Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 145

**TITLE: Even the Night Couldn’t Silence Her Light**
**Chapter 145: A Deal with Dreame**

Tatiana found herself nodding instinctively, the weight of her circumstances pressing heavily upon her. “I am willing!” she declared, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.

“Very well. I will assist you,” Dreame replied, her tone shifting to a more serious note. “But I must warn you: the process is excruciating, and while advanced medical technology can detect many things, this… this is something that can only be hidden from diagnosis.”

Tatiana nodded again, this time with more determination, but a flicker of doubt crossed her mind. “How can I ever repay you for this kindness?” she asked, her heart swelling with gratitude and uncertainty.

The enormity of Dreame’s offer left her momentarily speechless, grappling with the thought of how to express her thanks.

Dreame’s lips curled into a playful grin. “It’s quite simple, really. I want the child you’re carrying to call me Great-Auntie someday.”

Tatiana couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at the absurdity of the request. Dreame looked barely a decade older than her, yet she was unabashedly claiming the title of Great-Auntie.

“I have no intention of marrying or having children in this lifetime,” Tatiana replied, a hint of sadness lacing her words. “I need someone to care for me as I grow older, someone to see me off when my time comes. It’s your child, after all. What do you think? Is it a fair deal?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Tatiana agreed. The thought of her child being lost was unbearable, and Dreame’s small request paled in comparison to the life she was offering.

“Excellent. Now, let’s work together,” Dreame instructed, her voice firm but encouraging.

Just then, a voice broke through the tension. “Boss! We found her!”

Jasper shot up from his seat, his heart racing. “Where?” he demanded, urgency lacing his words.

A motorcade screeched to a halt at the curb, and without wasting a second, Jasper leaped out of the vehicle. He navigated through the chaotic streets, his pace quickening as he approached a dimly lit alleyway, littered with refuse and shadows.

There, in a grim corner, he spotted Tatiana. She was slumped against the wall, unconscious and vulnerable. The sight of her filthy body, marred by dirt and grime, sent a chill through him. But it was the patch of dried blood on her lower body that made his heart plummet.

In a rush of instinct, he shed his jacket and draped it over her, a protective gesture that felt both urgent and tender.

“Tatiana. Wake up,” he urged softly, desperation creeping into his voice.

Tatiana, however, feigned sleep, her body stiff and unyielding.

At the sound of his voice, she slowly opened her eyes, revealing a mix of fear and confusion.

“No, no! Don’t struggle!” he said, his grip tightening around her as she fought against him.

He held her firmly, almost as if he were trying to fuse their beings together. Despite his aversion to germs, he didn’t care about her state; all that mattered was that she was alive.

Tatiana’s body remained rigid, but a flicker of bewilderment crossed her gaze. This was not the confrontation she had braced for. She had expected his fury, perhaps punishment, or worse—a torrent of excessive actions aimed at her.

Instead, he simply held her, and the warmth of his embrace began to thaw the icy grip of her fear.

“I found you,” he whispered, his voice low and filled with relief.

Tatiana’s heart raced at his words, a mix of emotions swirling within her.

“Finally, I found you,” he repeated, his breath warm against her ear.

The journey to the hospital was fraught with tension. Tatiana’s nerves were frayed, each bump in the road sending ripples of anxiety through her. She feared that her deception would unravel at any moment.

“But I’m well now,” she protested, a hint of defiance in her tone.

“That’s not for you to decide. The doctor will determine that,” he retorted, a flicker of irritation crossing his face.

Tatiana couldn’t help but feel a twinge of self-deprecation. “But the doctor listens to you,” she murmured, recalling the time he had insisted she was unwell, sending her away to a reformatory despite her protests.

Jasper’s lips pressed into a thin line, his hand clenching and unclenching at his side as he fought to maintain control over his emotions. “No, I listen to the doctor,” he said slowly, a hint of sincerity in his voice.

This time, he seemed genuinely committed to keeping his word, showing no inclination to confine her to the hospital longer than necessary.

After two days, her body had made remarkable strides in recovery—far surpassing what she had experienced during her time at Dreame’s place.

On the day of her discharge, only Jasper arrived to collect her.

Dark circles shadowed his eyes, evidence of sleepless nights, and a weariness settled between his brows. He rubbed his forehead, a sigh escaping his lips. “First, we’re going to the wedding,” he announced, his tone leaving little room for debate.

Minnie’s wedding was that very day, a whirlwind of events that felt almost surreal.

The engagement banquet had been just two days prior, and now, the wedding was upon them—an astonishingly rapid transition.

Those attending the wedding understood the implications, offering congratulations with smiles that masked the whispers of speculation. Behind closed doors, many questioned how Minnie had fallen from grace so suddenly.

The venue, a lavish hotel owned by the Jackson family, was adorned with extravagant decorations, creating an atmosphere that was both opulent and imposing.

The Larson family stood at the entrance, welcoming guests with bright smiles, their demeanor betraying none of the underlying tension. Leon, the groom, was impeccably groomed, dressed in a sharp suit, radiating a sense of pride and complacency.