Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 222

Even in Darkness, She Chose to Rise

Chapter 222 A Glimmer of Hope

Before her identity was revealed, Xavier had been the perfect older brother.

Finished

So, when she saw someone furtively putting something in his drink, she couldn’t just ignore it. “That drink’s tainted. Don’t drink it,” she warned.

Xavier paused, put the glass down, and turned.

Their eyes met. Tatiana wasn’t worried about being recognized. Her warning was the last vestige of their former sibling bond.

She turned to leave.

“Wait!”

Xavier instinctively followed, reaching out to grab her, but she dodged him.

“Sir, please watch yourself.”

“Sorry! I just… you look a bit like someone,” his throat tightened as he added slowly, “A lot like… my sister.”

Tatiana offered a polite smile. “Is that so? Your sister must be very happy to be remembered so fondly by her brother.”

A pained expression, half–smile, half–grimace, crossed his face. “No. She’s not doing well. I failed her.”

Tatiana didn’t want to hear his confession. Before, she might have hoped they’d feel regret, but now, the Lowells and their affairs were like dust in the wind, unable to stir any emotion in her. She had things to do. “Sorry, I have to go,” she said bluntly and walked away.

As her hair swung, Xavier caught sight of a mole behind her ear. His heart leaped. That spot… exactly as he remembered. Tatiana used to complain that fortune–tellers said the mole signified a difficult life, full of hardship. He had comforted her, promising he would always protect her. A promise broken that year. He had pushed away the sister he had cherished and protected, ignoring her until her fate became unknown.

Guilt had gnawed at him for years, leaving him a walking shell. Now, suddenly, the fog seemed to lift. He watched Tatiana walk away, a foolish smile spreading across his face. “You came back, didn’t you…”

Tatiana dismissed the encounter and went to the reserved booth.

Anna was already waiting, waving. “Over here!”

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19:22 Fri, Dec 5

Chapter 222 A Glimmer of Hope

“Sorry, I’m late.”

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“It’s fine, I just got here too. I saw you talking to Mr. Lowell just now. Do you know him?”

She paused, then shook her head. “No. Just warned him someone put something in his drink.”

“Tati, you’re too kind. Though Mr. Lowell’s situation is pretty pathetic.” Anna launched into the gossip. “The Lowells are having a rough time. Their last house was auctioned off, they lost their positions at the company, have nothing left. Henry apparently racked up a lot of debt too. Creditors are probably after him.”

Tatiana was surprised. “How do you know?”

“It’s all over the circles! I know a lot more, too!”

From Anna, Tatiana learned the full story of the Lowell family’s downfall over the past few years, how they had plummeted from their established status. She finally understood Xavier’s desolate appearance–he had gone from being the top candidate for Vice–Director to just a regular physician, even losing his surgical privileges.

She fell silent, unsure how she felt. A touch of regret, perhaps, a sense of emptiness. That had been her home for eighteen years. They had been her family. And now, this.

“Do you

know the Lowells?” Anna asked.

She hesitated, then denied it. “No.” The past was past. She wouldn’t look back.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” A voice interrupted them.

Tatiana looked up. A young man with delicate, handsome features, dressed in a denim jacket, walked over, looking tired. “You were looking for me?”

Anna immediately stood. “Yes, Will, right? Here’s my card.”

The man named Will took the card, glanced at it, then his expression soured. He ripped it up. “Are you kidding me? I’m just a bar singer. You don’t need to pretend to be from Thousand Corp to get close to me. Just leave, I have work.” He turned to walk away.

“Hey, wait! We’re not lying! Hold on!” Anna started to follow, but Tatiana stopped her, shaking her head.

“Let’s wait. Watch.”

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