Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 500

Chapter 500 Confessions in the Moonlight

A heavy silence fell between them. Finally, Tatiana broke it. “You still haven’t answered me. Why didn’t you come back?”

“To hide from you.”

She couldn’t resist a stinging retort. “You’d rather hide abroad and fight in underground arenas just to stay away from me?”

“Yes.” A flicker of helplessness crossed his eyes as he recalled that time. “To the person I was back then, admitting my feelings was far harder to accept than rejecting them.”

Tatiana turned her gaze away, offering no response. Jasper knew she didn’t believe him, but he didn’t blame her; even he found it hard to believe how foolish he had been. It was that stupidity that left him struggling and pleading for her affection today.

He didn’t push the topic further. Instead, he began to tell her about his days at the arena and his history with Annie. He glossed over the gore and violence, cherry–picking the more interesting stories to share.

He told her how Annie hadn’t been the owner back then, but a fellow fighter. He talked about how he had eventually cleared every level of the circuit and moved into the top floor, making a few friends along the way. His storytelling wasn’t particularly eloquent, but it was detailed.

Tatiana listened intently. However, as his raspy voice droned on, her eyelids grew increasingly heavy. Eventually, her head tilted to the side, and she fell asleep against the cushions.

It was a rare sight. After everything she had been through, she was incredibly guarded; she usually found it impossible to sleep with someone else in the room. But now she was out, her breathing deep and rhythmic. She had barely rested while searching for Tammy, and the relaxation brought on by the alcohol finally pulled her into a profound slumber. The dark circles under her eyes were prominent.

Jasper stopped talking. He stood up and scooped her into his arms. She stirred slightly, her brow furrowing for a moment before smoothing out again. She instinctively leaned into his chest like a small, obedient cat.

His heart softened. The tenderness in his gaze was staggering.

“I’m sorry for the pain I caused you. From now on, I will spend every moment making it up to you, atoning ‘bit by bit. I love you deeply.”

His words seemed to reach her even in sleep; a faint, unconscious smile touched her lips as if she were having a beautiful dream.

Tammy had been feeling off for the past two days. She couldn’t quite put her finger on what was wrong, but her instincts were as sharp as a wild animal’s. And right now, those instincts were screaming that something was amiss.

She pondered this for a moment, her eyes drifting toward Bovine, who was busy cooking. Moving soundlessly, she slipped out of bed and crept up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

The spatula nearly slipped from Norman’s hand. “Hmm? What is it?” his voice was full of affection.

“Something’s on your mind.”

“I wasn’t aware I had anything on my mind.”

“You’re definitely brooding. Otherwise, how could you not have noticed me coming up behind you?”

Norman’s expression stiffened for a fraction of a second before returning to normal. “I was just thinking about a new recipe for you.”

“Really?”

He vaguely recalled her being the wife of another fighter. The two had been spending quite a bit of time together lately. Since she didn’t seem to have any ill intentions, he hadn’t interfered.

“Alright. Go ahead. Just be careful. Make sure you…”

“Wear my mask and hat and don’t take them off, right? I’ve got it memorized!”

Having his lines stolen, Norman arched an eyebrow. “As long as you remember. Come back early—no staying out all night.”

“I have a husband now. I won’t stay out all night.”

The word “husband” made Norman’s cars tingle. A jolt of electricity seemed to race through him—a sensation that was both sharp and incredibly sweet. He fought to suppress the grin tugging at his lips as he placed a rib on her plate. “At least you know your place.”

Tammy beamed. After finishing the meal, she insisted on doing the dishes. She then changed her clothes and pulled on her hat and mask, ensuring her face was hidden.

Just as she finished, there was a knock at the door. Norman went to open it. A young, pretty girl stood there, looking a bit awkward. “Ahem… Bovine. Is Flowie in?”

Tammy poked her head out. “Right here! Give me a second!” She grabbed her backpack and headed for the door, waving back at Norman. “I’m off!”