Chapter 10
Marian pushed open the door, sounding totally unfazed. “When your job is waiting on people, you get used to watching their moods. Comes with the territory.”
Evening settled in, the sky growing darker, but there was still no sign of Oliver coming home.
Patricia sat in her wheelchair, eyes fixed on the garden outside. She signaled for Judy to come in.
When Judy walked in, Patricia was by the window, holding a cup of hot tea, just watching the clouds drift by.
M
“Judy, Mrs. Newton said that once you showed up, Oliver would too. But look–it’s almost dark, and he’s still not back…“}
Judy’s heart skipped. Was Patricia really expecting her to call Oliver home?}
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll call Mr. Newton right away.“}
Remembering Patricia’s warning from earlier, Judy knew if she couldn’t get Oliver back tonight, she’d be out on her ear.”
Flustered, she pulled out her phone and dialed his number.
As soon as the call connected, she started talking, bowing her head out of habit–even though there was no way Oliver could see her through the phone.
After vanishing for a whole week, Oliver reappeared, like he’d been summoned from the dead–all because of Judy’s call.
He spotted Patricia curled up on the couch, a blanket over her legs, reading a book. He hovered at the doorway, just staring.
elite ha
Back in Patricia’s teens, the Riverdale elite had crowned her the most beautiful girl in town. Even now, stuck in a wheelchair, you couldn’t miss how graceful and striking she was.
That face alone could stop traffic.
“My mom sent Judy over?” he asked.
Patricia’s gaze drifted from the trees outside to Oliver in the doorway. She gave a soft, noncommittal “Mm.”
“If she’s useful, keep her. If not, send her back.”
“I wouldn’t dare,” Patricia said, flipping a page, her voice lazy and cool. “The first time Judy came, I told her I didn’t need any help. She ran straight to your mom, and the next thing I knew, your mother was down here with half the staff, warning me not to step out of line.”
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Oliver’s brow tightened at her words.
“Your mom even said the only reason you don’t come home is because Judy isn’t here.”
Patricia gave him a look–calm bbnut edged with mockery. “Mr. Newton, you really do have… unusual taste.”
Other people stay away from home because of a nagging wife. Oliver, apparently, won’t come back unless there’s an older woman fussing over him.”
“Drop the sarcasm,” Oliver muttered, his mood darkening.
Patricia closed her book and set it on the side table. “So, telling the truth is sarcasm now?”
“Have you ever thought that maybe it’s your extreme personality that keeps me away?”
Extreme personality?
She let out a short, helpless snort.”
Her eyes flicked over his face, and she thought, I really am too soft. Should’ve hit him harder when I had the chance.
Should’ve just finished this jerk off for good.”
“Anyone who gets constantly mocked, warned, and threatened like I have would end up with an ‘extreme personality. Or do you seriously not know what your mom’s been up to these past two years? She’s done everything she can to force me out so I won’t ‘drag you down.‘ You really have no clue?!
Oliver finally came in and sat on the sofa across from her. By now, they were both used to these back–and–forths.
“You ever heard ‘heavy is the head that wears the crown‘? When we got married, I told you straight up–this wouldn’t have a happy ending. Or did you forget?”′′E
He hadn’t even shown up on their wedding day
He thought skipping out would give her a chance to back out, but to his surprise, she’d still shown up at the courthouse the next day
“You want this marriage yourself, Patricia. So don’t blame anyone else when people talk down to you.”
Chapter 11
