Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21 A Fire Extinguished

The sudden commotion shattered the silence.

A girl in a pale yellow dress swept into the room. The moment her eyes landed on Tatiana, shock flashed, followed swiftly by open disdain. “How dare you come to our house? You’re not welcome here! You dirty the place just by standing in it!”

Tatiana recognized her. Minnie, the adopted daughter of the Jackson couple. Same age as her, and back then one of the fiercest against her.

Seeing Minnie, Tatiana knew today wouldn’t end quietly.

Minnie’s words were too sharp. Before the old man could speak, Marilyn snapped, “Minnie! Who taught you such rudeness? Come here at once!”

Startled by her mother’s fury, Minnie pouted, looking aggrieved. Still, she tried to argue, “But Mom, I’m not wrong. She was clearly sent away by Xavier to-”

The old man caught the slip. “Sent where? Minnie, speak clearly.”

Minnie opened her mouth, but her brother’s warning glance silenced her.

Jasper said smoothly, “She was sent abroad for advanced training.”

The old man blinked. “Training?”

“Yes. To improve her violin skills.”

Joy spread across Gordon’s face. “Excellent, excellent! That girl’s violin was already extraordinary. She’s bound to be a master one day!” His tone brimmed with pride.

Tatiana lowered her head, her hands clenched tight. Pain still lingered where her fingernails had once been torn away.

It had been so long since she last touched a violin.

Her shoulder tensed. He pulled her close, voice low and edged with command. “Grandpa’s talking to you.”

She startled, meeting the old man’s concerned gaze. Nodding hurriedly, she mumbled, “Yes, Grandpa. I… I went for training.”

“Good! Then I’ll be waiting for your solo performance!”

Her nose stung. “Yes… I’ll be sure to invite you.”

11:38 Sat, Oct 25

Chapter 21 A Fire Extinguished

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Finished

“You’re so moved you can’t even speak straight, haha. Go on then, don’t you still have business? Let Jasper handle it for you.”

“Okay,”

With Jasper’s arm still around her, they disappeared slowly from sight.

Those who knew the truth wore complicated expressions. Only the old man, blissfully unaware, laughed with the butler. “Jasper and that girl are getting closer by the day. A wedding banquet can’t be far.”

The butler nodded in agreement. “You two really are a match.”

Minnie bit her lip hard, ready to protest, but her mother’s hand gripped her wrist, stopping her.

The old man, still frail, grew tired after the meal and the excitement of seeing his precious grandson and granddaughter–in–law. He went to rest, dismissing the others.

At last Minnie couldn’t hold back. “Mom, why did Tatiana come back with Xavier? After what she did to Bianca, she’s rotten to the core! She doesn’t deserve to be my sister–in–law!”

Marilyn’s eyes narrowed. “Stop spending time with Bianca. And remember, your grandfather’s health is fragile. He can’t be agitated. Swallow this matter and keep it buried.”

Though she despised Tatiana for shamelessly chasing after her son, she held even less respect for a useless, spoiled girl raised by servants.

She simply couldn’t understand why her son’s taste in women only grew worse.

“Mom, Bianca isn’t like you think, she-”

“Enough! You’re not leaving this house for the rest of the week. Stay in and practice. The day you reach half of Tatiana’s skill on the violin, I’ll be satisfied!”

For all her disdain, even Marilyn acknowledged Tatiana’s talent.

Scolded into silence, Minnie lowered her head, her resentment toward Tatiana burning hotter.

That wretched woman. How had she gotten out of the hospital?

No, she had to drive her out again.

Once they stepped out of the hall, Jasper released her shoulder, his expression icy, devoid of

11:38 Sat, Oct 25

Chapter 21 A Fire Extinguished

the tenderness he’d shown moments before.

“Don’t let anything slip in front of Grandpa.”

He meant the divorce.

And the fact that he had sent her to the correctional facility.

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Finished

Her lips stiffened into a mockery of a smile as she asked softly, “Mr. Jackson, do regret it?”

you ever…

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