You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 871

Dinner was a whole family affair, and every conversation circled back to Patricia’s baby. It felt like every few minutes someone brought up the pregnancy. Patricia listened from her seat, trying to soak in that new-mom glow, but honestly, the pressure was starting to build. She kept catching people glancing at her belly, and it was as if all eyes were on the baby she hadn’t even met yet.

At first, Patricia tried to join in, laughing along and answering questions, but after a while she just let the others talk. She sat quietly, listening and nodding, but her mind started to drift.

Oliver, who’d been paying close attention to her mood, noticed the way her smile had faded. He smoothly changed the subject, steering the table talk toward work and aiming his next question at Atticus. “So, how are you settling back into Riverdale?” he asked. “If there’s anything I can do to help, or anyone you need to meet, just say the word.”

He knew he couldn’t exactly step into Atticus’s world, but with the Padilla family and Miles backing him, people usually made an effort to be polite.

Atticus just nodded. “Thanks. I’m fine. I can handle things here.”

After dinner, Oliver and Atticus disappeared into the study.

Maggie guided Patricia over to the sofa and sat down beside her. Grandma joined them, and together they turned to Chelsea, ready for another one of their “important life talks,” which almost always meant marriage.

Maggie grabbed an orange from the table and started peeling it, glancing at Chelsea. “Pattie’s about to be a mom. When are you going to think about your own marriage?”

Chelsea just shrugged. “Honestly, I’m not in a rush. Things are crazy at the lab, and I disappear for days at a time. It doesn’t seem fair to start something with anyone right now.”

Maggie raised an eyebrow. “Is that really the truth, or just an excuse?”

“It’s the truth,” Chelsea insisted.

Maggie wasn’t letting it go. “So when is this experiment of yours actually going to wrap up?”

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