Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 168

Chapter 168 A Different Home

She even made a face, imitating his fierce, furrowed brow.

Tatiana giggled and went back to eating her candy.

Her younger self hadn’t been worn down by life; she was mischievous and bright. He had almost forgotten she’d ever had this innocent, lively side, so different from the lifeless person she had become.

After a thorough checkup, the doctor said she could be discharged.

Jasper handled the discharge procedures, preparing to take her home and help her recuperate. She was too thin now, malnourished, and… pregnant.

He glanced at her stomach, his expression heavy. A shadow crossed his eyes but was quickly suppressed. Since she was awake, he would accept this child that was not his. He would consider it a debt, a compensation. From now on, he would be responsible for it.

“Jasper!”

“Hm?”

“Where are Mom and Dad?” She pouted, clearly unhappy. “Why… why aren’t they here to pick me up?”

He reached out and casually adjusted the cartoon–themed hat on her head. “They’re very busy, so they asked me to take care of you.”

She was successfully coaxed, her eyes curving into a smile. “Jasper’s the best!”

The color drained from his face, and he pressed his lips together. No, he wasn’t. He wasn’t good at all. He had hurt her, made her suffer so much. If she ever remembered, she would want to kill him.

“Let’s go. We’re going home.”

Tatiana skipped happily down the hall, but she had forgotten about her leg. She misstepped and nearly tumbled down the stairs, making him break out in a cold sweat.

“Careful!”

Tatiana leaned into his arms, her eyes filling with tears. “Jasper, what’s wrong… with my foot? It’s… it’s not listening to me!”

His jaw clenched, and he ground his teeth, swallowing his guilt. He forced out a lie: “Your foot is injured. Don’t run around.”

She burst into tears. “Am I… am I lame now?”

In her current state, she cried at the drop of a hat. Her tears soaked his collar, making his heart ache with panic. “You’re not! I’ll find someone to fix your foot!”

“Really?”

1/3

“Really. I promise.”

“Then… then Jasper can’t despise me!”

“I won’t.”

He looked down at her, his eyes filled with an unconscious tenderness that was threatening to overflow, “I won’t despise you.”

Nothing like that will ever happen again.

Jasper brought Tatiana home.

To avoid triggering any bad memories, he didn’t take her back to the hillside villa, but to the mansion. The maids had already prepared a guest room–a pink, princess–themed one.

When Tatiana saw the pink princess room, her eyes lit up. “Jasper, am I… staying here?”

“Mhm. Do you like it?”

Her eyes sparkled as she nodded vigorously. “Yes! I love it!” She even ran over and rolled around on the bed to show how much she liked it.

Jasper watched her childish antics, a faint smile touching his lips.

“Jasper, am I going to… Hiss! Ouch!”

She clapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes instantly turning red. She had clearly bitten her tongue.

His expression changed. He rushed over and saw her covering her mouth. He gently cupped her chin and coaxed, “Did you bite it? Let me see.”

She shook her head, embarrassed. It was both painful and humiliating.

“Let me see. Be good.”

She hesitated, then cautiously opened her mouth. “Ah-”

He looked closely and froze. The new bite wasn’t serious, just a small red mark. What caught his attention was the small, missing piece at the tip.

He couldn’t imagine what had caused it.

His reports on her time in the rehab center were just a few lines on paper. He had no way of knowing the details.

Before, he hadn’t wanted to know. Now, he was afraid to.

Seeing him lost in thought, she squirmed, mumbling, “Jasper, it hurts! My… my jaw is sore!”

He snapped back to reality and let go of her chin. “It’s just a small bite. Try to speak a little slower next time.

Don’t rush.”

She looked at him pitifully. “My tongue… hurts! A little… piece is missing!”

As she spoke, she stuck her tongue out, the pink tip flicking past her lips.

His gaze darkened, and his voice grew a little hoarse. “You injured it when you fell. Be more careful next

time.”

She pouted. “I’m so stupid!”

“No, you’re not stupid.”

Just too naive. Pitifully naive all these years. Anyone else would never have loved a person like him.

“Are you hungry?”

“Hungry!”

“Let’s go downstairs and get something to eat.”

The chef had already prepared a delicious meal, mostly light dishes. The two sat down to eat together.

Tatiana studied the dishes, then placed a piece in his bowl.

He glanced down at it, then back up at her.

“Jasper, eat! You… like this one!”

It was a piece of fish. She had always known his tastes best.

He couldn’t quite describe the feeling, only that a warm current was slowly spreading through him.

He lowered his gaze and ate the food from his bowl. A notorious germaphobe, he didn’t even mind that she had used her own fork.

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