You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 685

“Patricia, you can’t just change your mind. You promised me.”

Ruby’s voice rang out, desperate and shaky.

Patricia turned, just enough for Ruby to see the sharp line of her jaw. Her tone was cold. “Ms. Martin, you can’t expect miracles when you never put in the work. Last-minute prayers don’t count for much.”

In the office, Ruby struggled, pushing herself across the floor on her hands. She tried to reach the door to argue, but every move pressed shards of glass deeper into her palms, the pain so sharp it left her breathless.

When Colby stepped in at Patricia’s request, she stopped short at the sight. A girl with amputated legs, crawling on the floor, supporting herself with bruised hands.

It took Colby back to her childhood, to the man who used to sit at the corner near her house. He’d crouch on the ground with a battered tin bowl, asking passersby for spare change. She’d always felt sorry for him, sometimes splitting her breakfast just to give him a little.

Now, looking at Ruby, Colby saw that same helplessness—the same defeat, like life had drained all the fight out of her.

Swallowing her pity, Colby walked over and set Ruby’s prosthetic leg down beside her.

The skin where Ruby’s prosthetic attached was raw and bleeding. She really shouldn’t put it back on, but Colby knew she would. Pride had a way of making people do things they shouldn’t.

“Ms. Martin, why put yourself through this?” Colby asked gently. “The truth always catches up to us. We’re adults. We mess up, we face the consequences. Begging doesn’t change the rules. Even if Mr. Martin forgave you, he’d still be betraying his parents’ memory.”

She helped Ruby onto the sofa, her tone softer now. “Why make it harder on yourself?”

Colby didn’t say anything else. She didn’t leave either. She just stood quietly by the door, giving Ruby a moment to pull herself together.

“If you really understand that, Ms. Martin,” Colby said quietly, “maybe it’s time to stop fighting. Sometimes, accepting the truth is the bravest thing you can do.”

Ruby couldn’t even remember how she got to the hospital. By the time she arrived, she was soaked in sweat, blood seeping from her leg.

Her longtime doctor took one look at her and blanched. “What happened? Should we call the police?”

Ruby shook her head, barely able to speak. “No. Don’t.”

She closed her eyes, sinking into the bed. Memories flashed through her mind. The clearest one was Patricia, holding her hand, taking her to the little shop outside their yard to buy candy. How simple things used to be.