Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 200

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

**First Meeting**

“Absolutely, I assure you, she’s still in the building! The security guard stationed at the entrance has been keeping a vigilant eye; no child has dashed out. The security protocols here are exceptionally stringent…” The staff member’s voice faded, lacking the firmness that one would expect in such a critical situation.

But Tatiana was not in the mood to listen. Panic surged within her as she sprang to her feet, her heart racing as she bolted out of the room, her mind consumed by worry.

“Ann!” she called out, her voice echoing in the hallways, filled with both urgency and dread.

“Ann! Where are you?”

“Ann!”

Her mind raced with the thought that Ann, her usually obedient little girl, would never simply vanish like this. A sense of foreboding gripped her heart. Something must have gone wrong!

It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let her out of my sight! What if something terrible has happened to her?

She couldn’t bear to dwell on that thought. A cold sweat began to trickle down her back, and her breath came in short, frantic gasps as she continued to call out for Ann, her voice trembling with fear.

Turning a corner, she nearly collided with a figure. The stranger instinctively reached out to steady her, but when their eyes met, Tatiana recoiled as if stung, choosing to fall backward rather than allow him to touch her.

Jasper stood there, his hand now empty, his lips pressing into a thin line of frustration. He withdrew his hand, clenching it into a fist, the veins on his forearm standing out in stark relief.

“Are you alright? Did you hurt yourself?” Anna rushed over, concern etched on her features as she helped Tatiana to her feet.

Tatiana winced, feeling a sharp twinge in her wrist, but the pain was a mere whisper compared to the panic in her heart. “Ann is missing! We need to find her!” she urged, her voice urgent and breathless.

“What? She’s missing too?” Anna’s eyes widened in shock.

“Hm?” Tatiana turned, confusion knitting her brow.

“Hubert is missing as well! We’re still searching for him!”

Hubert? Tatiana’s mind raced. Wasn’t he the child of Jasper and Bianca?

“Where could two children possibly go? This is driving me insane! We’ve searched everywhere!”

Tatiana’s gaze darted around the vicinity, landing on the small play area that had always been a favorite haunt of the children. “Did you check there?” she asked, her voice laced with a strange intuition.

“We looked everywhere. They’re not there. Let’s check downstairs…” Anna replied, her tone tinged with defeat.

Tatiana felt an inexplicable pull toward that play area. Without saying another word, she dashed over, her heart pounding in her chest as she began to search with meticulous care.

“Didn’t we already check there? There are no kids… Hubert? Wait!” Anna called after her, her voice trailing off in confusion.

Jasper followed closely behind Tatiana, his presence a silent support as they ventured deeper into the play area.

“Ann! Ann! Are you in here? Ann!” Tatiana shouted, her voice tinged with desperation.

Inside the tunnel, Ann suddenly froze, her eyes wide with surprise. “Uh oh!” she exclaimed.

Jasper stood there, his stature towering over the entrance of the tunnel, which barely reached his chest. He looked down, meeting a pair of wet, pleading, slightly fearful puppy-dog eyes that belonged to Hubert.

Silence enveloped the air, thick with tension.

Hubert, though apprehensive, felt a rush of excitement at the sight of his father. The atmosphere crackled with unspoken words.

Ann dashed over, tugging at her mother’s hand as she stepped forward, protective instincts kicking in. She pulled on Jasper’s sleeve, her little voice filled with urgency. “You can’t be mean to him! He’ll cry!”

Tatiana’s heart raced at Ann’s boldness, her stomach twisting in knots at the thought of being recognized. Only she understood the significance of this moment—Ann was Jasper’s child, and this was their first encounter.

Jasper’s gaze softened as he looked down at the masked little girl. Her big, watery eyes mirrored her mother’s, filled with an intensity that made it seem as though she was absorbing every detail of the moment.

“Mister?” Ann’s small voice broke the silence.

Jasper snapped back to reality, his expression unreadable. “I won’t be mean,” he replied flatly, his voice steady. “Hubert, come out.”

Tatiana glanced at him, surprise flickering in her eyes. Hubert? Who would name their child that?

Seeing that his father was not angry, Hubert crawled out from behind the tunnel, his movements hesitant as he approached. “Daddy,” he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Mm.” Jasper’s response was nonchalant, devoid of reprimand, as he regarded his son with a mix of relief and affection.