Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 169

Chapter 169 A Child’s Trust

Tatiana was delighted. She accidentally ate too much and was now curled up on the sofa, whining.

She was exactly like a seven–year–old child, completely unguarded around him, her eyes filled with nothing

but trust.

He pulled her up. “Walk it off. Don’t just sit there.”

“Jasper!”

“I’ll walk with you.”

She immediately stopped whining and scrambled to her feet, following him into the back garden.

She looked left and right, curious about everything. She would stop to smell the flowers, then hop over to look at the weeds, acting exactly like a child.

He stood a few feet away, watching her, trying to find any crack in her facade, any sign of an act.

There was nothing. It was too natural. She really had regressed to seven years old.

The anxiety gripping Jasper’s heart slowly receded. If she stayed this way, he would take care of her for the rest of her life.

“Jasper! Look!”

He looked up and saw her tucking a rose behind her ear. She cupped her hands under her chin, pretending to be a flower herself.

“Am I pretty?”

He couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, very pretty.”

The young woman’s smile was as bright as a flower, and far more delicate. He hadn’t seen her smile like that in a very, very long time.

Night fell.

Tatiana was tired from playing. She took a bath and got ready for bed.

Jasper didn’t stay in her room. After she’d sweetly coaxed him to sit for a while, he waited until she was asleep. He tucked the covers around her and just looked at her for a long, long time.

“Tatiana,” he whispered, “there won’t be a next time.”

He stood and left for the study.

Work had piled up while he was taking care of her. Many documents and contracts were waiting for him.

But what concerned him more was the person who had threatened her. They still couldn’t find a single trace of him. It infuriated him.

He gave a firm order: “Keep digging. Find that person, no matter the cost.

His men tensed, quickening their pace. Anyone could see that this time was different; Tatiana’s importance

to the boss was now undeniable.

He sat on the sofa, rubbing his brow, a trace of agitation in his eyes. He was thinking about what to do next.

Since Tatiana was the one who had saved him, she was the one he had made the promise to. Only, right now, her identity was ‘Cindy, not “Tatiana.”

He wavered for a moment between ‘sister‘ and ‘late wife, but ultimately decided to maintain the ‘sister‘ identity for now. He would wait until she had adjusted before deciding anything else.

As he was thinking, eyes closed, a light knock came at the door.

His eyes snapped open, sharp and alert. “Who is it?”

“Jasper… it’s me.”

He froze, then immediately got up and opened the door.

Tatiana was standing there in a plain white nightgown, hugging her pillow. Her dark hair was loose over her shoulders, and her eyes were wide and uncertain.

“What’s wrong?”

“Jasper… I’m scared.”

She curled her toes, looking embarrassed. “Can I… can I sleep with you?” she added in a tiny voice.

His gaze darkened, and his throat tightened. “Alright. Go to the room and wait for me.”

She let out a huge sigh of relief. “Okay! Hurry up, then!”

She happily ran to the master bedroom, flopped onto the large bed, and rolled around.

She waited in anticipation. She waited and waited, her eyelids growing heavier, until she finally fell asleep, breathing in the faint scent of cedar on his pillow.

When Jasper returned, having taken a cold shower and dried his hair, he walked slowly into the room and saw the small form curled up on his bed.

She was sleeping soundly, her cheeks flushed, as if she’d gotten too warm. Her nightgown had ridden up, revealing her long, slender legs. It was an enticing sight.

Her defenseless posture would have been a challenge for any man.

His gaze darkened again and again. He swallowed, then looked away. This was torture.

He pulled the hem of her nightgown down and covered her with the blanket, hiding everything from view.

She mumbled in her sleep, “Jasper…”

“Mm, I’m here.”

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“Mmh…” She settled down and fell back asleep.

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