You Looked Down on Me Once, Now You Look Up. novel Chapter 8

She didn’t let herself relax until she stepped into the bathroom.

Marian set the bathwater just right, steadying Patricia as she eased into the tub. “The doctor said you’re only just starting to get better. Don’t push yourself so hard. Take it slow.”

“I know.” Patricia leaned back, her brows drawn tight.

She just couldn’t take another day of this.

For two years now, the label cripple had clung to her like a curse. It was humiliating. The Newtons looked so proper and grateful on the surface, but underneath, not one of them was decent.

Martin Group, which should have been hers, was now in someone else’s hands.

She’d never felt so powerless.

“If anyone comes by, just handle it. Don’t bother me,” she said.

“Okay.”

…

“Where’s Patricia?

“Please have her come downstairs.”

“Ma’am, she just got back from rehab and finally fell asleep,” Marian said, rushing to block Kelly as she tried to march upstairs.

“I said, bring her down.”

“Why not have a seat, ma’am? She’ll be up soon anyway.”

“Marian,” Kelly’s voice was cold, “I’ve only put up with you this long because of the Parsons family. Don’t think I don’t have a temper.”

Kelly had never liked Marian. This housekeeper acted like she had more say in things than Kelly herself.

“I hope you understand, ma’am. I’ve watched Pattie grow up since she was a kid. Of course I care about her, but in the end, I just want what’s best for them.”

Everyone knew how to play nice.

“Patricia, is this how you were raised? You don’t even greet your elders?”

“And barging in here and yelling is what you call manners?” Patricia shot back, and Marian kept pushing her straight toward the living room, not missing a beat.

Inside, the air carried the subtle scent of rare incense.

The fragrance was soft and elegant, never overpowering. Only the best incense could do that.

Kelly, who’d lived in luxury for years, recognized the incense on the table immediately. It was from one of Riverdale’s top studios. The kind that cost thousands, even tens of thousands, and was impossible to get. Here, Patricia burned it just because she could.

“Have Judy stay,” Kelly ordered.

“I don’t need extra help,” Patricia replied, settling by the table and pressing the kettle on.

Marian, always thoughtful, took out the red tea Patricia had been drinking lately.

“You don’t need help? If that’s true, then why does Oliver hardly ever come home?”