Chapter 258
Even when he was being all intense and bossy, Oliver’s eyes stayed soft on her. “What’s wrong?”
Patricia looped her arms around his neck and gave him her best pout. “I don’t like it here.”
Oliver’s breath hitched. He pulled her close, suddenly so protective it almost hurt. “Alright, let’s go to
the bedroom.”
They were just about to leave when Patricia’s phone, still on the table, started to ring.
Oliver glanced at the screen. His jaw tightened instantly. The irritation he’d just managed to push down after dinner was back in a flash.
He knew that number better than he cared to admit.
Patricia never noticed it, but Oliver had looked into Theo more times than he could count. He hadn’t meant to memorize the number, but with a mind like his, there was no forgetting it.
He picked up her phone and handed it over. “Answer it.”
Patricia didn’t really remember Theo’s full number, but the three nines at the end stood out. And with Oliver’s clipped tone, it was pretty obvious who was calling.
She hesitated. “I don’t want to.”
Oliver’s voice softened, coaxing. “Come on. Just answer.”
She shook her head, voice firmer now. “I really don’t want to.”
Oliver’s gaze locked on her, steady and intense, but his words were gentle. “Pattie, do you really want to drive me crazy? If you don’t pick up, my mind’s going to run wild with a hundred reasons why he’s calling.”
He’d been holding himself back for months, ever since Patricia got back to Riverdale. He tried not to overthink what was between her and Theo. He knew there was nothing there anymore. Patricia would never go out of her way to talk to Theo.
But still, he was jealous–jealous of those wasted three years, jealous of Theo, jealous enough to wish the guy would just disappear.
Patrícia eased herself out of his arms, just enough to give them both a little space. She held his gaze, her eyes tired but calm. “Theo doesn’t matter. He’s not even close to being your competition.”
“There’s no need for you to be so jumpy.”
With Oliver watching, Patricia finally answered the call and put it on speaker, her voice cold and distant. “What do you want?”
“Let’s meet,” Theo’s voice came through.
Patricia scoffed. “And why exactly would I want to see you, Mr. Newton?”
Theo’s tone turned sharp. “Don’t you want to know who messed up your leg?”
The words hit her like a punch, her heart clenching tight.
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Chapter 258
Oliver’s hand, pressed flat on the table, tensed up, veins standing out.
Desire beat out reason.
Patricia’s voice cracked as she answered, and on the other end, Theo went silent. He knew exactly
what that sound meant–everyone here was an adult, after all.
Suddenly Theo snapped. “Patricia? What the hell are you doing?”
He didn’t even get why he was so jealous, but at that moment, he couldn’t control it.
Click.
Oliver took the phone from her, hung up, and tossed it aside.
“So annoying,” he muttered.
In his black BMW, Theo stared at the phone, realizing the call had been cut off. He tried calling again, but only got a dead line–she’d turned her phone off.
Furious, he slammed his foot against the passenger seat. “Slut!”
Then he barked at his assistant, “Did you find out who Patricia married yet or not?”
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