You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 859

Word of Nick Brooks’ riding accident spread through town faster than anyone could keep up. Overnight, the Padilla family became the center of attention, trapped in a web of rumors woven by gossip writers who seemed to take a twisted pleasure in watching them squirm, never quite letting them off the hook but never finishing them off, either.

Golden Bay had always been divided. Power was split between two main factions, each side out for their own gain. Jaxon had just managed to secure the top spot, which made the Padilla family even more of a target. With Nick out of commission, their rivals could finally breathe a little easier, almost like they’d been given a gift at just the right moment.

That morning, after breakfast, Jaxon stood outside in the cold, staring at the pale winter grass. He held a cigarette between his fingers, letting the smoke drift up and blend with the mist. Oliver came out, coffee in hand, and stood beside him in silence for a moment.

Jaxon exhaled slowly. “Feels like it’s been ages since it was this quiet around here.”

Oliver grinned. “That’s because you actually know how to handle people.”

Jaxon looked over at him. “You ever wonder if people are born good or bad? Same parents, but you and our other brother seem to follow all the rules, and somehow I turned out different.”

“It was all timing. When I was born, Mom and Dad were both climbing the career ladder. Three kids to look after, but all they could do was work as hard as they could. I basically grew up on my own.”

Oliver’s childhood had been a blur of handoffs—his grandfather and the nanny during the day, his brothers after school. He barely remembered a time when his parents were really there.

Jaxon shot him a sidelong glance. “Mom was saying last night she still feels guilty about it.”

Oliver laughed. “Honestly, I think I lucked out.”

When he was younger, Oliver used to envy Jimmy for having their parents around, for getting the full dose of parental love. But as he got older, he realized that love came with a price—expectations and pressure that weighed you down until you couldn’t even breathe.

He shook his head. “It’s just not worth it. No one should have to live like that.”

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