Chapter 11
Patricia sat stiffly on the couch, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to keep her anger in check. She shot Oliver a glare that could freeze fire.
“So what now? You don’t want to marry me. Do you think you can just pay me off and pretend you never hurt me?“}
She let out a bitter laugh. “Yeah, I never begged you to save me, but let’s not forget–my leg’s hurt because of you. You call me desperate, but the truth is, you’re just a coward, Oliver.“§
He snapped, “Patricia!“}
“Oh, do you even know what responsibility means? What it means to step up?” Patricia’s voice was icy. “You hate me, don’t you? But you can’t even face me yourself. All you do is let your mom take shots at me while you stand by and pretend you don’t notice.”
She leaned forward, voice sharp. “Seriously, have you grown up yet? Or do you still need your mom to fight your battles?“}
Crash! The mug Marian had brought over hit the floor and shattered, the sound slicing through the tension.}
Oliver stood there, face twisted with rage. “Patricia, say that again.”
Patricia pressed her fingertips into the armrest until her knuckles went white. She stared him in the eye and repeated, calm and clear, “Have. You. Grown. Up?”
She’d say it a million times if she had to.
“You…”
They were seconds away from an all–out screaming match when Oliver’s phone rang, slicing through the moment. He glanced at the screen, clearly not interested, and sent the call straight to voicemail. It rang again, just as insistent. With a heavy sigh, he finally answered, voice clipped and cold. “What?“}
Whatever the caller said made Oliver’s brows knit together in confusion. “Which hospital?”
“I’ll be there.“)
He hung up, already heading for the door.
Patricia’s eyes narrowed as she called after him, her voice low and threatening. “You’d better do exactly what your mom wants, Oliver. Come home every night. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee Judy will be safe.”
If he had the nerve to use someone against her, he should be ready for payback.
The door slammed shut behind him.
Oliver marched out to his car, fury still boiling in his chest as he yanked the door open and slid behind the wheel.
Patricia–what a piece of work. She was completely out of control.
He ground out a curse. “Crazy bitch.“}
As soon as he was gone, all the fight seemed to drain out of Patricia. She slumped back, fists clenched so tightly her fingers shook.
Her breathing was ragged, her whole body trembling.}
She hated herself for getting involved. She hated the Newtons for being so cold and selfish.
She was just twenty–two, already juggling two graduate degrees. She’d spent her life working to inherit her parents‘ company. But one reckless act of kindness had wrecked everything.}
The Newtons called it protection.
Some protection.
She scoffed to herself. Was this what they meant by protecting her?
“Miss?” Jackson’s voice broke through her thoughts as he stepped in.”
She took a shaky breath and looked up at him.
Jackson gave a small nod. “Did what you asked. Taught her a lesson. She should be in the ER by now.”
Thanks,” Patricia said quietly
No wonder Oliver ran out after that call. So it was his lover who’d gotten hurt
At the hospital, Oliver burst into the emergency room.
He saw her right away–Nina, lying on the hospital bed, blood trickling down her forehead, staining her white dress a shocking red.)
The moment she spotted Oliver, Nina broke down and threw herself into his arms.
“Oliver, I was so scared,” she sobbed %
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Chapter 11
He steadied her, his voice hard. “What happened? How did you crash?”
“We were just about to turn right when a scooter came out of nowhere. I panicked and swerved–ended up rear–ending a delivery truck.”
The scene kept replaying in Nina’s mind: that scooter showing up at the perfect moment, the truck right where it could do the most damage. The whole thing felt almost… staged.
“Do you think… someone’s out to get me?”
