Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 387

Even in Darkness, She Chose to Rise

Chapter 387 The Dying Rose

Lucas took a deep breath. “To put it simply, you must undergo psychological counseling.”

Finished

What he left unsaid was that she had already begun showing signs of self–destructive tendencies. Sitting in one position for hours, neither eating nor drinking–how was that anything other than a slow persecution of her own body?

“I’m not an expert in psychology. You need proper intervention from a high–level specialist.”

Tatiana kept her gaze fixed on the window. “I’m not leaving Steele Island.”

“In that case, the only way is to-”

He didn’t finish, but she cut him off with a weary voice.

-to go out to sea and kidnap a psychologist? Preferably a world–class one? Someone who should be in a prestigious hospital but is suddenly found wandering the ocean?”

Lucas froze, a flicker of shock crossing his eyes as he looked at her.

She let out a soft, hollow laugh. “You can fool the others, Dr. Lucas, but you can’t fool me. You’re far too skilled, far too brilliant to be stuck in a place like this.”

Lucas adjusted his glasses, his tone remaining even. “I violated protocol. I was fired, my reputation was ruined, and no reputable hospital would take a ‘problematic‘ doctor. This environment suits me; the pay is high, and I’m satisfied.”

She shook her head. “Dr. Lucas, your acting is superb. I almost believed you. But a man like you could be anywhere in the world–anywhere except here.”

She finally turned her head to look him in the eye. “How much is Jasper paying you?”

Lucas opened his mouth to deny it, but seeing the clarity in her gaze, he realized that a thousand words. would be useless. She had known the truth all along.

After a long silence, Lucas sat down and let out a heavy sigh. “When did I slip up?”

“You didn’t,” she replied. “You’re the best actor I’ve ever met. Even your reaction to being ‘kidnapped‘ by Hanson was perfectly authentic.”

“Then why?”

“I don’t know you, but I know Jasper.”

It was a bitter irony. She didn’t trust him, yet she understood him better than anyone.

“Even though he let me go that night after everything I said, it doesn’t change the fundamental obsession in his bones.”

Lucas sighed. “Indeed. Mr. Jackson paid me enough,” he paused, emphasizing the point, “to last me several lifetimes. My only instruction was to stay on this island for three years and ensure your safety. Beyond that, he made no demands.”

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Chapter 387 The Dying Rose

Finished

“Is that so?”

“Yes. There is no surveillance, no imprisonment–none of the things you’re imagining. In fact, since I arrived, I haven’t contacted him once. He has no way of reaching anyone here.”

Tatiana fell silent, seemingly weighing the truth of his words.

Lucas offered a faint, honest smile. “I have no reason to lie to you. Your people searched all my belongings. Mr. Jackson knows that doing anything more would only provoke your hatred.”

“Now that you’ve confessed, aren’t you afraid I’ll throw you into the ocean to feed the sharks?”

He nodded truthfully. “I am. But you won’t.”

Tatiana didn’t disagree. She wasn’t a professional; her medical knowledge was limited to herbalism and basic traditional remedies. When it came to surgery and trauma, she was no match for Lucas. Because of him, many islanders with tumors had undergone successful surgeries and survived. She couldn’t afford to lose a tool that useful.

Seeing that she didn’t deny it, Lucas knew his gamble had paid off.

“Back to the point. Your condition is more serious than I thought. You need intervention.”

“Does it? Then I’ll leave it in your hands, Dr. Lucas.”

He blinked, his brow furrowing. “You’re making things difficult for me.”

“Well, the money isn’t easy to earn. Especially when you’re taking it from both sides.”

He let out a dry laugh but ultimately accepted the task. The money was a burden; he had taken so much from Jasper that if Tatiana died on his watch, he wouldn’t live long enough to spend a cent of it.

Tatiana was surprisingly cooperative, appearing to have a lingering will to live. But as the days bled into weeks, she grew thinner. Her condition showed no signs of improvement. Eventually, even sitting up became an exhausting labor, and she spent her days confined to her bed.

Even Lucas lost his usual composure, his face lined with worry every morning.

“Is there nothing in this world that you still cherish?” he asked one day.

She thought about it for a very long time before slowly nodding.

“There is.”

His eyes lit up, “What is it?”

Her expression softened into something tender and raw.

“Ann and Hubert.”

She had remembered. She had two children–lively, precious, beautiful children. They were so good, so sweet. She missed them with every fiber of her being. She saw them every time she closed her eyes.

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