Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 248

**Even the Night Couldn’t Silence Her Light**
**Chapter 248 He Died**

Tatiana had made the decision to leave Ann in the care of the nanny, a choice that felt heavier than usual as she prepared to meet Chandler. The air was thick with unspoken tension, and she could feel the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her.

As she approached Chandler, a flicker of surprise crossed his face. “Ann didn’t come?” he asked, his brow furrowing with concern.

“She’s not feeling well today,” Tatiana replied, trying to maintain a casual tone, though her heart raced beneath the surface.

“Is she okay? Should I take you both to the hospital?” His voice was laced with genuine worry, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside her.

“It’s fine, just a small cold. Let’s eat first,” she suggested, hoping to keep the conversation light. She had a plan to broach the subject she dreaded after they finished their meal.

Chandler, however, was no fool. An instinctive unease settled in his gut as he watched her, sensing that something was off.

As they sat across from each other, the clinking of cutlery seemed to echo in the silence. Tatiana methodically sliced her steak, each cut deliberate, before she dropped a bombshell that hung heavily in the air: “When I gave birth to Ann, if you hadn’t been there, we might not have survived.”

Chandler’s heart raced, a jolt of panic coursing through him. He forced a smile, though it felt strained and hollow. “No need for thanks. That’s too formal,” he said, trying to deflect the gravity of her words.

“Mm. So where is the other child?” she asked, her tone deceptively calm, but her eyes betrayed a storm of emotions.

The question hit Chandler like a thunderclap, freezing him in place. His fork clattered against the pristine plate, the sound sharp and jarring. His body went rigid, and he could feel his pupils dilate in shock.

Tatiana observed him closely, her heart racing as she recognized the signs. She set down her knife and fork with a deliberate slowness. “I want to know,” she said, her voice steady but laced with an underlying tension, “where did you take him?”

“Tatiana, you…” he began, but the words faltered on his lips.

“Today, I received a follow-up call from St. George Hospital. They told me I was pregnant with twins. The other child, a boy, was taken by you. Can I still trust you?” The question hung in the air, almost cruel in its delivery. In that moment, her world felt like it was shattering. She had always believed that Chandler would stand by her, but now, doubt clawed at her insides.

Chandler’s panic bubbled to the surface as he fought to keep his composure. “Tatiana, listen to me.”

“Mm. Go on,” she replied, her voice a mere whisper, but her gaze was sharp, demanding the truth.

“That child… he died,” he confessed, his voice heavy with sorrow.

Tatiana’s grip on her fork tightened, her knuckles turning white. “Impossible!” she exclaimed, disbelief flooding her senses.

“I’m not lying. The hospital should have told you. The baby was barely breathing when he was born. He was stuck in the birth canal too long… the chances were slim… I was worried you wouldn’t be able to handle it, so…” His voice trailed off, and his expression turned mournful, a reflection of the pain he carried.

Tatiana sat there, stunned, her face drained of color. “Impossible… You’re lying, aren’t you?” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Chandler softened his tone, recognizing the depth of her pain. “Okay. I won’t follow. I know you blame me. Tatiana, I’m sorry.”

Tatiana stood abruptly, her heart racing as she turned to face him. “Send me the address. Don’t follow me.” She spun on her heel, but Chandler’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist in a moment of desperation.

His eyes searched hers, pleading. “Tatiana, please don’t blame me? I only did it for your own good. I was so afraid something would happen to you.”

She yanked her arm free, stepping back as the distance between them felt insurmountable. Her gaze, once filled with trust, now felt distant and cold. “I appreciate everything you’ve done,” she said, her voice icy. “But you hid this from me. I can’t just ignore it. I’m sorry. Let me calm down.”

Chandler could only watch, helpless, as she walked away, frustration boiling over as he slammed his fist onto the table. “Damn it!” he cursed under his breath.

Tatiana wandered through the bustling streets, the bright lights blurring into a haze as she felt like a ghost drifting through life. The realization that she had another child, one she had never even seen, weighed heavily on her heart. As a mother, she had left him alone in a cemetery, never once visiting. A tidal wave of grief crashed over her, suffocating her with an unbearable ache.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice the red light ahead. A car sped toward her, its engine roaring like a beast ready to pounce.

“Watch out!” A pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her back with a force that startled her. The car swerved, narrowly missing them, before screeching to a halt. The driver rolled down the window, ready to unleash a torrent of anger. “Are you fucking blind—” But the words died in his throat when he locked eyes with the man who had saved her. “Be more careful next time!” The driver shouted, his tone shifting as he sped away.

Tatiana blinked, her heart racing as reality crashed back in. She had come so close to disaster. Delayed fear washed over her as she turned to face her savior. “Thank you… It’s you? Yasper?” She hadn’t expected him to be the one to pull her back from the brink.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, concern etched on his face.