You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 962

He finally managed to calm his daughter down, but that night, he didn’t even get to step foot in the master bedroom. Mr. Padilla, kicked out and totally lost, looked at Marian for answers. Marian, her voice shaking, finally confessed, “Hope said her mom was drinking poop.”

Oliver just stared, completely speechless. Great. He’d gotten himself caught up in this mess.

Things like this happened all the time. By the time their little one turned two and a half, the three nannies they’d started with had whittled down to just one. Every day, a teacher from Golden Bay came over to work with her. Oliver had even set up a little classroom at home, just for her. Sometimes her lessons were in that room, other times they’d be out in the yard. The workload was light, but there was always something for her to do every day.

Mr. Padilla had a new job now: checking in on her schoolwork. Honestly, both he and Patricia were just relieved that their daughter was so good about her routine. Bath time at eight thirty with the nanny’s help, and she was always tucked in and asleep by nine. Only after that could the two of them finally relax for a bit.

Every year, Hope’s birthday was celebrated in Golden Bay. The whole Padilla family lived there, and since Miles and Lydia couldn’t really travel, Oliver and Patricia always made sure to bring Hope back for the party.

This year, something different happened. Colton came back from the northwest, looking nothing like the boy he used to be. The sun and wind had toughened him up, giving him a healthy tan and a vibe that was all grown up. Hope wouldn’t let go of him, holding onto Colton like he was her favorite toy. Colton seemed determined to make the most of the reunion, chasing her around and teasing her until she giggled and spun around like a little monkey.

“Uncle Oliver, I’m here for payback,” Colton announced, grinning. “Remember how you used to mess with us? It’s our turn now!”

Oliver just peeled his orange, calm as ever, and shot Colton a sideways look. “So, you think you’re all grown up now, huh?”

Colton stood a little taller. “Definitely tougher than before.”

Turned out, she had gastroenteritis from not adjusting to the water and food. The whole family crowded into the pediatric ward, everyone anxious and worried. Hope looked so small and pale, holding onto Oliver’s neck for dear life, her little voice trembling as she cried, “Daddy… I don’t feel good…”

Oliver’s heart ached as he hugged her tighter. “It’s okay, sweetheart. You’ll feel better after your medicine and a good nap.”

But Hope wanted nothing to do with the shot. She slipped her arms away from his neck and hugged them to her chest, shrinking away when the pediatric nurse came in with the syringe. The nurse paused, looking at the scene, feeling totally helpless. Everyone knew the youngest Padilla princess was not someone you wanted to upset.

Before the nurse could say anything, Hope already saw the needle and broke down, crying even harder and burying her face in Oliver’s chest. “Daddy, no…”