You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 548

But would Amber really lie? Emerson couldn’t shake the memory of that tear-streaked girl, her face crumpled with heartbreak. He pressed his lips together, hiding whatever he was feeling. “Mom, just pretend you never heard any of this.”

“I can’t argue with Tina about anything right now. Not a single thing.”

Grandma stared at him, completely stunned. “But that’s your son we’re talking about!”

Emerson’s frustration boiled over. “That doesn’t mean he can get away with everything. Being my son doesn’t make him untouchable.”

“All you see is the family legacy and heirs. I’m thinking about the bigger picture. I’ll have someone drive you home,” he said.

Grandma pulled her hand away, her voice sharp. “If Tina dares touch the baby Amber’s carrying, she’ll never step foot in the Martin house again.”

Tina had just reached the door when she caught those words. Right behind her, a few finance managers hesitated, exchanging nervous glances. No one knew if they should go in or turn around and run.

Mr. Martin had an affair? There’s a baby? The gossip practically hung in the air.

“Ms. Klotz, I just remembered I left some documents downstairs. Let me take everyone to get them,” the finance manager said quickly. He was close to retirement and could read a room better than most.

Everyone else exhaled in relief and nodded, eager to escape. No one wanted to be anywhere near their boss’s family drama. That was the kind of thing that could ruin your career—or worse.

Most people thought Tina would take the out, let them all leave quietly. After all, who wants to air dirty laundry in front of strangers?

But Tina did the exact opposite.

She pushed open the door and stood there, letting everyone walk right in, face to face with Grandma and Emerson. With that cold, mocking look on her face, it was obvious to everyone that they’d been standing there for a while.

So close, yet so distant—a couple still married in name, but nothing more. By the time you’re middle-aged, only the couples who can weather the storms together make it to the finish line. For Tina and Emerson, that ship had sailed a long time ago.

“Yes. Take it down immediately.”

“Well, we’ll need you to sign a form. Maybe when you come home tonight—”

“You can record this call. I’m authorizing it. Do it now.”

She hung up and turned on Grandma, eyes blazing. “The Martin family front door? If there’s even such a thing, it was built by me and Emerson, side by side, all these years. If you want to lock me out, then that door doesn’t need to exist.”

“You—you’re just—” Grandma’s hand shook as she tried to point at Tina.

Tina, shaking with anger, marched over and knocked Grandma’s hand away, harder than anyone expected. “Do you think I’m as easy to push around as Patricia’s mother?”

“Your son cheats, gets another woman pregnant, and you just let it slide. You excuse his affair, his betrayal, and you still act like sons matter more than daughters. And you call yourself a role model? The government pays you a fat pension every year—is that so you can spread your toxic thinking?”