ruby might say.

"Yeah," she said quietly. "I do."

The elevator doors slid open. Patricia glanced at Jackson, and he took Theo and Aiden off to the side.

The doorbell rang, and after a few moments, Ruby opened the door. The anger in her eyes was impossible to hide when she saw Patricia standing there. She didn’t even get a word out before a little voice called out in English, "Mommy."

Ruby’s grip on the doorknob tightened, her knuckles turning white. She finally looked down.

"Aren’t you going to let your son in?" Patricia said, her voice almost gentle. "It’s his first time coming to see his mom."