Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 557

hapter 557 The Silence of a Friend

Navier shook his head. “I’m in no rush.”

“In no rush? I’d love to see who you eventually end up with. You’re so capable, you can handle anything. Not like me. All I can do is run.”

The way learus said it was heavy. He looked miserable.

Xavier put his glass down and lowered his voice. “What happened, Icarus?”

Icarus looked at him but didn’t answer. He changed the subject. “Did you find your sister?”

“I dic. She’s doing well. Better than I thought. She doesn’t need my help.”

Xavier’s face softened when he mentioned Tatiana. Being able to see her again was a stroke of luck he hadn’t dared to hope for. Hearing her voice again was the best he could ask for. He was content. He wasn’t going to hurt her again.

He still didn’t like Jasper, but seeing Tatiana happy made him keep his mouth shut. She had her own life.

They kept talking while the other colleagues went off to find girls and chase a good time. Xavier had things to do the next day and didn’t want to stay long. Before leaving, he tried to dig for information.

As he was about to speak, Icarus’s voice dropped. It was almost lost under the blues music on the jukebox.

“I actually really wanted to keep working with you,” Icarus said. He kept looking toward the door and the bartender like a cornered bird. “But I can’t stay. Some things look clean on the outside, but they’ve been rotten for a long time.”

Xavier frowned. “The association?”

Icarus downed his drink. The alcohol made him cough, but it gave him the nerve to talk over the noise.

“More than that. Way more.”

He got even quieter, sounding frantic. “Listen to me. Don’t ask why. Just get out. Get away from everyone and everything. Do it now. In the next few days, leave!”

He wasn’t looking away anymore. He was staring right at Xavier. He looked desperate.

“Icarus, what’s going on? Tell me.”

I can’t They’re watching.”

Icarus’s lips were shaking. He looked toward a dark corner of the bar. “Remember, don’t trust anyone! Especially…”

A sharp crack cut through the music

It wasn’t a bottle breaking It was shorter and more violent

7L

10:50 am P P P P

Chapte The Silence of a Friend

9

The bartender behind the counter jerked. The smile he had while wiping a glass froze. A red spot opened up on his white shirt and started spreading. The glass fell and smashed on the counter.

Everything went quiet for a second, then a woman screamed. The crowd exploded. People were diving under tables or running blindly.

Xavier was stunned. He tried to duck, but he froze.

Icarus didn’t move.

He was still sitting there, turned toward Xavier, but his eyes were empty. There was a small hole in his forehead. Blood started to leak out and run down his face.

“Icarus!” Xavier shouted, trying to steady him.

Icarus’s body went limp and fell toward Xavier. He was heavy and smelled like blood.

More shots went off from different directions. The screaming and the sound of furniture being knocked over drowned out the gunfire.

Xavier’s mind went blank. He was terrified. He felt the body in his arms getting cold.

He tried to push Icarus off, but a cold hand clamped onto his wrist. It was a final, desperate grip.

Xavier flinched, looking at Icarus one last time. There was still a tiny bit of life left in him.

Icarus’s mouth moved, but no sound came out. He used the last of his strength to shove something cold and hard into Xavier’s palm.

He forced Xavier’s fingers shut over it, making sure he wouldn’t let go. Then his hand went limp and he died.