Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 578

Chapter 578 A Quiet Absence

“Really? I am that annoying?”

He asked softly, his thumb tracing the back of her hand.

Tatiana tried to pull away, but he held on tight. She glared at him, her eyes bright and watery. She did not look like the powerful boss running a business empire anymore. She looked like a stubborn girl throwing a

tantrum.

All her walls crumbled under his gentle, knowing gaze.

What am I doing? She wondered. She had already decided to be with him, so why be so difficult now?

She took a deep breath and let her shoulders drop, giving up her act. Her voice was low, laced with a tiny bit of vulnerability. “You are irritating. Can you not just come back early?”

Before she could regret saying it, she stood on her tiptoes and pressed a quick, firm kiss against his lips. It was light and fast, but the heat of it lingered.

She pulled back instantly, her cheeks turning red in the moonlight. She turned her back to him again and looked out at the desert, trying to sound calm even though her voice shook.

“Just finish your business and get back here. There are a lot of things waiting for you.”

Jasper stood frozen. He could still feel the warmth of her lips. It was rare for her to be the one to initiate anything. It was her way of admitting she did not want him to go.

He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her head.

“Okay,” he said, his voice deep and full of affection. “I will be back as soon as I can. I promise.”

Jasper left on the earliest flight the next morning.

At first, Tatiana thought it would be fine. She figured she would get used to it quickly. But she underestimated him. He had integrated himself so deeply into her life that his absence left her feeling hollow and restless.

Ann and Hubert felt it too. They had grown dependent on their dad playing the role of the capable stay at home father. They even asked her why she did not just go back with him.

Tatiana kept a straight face. “Do I not have to work? Do you not have to go to school? You are wanted this, so no skipping classes.”

In her mind, she added that she would not be skipping work either.

the ones who

The kids went to school, and luckily, Jasper called at set times every day. He was tireless, reminding them of

to handle. every little thing. Those calls became a comfort to her, making the distance

During one call, she joked, “Are you not supposed to be busy back home? How do you have time to call five or six times a day?”

On the screen, Jasper was leaning back on the leather sofa in his office. He looked tired, but his eyes lit up

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09:48 Tue, May 12 N M ·

Chapter 578 A Quiet Absence

when he saw her. “I am busy. But you are more important.”

“You have become quite the sweet talker since you went back.”

Jasper laughed, looking relaxed. From the background of the video, she could see he was alone in his office. Tatiana scanned the room discreetly through the camera before looking back at him.

Jasper pretended not to notice her checking up on him. “Are you doing okay?”

“I am fine. You left everything in good shape.”

It was the truth. Mine Number 9 was running smoothly because they had handled everything together, step by step. She could have done it alone, but it would not have been this perfect. He had cleaned up every mess before he left. She appreciated that.

Jasper lowered his voice. “Can I ask for a reward when I get back?”

“A reward? What kind of reward? You do not need money…”

She stopped mid sentence when she saw the look on his face. She understood exactly what he meant.

She arched an eyebrow. “That depends on when you get back. If I am in a good mood, maybe.”

Jasper sighed. “You are cruel.”

A knock came from his door. “My appointment is here. I will call you later,” he said.

“Fine.”

After hanging up, Tatiana did not notice the smile on her face. She checked the calendar. Her birthday was only a few days away. If he could make it back by then, she was willing to take the next step in their relationship.

But she never expected that Jasper would actually fail to return on time.

At first, the calls just became shorter. Eventually, he was only calling once a day.