Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 397

Chapter 397 The Burden of Regret

Finished

“The only relative you have left in this world is dying. If you want to see them one last time, come here.”

Attached to the message was the coordinates of a specific harbor.

Tatiana had no idea who sent it, nor could she be certain if it was a cruel joke or a trap. Yet, a nagging thought echoed in her mind: What if? What if it was true? If a life was truly reaching its end, she didn’t want to leave any room for regret.

And so, she came, bringing the two children with her. She kept her movements low–profile, informing almost no one and departing with only a few trusted confidants.

As the night grew deep and silent, she eventually drifted off into a fitful sleep amidst her chaotic thoughts.

But while some slept, others found the night unbearable.

In a dimly lit private lounge, the floor was littered with empty wine bottles. A lone figure leaned against the sofa, motionless, gripping an empty champagne glass.

Norman took in the sight and let out a heavy sigh, prying the bottle from the man’s hand. “Stop drinking. If you miss her that much, go find her.”

Jasper stared up at the ceiling, his vision blurred, and offered no answer.

“You know exactly where she is,” Norman continued. “You could go talk to her. From what I saw, she hasn’t completely cut you out. Why not try again?”

A long silence followed. Just as Norman assumed he had passed out, Jasper spoke, his voice raspy and hollow.

“She is sick.”

“What?”

“It’s serious. Lucas said her illness was triggered by extreme trauma. The amnesia and the constant shocks have caused significant neurological damage. On top of that, those four years she spent in the reformatory left underlying complications that are now surfacing.”

Norman froze.

“It’s my fault.” Jasper covered his face with one hand, his expression a tortured mix of a laugh and a sob. “I am the one who brought all this agony upon her.”

Only now did he realize how deep the scars he inflicted truly went. It was a kind of damage that couldn’t be undone by siniple apologies or restitution. Every ounce of pain he had caused was etched into her very being; it hadn’t vanished, but had accumulated until the dam broke.

Lucas had warned him: she could not handle any more stress.

How could he dare to disrupt her life again? Even if the longing for her was driving him to the brink of insanity.

Jail O

057

Chapter 397 The Burden of Regret

Finished

Norman didn’t know what to say. Seeing Jasper in such pain, he simply signaled for another dozen bottles. “Fine. I’ll drink with you.”

Both men had high tolerances. There was no more talk, only the steady, rhythmic pouring of alcohol. Jasper felt that only through drink could he find her in his dreams.

He had no idea that the woman he yearned for had already quietly slipped away from Steele Island.

Lucas personally saw Tammy back to the hotel. Although he found her exasperating, he refused to let his manners slip.

“Alright, go on in. Get some rest.”

Tammy hesitated at the door. “Do you really not need me to protect you?”

“I don’t. Taking care of yourself is more than enough.”

“Then… if there’s danger, you contact me.”

He snorted derisively. “I’m leaving.”

Tammy watched his retreating back, feeling dejected. She slumped onto the bed, thoroughly out of sorts.

Lucas left the hotel and had just climbed into his car when he felt the cold press of a gun barrel against the back of his neck. He froze instantly.

“Drive,” the voice commanded from behind.

“What do you want?” Lucas kept his voice relatively calm, though his pride was stinging. “The money is in the center console. You can take it all.”

He had just finished lecturing Tammy on how safe this city was, only to be hijacked a moment later. The irony was physically painful.

“I don’t want your pocket change. Just drive, unless you want my hand to slip.”

At those words, Lucas realized this wasn’t a simple robbery. His heart sank. If he had known he was being targeted, he would have brought Tammy along.

“Start the car!”

“Fine, I’m going.”

“Go to the cemetery.”

Lucas had no choice but to head toward the outskirts. As he drove, he watched the man in the rearview mirror. It was a stranger’s face–ordinary, the kind of face that would vanish in a crowd. That was the most terrifying part. The man wasn’t wearing a mask, which meant he didn’t care about being identified. He didn’t plan on leaving any witnesses.

Lucas had only just returned to Bellwood; the news shouldn’t have spread yet. There was only one person who would want him dead this quickly.

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