Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 159

**Even the Night Couldn’t Silence Her Light**

**Chapter 159: Played Enough**

Finished.

The car that pulled up was nothing out of the ordinary; it blended into the backdrop of everyday life. However, the license plate caught her attention, sending her heart plummeting into her stomach: A848xx.

It belonged to the Jackson family, a detail she recognized instantly. Their plates were always in sequential order, a signature of their wealth and status.

Panic surged through her veins. It felt as though she were perched on a bed of nails, each one digging deeper into her skin. This wasn’t mere coincidence; it was a trap laid out just for her.

What am I supposed to do? He’s found me. He’s really found me, right here in this very moment! If I get off the bus now, it will raise all sorts of alarms. But if I stay on, it’s only a matter of time before they catch up to me!

A cold sweat trickled down her forehead, and she could feel the color draining from her face, leaving her looking ghostly pale.

The young man seated beside her, noticing her distress, jumped slightly, his eyes wide with concern. “Are you alright? You look awful.”

Tatiana froze, her mind racing. An idea sparked within her, daring her to act.

Without a second thought, she bit down hard on her tongue, the sharp, metallic taste of blood flooding her mouth. She swallowed it down, but the sensation was too much. Gagging, she leaned into him, allowing herself to collapse into his arms.

The young man gasped in shock. “Hey, wake up! Help! Someone’s fainted!”

Panic erupted in the bus, a cacophony of voices rising in alarm.

Tatiana’s strategic display of blood and her sudden fainting spell had effectively sent the passengers into a frenzy. “She needs a hospital, quickly!” one cried out. “What if it’s something serious?” another added. “She’s coughing up blood! This is terrifying! Get her to a hospital! We can’t wait; it’ll be a tragedy if she dies!”

The driver, sensing the urgency of the situation, quickly reported the emergency and diverted the bus straight to the nearest hospital, bypassing all inspections.

Outside, a long line of buses awaited their turn for checks. One bus pulling away barely drew any attention, and those who did notice were easily placated with the excuse of a “medical emergency.”

The bus sped towards the hospital, the atmosphere thick with tension. The kind young man lifted Tatiana onto his back and rushed inside.

As soon as they entered the hospital, Tatiana, feigning unconsciousness, began to stir.

“I’m fine now. You can put me down,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

The young man stared at her, bewildered. “You were spitting up blood! How can you possibly be fine?”

“I’m used to it,” she replied nonchalantly.

His shock was evident, and in that moment, she managed to slide off his back, regaining her composure.

“Thank you for your help. I can take it from here. You can go now,” she insisted, her voice steady.

“But…” he hesitated, glancing back, torn between concern and the reality of his responsibilities.

“My family is on their way. They’ll be here soon. I truly appreciate your kindness,” she reassured him, forcing a smile.

Hesitation lingered in his eyes, but the thought of being late for work finally won out, and he left, casting one last worried glance over his shoulder.

As soon as he was out of sight, Tatiana let out a sigh of relief. Time was slipping through her fingers like sand. She had only forty minutes left until the meeting.

The meeting spot was conveniently close, just a fifteen-minute walk from the hospital.

I can do this. I just need to run. Faster.

She had almost outsmarted them. Unfortunately, her luck had run dry. A bodyguard on patrol had recognized her from behind.

After a tense pause, Jasper’s thin lips parted, and his voice was like ice. “Tatiana. You’ve played enough. It’s time to go home.”

Her desperate, life-or-death escape was nothing more than a game to him, and the game had reached its conclusion.

With tears pooling in her eyes, she took a step back. “No, please don’t! I can’t go back. I have something crucial to do! There’s no time! Please, let me go!”

She retreated, but he advanced, his expression unyielding.

“Be good,” he commanded, his voice low and authoritative.

Frantically, she fumbled for her phone, desperately searching for the video Baron had sent her. It was her last chance, her final plea. “I’m not lying! Really! Grandma’s in danger. She’s been kidnapped! I have to save her! I’m out of time…”

But when she scrolled through her messages, her heart sank. There was nothing.

Every time Baron had reached out, he utilized a program that erased the message immediately after it was viewed. Her phone was empty, devoid of any evidence.

A bone-deep chill enveloped her. Meeting Jasper’s dark, penetrating gaze, she gasped, “I’m not lying! Please believe me…”

But he simply commanded, “Seize her.”

Before she could protest, she was dragged back towards the villa, her struggles futile against their strength.

The villa had been transformed into an unassailable fortress, equipped with 360-degree surveillance, relentless patrols, and double the security personnel. Even the road leading down the mountain was now fortified with numerous checkpoints…

She was trapped.