Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 188

**Even the Night Couldn’t Silence Her Light**
**Chapter 188: It Was All a Lie**

His fingers tightened around the phone, shaking with a mix of dread and urgency. He flicked through the screens, eyes locking onto a single red dot that pulsed ominously on the map, a stark reminder that she was still at the villa.

*She can’t be in trouble!* The thought ignited a fire in his chest. He had to move—faster than he ever thought possible.

With determination coursing through him, he dashed into the biting wind, his figure a blur against the chaos around him. He didn’t dare to slow down; even his bodyguards struggled to keep pace. He burst through the gridlock of cars, desperation fueling his every step. Spotting a random vehicle, he didn’t hesitate. He flagged it down, yanked the bewildered driver from the seat, and slammed his foot down on the accelerator. A handful of cash flew from his grip as he sped away, leaving the driver in a state of shock and confusion.

The driver, cursing under his breath, glanced back at the money scattered across the pavement. His instinct to call the police was overshadowed by the frantic scramble to gather the bills, driven by the sudden lure of unexpected wealth.

Jasper pressed the gas pedal harder, the engine roaring as he tore back toward the villa, adrenaline surging through his veins.

The tires screeched as he skidded to a halt outside the villa, the sound piercing the stillness of the night.

Without a moment’s pause, he flung himself from the car, hair disheveled and heart racing, and stormed into the villa. “Tatiana!” he shouted, his voice echoing off the walls.

Inside, chaos reigned. The floor was strewn with bodies, all of his bodyguards lay unconscious, their faces contorted in pain. A faint chemical odor clung to the air, heavy and suffocating.

Instinctively, he covered his mouth and nose with his jacket, panic clawing at him as he raced up the stairs, each step feeling like a lead weight dragging him down.

He burst through the door to the bedroom, and his heart skipped a beat. There, under the covers, was a lump that sent a wave of relief crashing over him. He hurried toward it, calling out, “Tatiana, don’t be afraid, I’ll—”

But his voice faltered. In one swift motion, he yanked back the blankets, only to find nothing but a pillow.

And there, lying next to it, was a ring. A micro-tracker.

In that agonizing moment, a chill swept through him, freezing his blood. All the lies he had told himself shattered into a million pieces.

He picked up the ring, his heart clenching painfully in his chest. He had designed it himself—a unique piece, engraved with their initials and a vow that echoed promises of life and death. It was a symbol of their bond, crafted specifically for her.

And the tracker… it was his secret, implanted in her to keep tabs on her whereabouts. No one else knew.

His grip tightened around the ring, a strangled sound escaping his throat—a mixture of a laugh and a sob.

*It… it was all fake.*

Every single moment.

She had been awake, aware all along. The memories flooded back; she had been acting, deceiving him at every turn.

Bianca had been right. She wasn’t trapped; she had been playing him all this time. She had been waiting for her chance to escape him.

The warmth that had once filled his heart was crushed beneath the weight of betrayal, leaving an agonizing void that throbbed painfully within him.

The distant thrum of helicopter blades reached his ears, a sound that sent a jolt of realization through him. He sprinted for the roof, the gas in his lungs forgotten as urgency propelled him forward. He flung open the rooftop door and was met with the sight of a helicopter hovering above, the woman he had cherished climbing inside.

A cold smile graced her lips, and her voice cut through the wind like a blade. “Jasper, weren’t you lying to me as well?”

He was left speechless, the truth of her words crashing over him like a tidal wave. He had been weaving his own web of deceit, trying to convince himself of a fresh start while hiding from the harsh reality of their past.

They were two sides of the same coin, bound by their shared deception.

“Don’t go… please?” For the first time in his life, he found himself begging, desperation clawing at his heart.

His body felt heavier, the gas seeping into his system, dimming his mind. Only sheer stubbornness kept him anchored in reality.

Tatiana laughed, a bleak sound that echoed in the night. “It’s too late,” she murmured, her voice laced with bitterness. “Jasper, I truly hate you. You took everything from me. You ruined me. And then you pretended to care. They say those who betray trust should swallow ten thousand needles. Does your heart… hurt now?”

She spoke with a smile that was anything but kind, like a goddess looking down on a fallen believer.

But Chandler noticed the tremor in her shoulders, the brief flicker of hesitation. He pressed his lips together, urgency creeping into his voice. “Tatiana,” he said softly, “we have to go.”

Time was running out; Jasper’s men would soon awaken.

“Okay.” She finally relented, turning away from him as she boarded the helicopter.

As the helicopter began to ascend, a final surge of strength coursed through Jasper. With every ounce of willpower, he heaved himself up from the ground and sprinted after it, desperation propelling him forward.