Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 226

**Even the Night Couldn’t Silence Her Light**
**Chapter 226: Bought Out**

“Mhm.”

Will settled into a chair, his gaze fixed on the sheet music before him. With each note he studied, a sense of disbelief washed over him. “This song…”

“I wrote it,” Tatiana replied, her voice steady and proud.

His demeanor transformed, a mix of astonishment and newfound respect lighting up his features. The casual air he had carried moments before dissipated entirely. “I’m not sure I can do it justice.”

“I have faith in your abilities,” she assured him, her confidence radiating like a beacon.

Her words seemed to ignite a spark in his eyes. Will took a deep breath, channeling his focus as he immersed himself in the melody, the notes wrapping around him like a warm embrace.

The recording session unfolded seamlessly, each take building upon the last. By the fifth attempt, they had captured the essence of what Tatiana envisioned, with only a few minor tweaks needed. More importantly, with every retake, Will’s performance blossomed, revealing layers of emotion he hadn’t tapped into before.

Anna, who had been observing intently, chimed in, “This guy shouldn’t be hidden away in bars. If someone put money into promoting him, he’d definitely make it big.”

After the session wrapped up, Anna turned to Will, her curiosity piqued. “Why haven’t you given any talent shows a shot?”

Will hesitated, then replied with a hint of sarcasm, “I made it past the first round. The next one required fifty thousand, the one after that three hundred thousand, and the finals? Half a million. I don’t have that kind of cash lying around.”

Anna felt a flush of embarrassment wash over her at the harsh realities of the talent show landscape. She chose her next words carefully. “Haven’t any legitimate agents reached out to you?”

Will’s expression turned serious. “Some have, but not the right ones. One took me to a hotel, opened the door, and there was this sixty-year-old woman saying she liked my ‘type’ and wanted to produce my record.”

Anna fell silent, absorbing the unsettling implications of his experience. After a moment, she offered him her business card, her tone earnest. “If you’re interested, you can trust me.”

Will glanced at Tatiana, seeking reassurance. “I trust you. Someone capable of writing a song like this wouldn’t lead me astray.”

Tatiana offered a faint smile, her heart swelling with gratitude. “Thank you for that.”

—

Ann tilted her head, her large, luminous eyes locked onto Will. “You sang really well!” she exclaimed, her voice ringing with youthful enthusiasm.

Will felt a blush creep to his cheeks. “Your sister is incredibly sweet.”

“Ann is my daughter,” Tatiana interjected, her tone matter-of-fact.

Will’s jaw dropped in disbelief. “Your daughter?”

“Yes.”

“Mhm. Don’t we look alike?” Ann chimed in, her innocent face a mirror of Tatiana’s youthful self, though the resemblance might not have been apparent at first glance. Will certainly hadn’t noticed.

“So she’s your daughter…” A flicker of disappointment shadowed his features, a fleeting glimpse of something unspoken.

Tatiana, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, swiftly redirected the conversation. “Let’s do one last recording.”

But Ann, keenly aware of Anna’s scrutiny, lifted her head, her voice flat and devoid of its usual cheer. “Do you not like me?”

“That’s nonsense! I like you the most!” Anna replied, her heart aching at the thought.

Ann set her book aside, rubbing her face and tugging at her cheeks, as if searching for the right expression. Finally, she donned a bright, innocent smile. “Is this okay?”

Anna was taken aback, her heart swelling with a mix of admiration and concern.

Suddenly, a large hand reached out and gently ruffled Ann’s hair. “You don’t have to force yourself. I’m not a stranger. If you don’t want to smile, you don’t have to,” Will said, his voice warm and reassuring.

Ann looked down, her grip tightening around her book. “Is it okay?” she whispered, vulnerability threading through her words.

“It’s okay,” he affirmed softly.

But in an instant, the smile faded from Ann’s face, leaving behind a blank, unhappy expression that tugged at Tatiana’s heart. Since the incident with Hubert leaking the song, Ann had retreated into her own world, blocking out everything and everyone, and Tatiana felt a growing sense of helplessness.

Leaning closer, Anna lowered her voice, her concern palpable. “Ann, is she…”

“Autistic,” Ann replied, her tone flat, as if stating a simple fact.

Anna was taken aback, the gravity of the revelation sinking in. She hadn’t anticipated such a young child to be grappling with autism, and it seemed to be quite severe.

The room fell into a contemplative silence, heavy with unspoken thoughts and emotions, as the night deepened around them.