You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 773

Oliver’s chest tightened. It felt like he couldn’t catch his breath. He stared at Patricia, his voice unsteady. “You think I’m suffocating you?”

“Aren’t you?”

“You walked out right after we argued, didn’t say a thing. You left Johns and Marian to talk to me, turned everyone around us into your messengers, all asking me to call you, to apologize, to be the one who gives in. Oliver, can you honestly say you left without a single selfish thought?”

He couldn’t. Patricia knew it, deep down, without a doubt.

Oliver was a master at using people’s opinions to cut others down, even his own wife. She hadn’t seen it at first, but now it was all so clear. His love was intense and possessive. It was obsessive. It was stifling.

Maybe someone more naive would have found happiness in a marriage like this. After all, Oliver was attentive, generous, took care of everything from daily life to their nights together. He gave her emotional support, financial security, and had the looks and success to match.

But she was too aware, too clear about what was happening. That was the problem. If only she could be a little more clueless, maybe she’d be happier.

“I got married, Oliver. I didn't commit a crime.” Patricia tried to pull her arm away, backing up until her elbow hit the shoe cabinet with a loud thump.

“All I ever asked for was a little more attention from you, a little more care for our home. Did I lock you up? Did I trap you? Did I take your freedom away?” His voice echoed in the hall, both their faces flushed with frustration. Neither one willing to give in.

“You love the perks that come with being my wife, but you can’t stand the baggage. I’m a businessman, a capitalist, someone who knows how to play the power game. None of that is pure, and it’s never going to be easy. You’re my wife, and I want to respect you, I want to change, but you won’t even give me a chance. I flew straight back from Switzerland after my meeting just to see you. And the first thing you did was turn away. Patricia, like you said, I’m not a criminal.”