Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 223

**TITLE: Even the Night Couldn’t Silence Her Light 223**
**CONTENT: Even in Darkness, She Chose to Rise**

**Chapter 223 Just Singing**

Tatiana, feeling a sense of urgency, discreetly slipped a tip to a waiter, requesting information about Will. The waiter, sensing her genuine curiosity, quickly divulged that Will was an orphan, living with his ailing sister. It turned out he had taken a substantial loan from the bar owner to cover her medical expenses, and his performances were his way of working off that debt.

Anna let out a heavy sigh, her heart aching for the young man. “The kid’s had it rough,” she remarked, her voice tinged with sympathy. At just twenty, Will was still so young, and calling him a kid felt entirely appropriate.

“What should we do? He doesn’t seem to believe who we are,” Anna asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

Tatiana shook her head, a warm smile spreading across her lips. “We don’t need him to believe us. We just need him to sing.”

A mere ten minutes later, Will was summoned back to their table, irritation etched across his features. “What do you want now? Can’t you just leave me alone?” he snapped, frustration evident in his tone.

In response, Tatiana slid a stack of cash across the table, her eyes gleaming with determination. Will’s protests caught in his throat as his gaze fixated on the crisp bills, disbelief flickering across his face.

“Here’s ten thousand,” she stated confidently. “I want you to record a song. Once it’s completed, I’ll hand you the other ten thousand. If I’m pleased with the recording, there’s an additional ten waiting for you.”

Will’s interest piqued instantly. “Just singing?” he asked, his skepticism giving way to intrigue.

“Exactly,” Tatiana affirmed, her tone encouraging.

“Okay! Deal! When do we start?” His enthusiasm was palpable, a spark igniting in his eyes.

“This weekend, if that works for you?” Tatiana suggested, her voice steady and inviting.

“Not a problem at all!” Will exclaimed, his previous irritation forgotten. The prospect of being paid simply to sing was all he needed to focus on, oblivious to the identities of the women before him.

They exchanged contact details, and Tatiana insisted he take the deposit.

“Aren’t you worried I might just take the money and disappear?” Will queried, a hint of suspicion lacing his words.

Tatiana shook her head, her confidence unwavering. “You won’t. You’ll want the other twenty thousand too much.” The implication hung in the air—she believed in his talent, and that belief was a powerful motivator.

Will studied her for a moment, his expression shifting as he leaned in closer. In an unexpected move, he kissed her cheek through his mask, his intentions ambiguous. “Do you want the song, or do you want me?”

The suddenness of his advance caught Tatiana off guard, leaving her momentarily speechless. Anna, seated beside her, was equally taken aback, her jaw dropping in disbelief.

Will, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, casually removed her mask, ready to cater to the whims of a wealthy lady. “If you’re looking for something more… intimate,” he began, his voice smooth and practiced, “the price is different. You…”

But his words faltered as he caught sight of her expression. His eyes widened, admiration blooming on his face as he took in her features.

Tatiana chuckled softly, reclaiming her mask. “That’s not what I meant at all. You misunderstood; I purely want you to sing.”

Once he departed, Anna couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up, her eyebrows wiggling playfully. “You’ve really got charm! Did you see the look in his eyes at the end? He’s smitten! I guarantee he’s interested!”

Tatiana sighed, pulling her mask back on, a familiar wave of regret washing over her. For the umpteenth time, she wished she had insisted Dr. Harlow make her look more ordinary.

“Book a studio for the weekend. Not at the company. Is there an outside studio we can use?”

“Yes, I’ll reach out to one. It’ll be easy,” Anna replied, her enthusiasm infectious.

With their plans set in motion, Tatiana lingered a moment longer, ordering a few drinks to savor the evening. After a hectic week, this rare moment of tranquility was a welcome reprieve.

Anna, recently nursing a broken heart, joined her in drowning their sorrows. They drank heavily, the alcohol quickly taking effect. Tatiana, aware of her limits, decided to stop when she felt the world tilting beneath her. Meanwhile, Anna had already succumbed to the effects, slumped over the table, muttering incoherently.

Tatiana rose, gently patting Anna’s shoulder. “I’m heading to the restroom. Don’t wander off. We should be getting back soon.”

“Mmmph!” Anna mumbled, barely acknowledging her.

As Tatiana made her way to the restroom, she felt slightly unsteady on her feet. Clad in simple attire and her mask, she attracted little attention from the men passing by, a small blessing in disguise that shielded her from potential dangers.

However, as she approached the restroom, the effects of the alcohol intensified, causing her to stumble slightly. Her head spun, and her vision blurred, everything around her becoming a hazy double vision. Desperate for clarity, she shook her head, longing to splash cold water on her face and regain her composure.

Turning a corner, she unexpectedly collided with someone, crashing into their chest. The impact jolted her, and her lip met something hard, causing her to wince in pain.