Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 210

**Chapter 210: A Pathetic Thing**

“You… how could you!”

Tatiana’s voice sliced through the air, her gaze as frosty as the winter wind. She looked at Wanda with a disdain that seemed to mock her very existence. “What? Weren’t you the one who initiated this mess? It’s merely a bump. Why the fuss? Your life isn’t exactly a treasure.” She spat back Wanda’s own words, wielding them like a weapon. Ann was her everything; she couldn’t bear to see anyone, especially not Wanda, inflict even the slightest harm upon her.

Wanda trembled, fury coursing through her veins, her head pounding as if a thousand drums were beating inside. The tears streamed down her cheeks, and her voice rose to a shrill scream. “I’ll call the police! You’ll regret this!” The mall manager, taken aback by the ferocity of this young mother, stood frozen, unsure of how to navigate the escalating chaos.

But the situation quickly shifted. The general manager of the mall arrived, his face paling as he recognized Jasper. Fear gripped him. He began to apologize profusely, his words tumbling out in a rush as he swiftly ordered the still-fuming Wanda to be escorted out. The entire mall was a property of Jackson Corp. Jasper was, in essence, their supreme authority. To offend him was to invite disaster. Not only did the manager apologize, but he also sent an array of lavish gifts as compensation, hoping to quell the storm.

Jasper, ever the gentleman, offered these gifts to Tatiana, yet she shook her head firmly. “There’s no need for this. I appreciate the thought, but Ann isn’t feeling well. We really should head home.” The events of the day had drained her spirit, leaving her with no desire to continue shopping.

As she turned away, Jasper felt a pang of heartbreak at her rejection. He understood her reasons, but with their current ‘identities’ hanging in the balance, he couldn’t push her. If she discovered that he knew her true self, she might vanish from his life once more, and he couldn’t bear the thought of losing her again.

“Alright,” he finally replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

Tatiana picked up Ann, cradling her close, ready to leave. But then she paused, glancing back at Jasper, her voice hesitant. “As a father, take good care of your child.” Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions. If Ann hadn’t shown a distaste for Hubert, she wouldn’t have even uttered that much. The turmoil between Hubert and Bianca was none of her concern, but her feelings for Bianca were a different story—pure hatred, a longing for vengeance that burned in her heart.

Yet with Jasper, her emotions were a tangled web of love and hate, intertwined through shared experiences of life and death. She had saved him, and he had returned the favor. This deep connection made it impossible for her to make a clear choice, leaving her with the only option of maintaining distance.

Jasper stood there, rooted to the spot, confusion etched on his brow. What did that statement truly mean?

Later, concern gnawed at Tatiana’s heart as she took Ann for another brain scan, needing reassurance that everything was alright. Only when the results came back clear did she allow herself to exhale, a weight lifting from her shoulders.

In a surprising turn, Ann, usually so quiet and reserved, suddenly spoke up. “Mommy, I’m okay. Don’t be scared. I’ll always, always be with you.” In that moment, she appeared to mature before Tatiana’s eyes, making a promise that felt profound and sincere.

Tatiana’s heart swelled with warmth at her daughter’s words, and she enveloped Ann in a tight embrace. “Yes, Ann must always be with me.” The little girl, with the wisdom of someone much older, reached out her chubby hand and gently patted her mother’s back, as if to comfort her in return.

They didn’t continue their shopping spree; instead, they decided to head home.

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