Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17 Washed in Ice

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Finished

She caught her reflection in the mirror. Her body looked like a tattered cloth patched together, a map of bruises and scars too awful to face.

Her eyes burned. She sniffled, fighting the tears back.

Four years ago, that night had been filled with joy.

Now, all that remained was loathing–of herself.

Outside, a convoy of luxury cars rolled into the cramped alleyways of the shantytown. Passersby stopped and stared.

“Are they filming a movie? Why so many fancy cars?”

The cars stopped at the most dilapidated building.

Jasper stepped out, scanning the surroundings, brows drawing tighter.

“You’re sure this is the place?”

“Yes, boss. The Steele family lives on the sixth floor.”

He said nothing.

He had only ever heard about the Steeles from Bianca–Zion and his wife were cruel, often beating and cursing.

But he hadn’t imagined it would be this bad.

Could Tatiana, raised in luxury, endure such squalor?

Then he crushed the thought. This was where she belonged.

Tatiana, pale and trembling, emerged from the bathroom in clean clothes.

When she reached the living room and saw the man on the sofa, her knees nearly gave out.

“Mr. Jackson…”

Jasper sat there, expression shadowed, while Linda stood beside him shaking.

“Tati, Mr. Jackson’s here to see you. Hurry over!”

Her feet were nailed to the floor.

11:37 Sat, Oct 25

Chapter 17 Washed in Ice

When his eyes met hers, she wanted to bolt.

His lips moved, two words striking like a gavel. “Come here.”

She finally moved, inching closer until only three steps separated them.

He reached out suddenly, yanking her down onto the sofa. His pupils were dark as ink, drinking in her panic.

“Did he touch you?”

He knew the answer. He asked anyway.

Tatiana blinked. “What… what do

you mean?”

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In the tug, her oversized shirt slipped, baring a shoulder and collarbone mottled with bruises.

The sight stabbed him. Rage seared through his veins.

“You couldn’t fight back? Couldn’t say no? You’re that desperate for affection? See a man and climb into his bed?”

Question after question rained down. She couldn’t answer any.

Last night’s man had been him. Yet he spoke as though it were someone else.

And her dazed silence only looked like guilt.

His gaze turned glacial, the pressure around him thickening like a storm about to break.

“Tatiana, you forgot we’re still married? You couldn’t wait to climb to another man already, huh.”

She trembled, stammering. “I… I didn’t. I don’t understand what you mean.”

To him, it sounded like lies.

Bob had confessed. Her body bore the marks. Proof, hard as iron. And still she tried to argue.

Like her or hate her, she was still Mrs. Jackson until divorce–she was bound to keep her conduct clean, to protect the Jackson name from shame.

“Tatiana, I gave you too much freedom. You mistook it for permission.”

He rose, dragging her toward the tiny bathroom.

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Chapter 17 Washed in Ice

:

The faucet turned to its coldest setting. He shoved her under the icy spray.

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Water struck her skin like knives. She shivered violently, trying to speak. “Mr. Jackson, I didn’t…. tarnish… the Jackson name. It wasn’t me. Please, please don’t-”

Jasper’s laugh was colder than the water. “Dirty things should be washed clean.”

The fire in his chest scorched away reason.

“If you didn’t want it, why didn’t you fight harder? Hm?”

“I… I tried, but-” she coughed and choked as water filled her nose and eyes.

Her thin arms tried to shield herself. Her clothes clung soaked to her skin, stripping away the last of her warmth.

She was so cold.

He didn’t stop. As if he could scrub away someone else’s traces, as if dousing her would erase his fury.

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