Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 139

139 Deep Affection and Mutual Devotion

Jasper’s throat tightened at a single sentence, a strange numbness creeping up from his feet and spreading through his entire body. It was as if the words had struck a chord deep within him, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Tatiana, unaware of the effect her words had on him, continued calmly and logically. “Minnie didn’t do it on purpose. She’s still young, and making mistakes is part of growing up. What matters is that she realizes her faults and makes amends.”

All eyes turned toward her.

Minnie sat frozen, her expression blank and shocked. She had never imagined that Tatiana would stand up for her like this.

Bianca looked as though she had seen a ghost. After all, she had been one of Minnie’s main tormentors in the past—so why was she now defending the very person she had bullied?

Tatiana’s voice remained steady. “Right now, the priority should be to handle this carefully and contain the situation before it escalates. Hastily sending Minnie away will only fuel rumors and gossip.”

Her tone was sincere, her face showing genuine concern—not just for the Jackson family’s reputation but also for Minnie herself.

Jasper studied Tatiana intently, trying to read between the lines of her words.

After a long pause, he waved his hand, and the bodyguards immediately released Minnie.

“She will be confined to her room for two weeks.”

Minnie felt a surge of relief. Being locked away in her room was a far better punishment than being sent to the Serene Pavilion—that dreadful place that haunted every Jackson family member’s childhood nightmares.

Still, she couldn’t understand why Tatiana, whom she considered so unpleasant, had spoken up for her.

Barry cut in, his tone sharp and displeased. “This incident was witnessed by too many people. Trying to suppress it won’t be easy. The Jackson family’s reputation has taken a serious hit.”

Minnie lowered her gaze, too afraid to speak.

Jasper scoffed lightly. “Make the necessary arrangements.”

Minnie looked up, confused by his vague command.

He explained slowly, “In a few days, announce your engagement to Leon.”

Only by making their relationship official could this scandal be reframed as nothing more than a couple caught up in a moment, rather than a disgraceful incident.

Barry’s face brightened at the suggestion. “That’s the best idea yet, Jasper. We’ll release the news tomorrow and have them get engaged immediately.”

“No! No! I won’t marry him! I don’t want to!” Minnie cried out, her voice breaking with desperation.

Since her plan had been to harm Cindy, there was no way she would willingly marry a decent man. Leon was a notorious scoundrel—an indulgent gambler and womanizer with countless illegitimate children. His reputation was utterly ruined by his reckless lifestyle.

Marrying him would ruin her life completely.

I won’t marry him! she thought fiercely.

But this time, she had no choice. The decision was final.

Before long, news spread that the Jackson and Larson families were to be united through marriage.

Minnie was to be handed over to Leon.

Everyone was stunned. No one expected these two to become engaged. Minnie had always been arrogant and looked down on everyone, and Leon’s reputation was notoriously disreputable.

Minnie wept bitterly, but no matter how much she resisted, the marriage could not be undone.

Her confinement was temporarily lifted to allow preparations for the event.

Minnie tried every possible way to resist, even causing a scene, which earned her a harsh slap from Barry.

“If you keep causing trouble, get out! Do you really think you’re my biological daughter?” he snapped.

Those words wounded her deeply, like thousands of arrows piercing her heart and tearing at her soul.

Marilyn frowned. “What do you mean? Minnie has called you Dad for twenty years. Are you even human?”

Barry’s voice was filled with bitter disappointment. “She was ruined by you! At such a young age, she’s learned nothing good—only how to hurt others! And she’s foolish, too. She tried to harm someone and ended up ruining herself!”

He was deeply frustrated. If Minnie had succeeded in harming Cindy, perhaps that would have been better—but she was too stupid and ended up in this mess.

Now, everyone outside was laughing at him for raising two daughters—one not even his by blood, the other uncontrollable—and a son he didn’t dare to discipline.

He had been a happy, oblivious father three times over, yet held no real authority.

He had no control in this family. His wife came from a prestigious background and was the old patriarch’s chosen match, so he had to tread carefully.

Everywhere he turned, he faced obstacles.

The warmth and harmony of his childhood home was nothing like this.

There, a gentle, obedient wife, respectful and sensible children, all looked up to him with admiration and hope.

The more Barry thought about it, the deeper his resentment grew. Finally, he threw up his hands in frustration and left. “You and your well-mannered daughter! What a disgrace!”