Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25 Two Worlds Apart

In the car, Bianca leaned close, whining softly. “Jasper, you’ve been so busy lately. I can hardly ever find you.”

“Sorry. The company’s had a lot going on. Once things settle down, I’ll take you overseas. Haven’t you always wanted to go?”

Her smile bloomed instantly, her expression carefully crafted, every muscle on her face arranged to show pure innocence.

She wasn’t beautiful. At least compared to Tatiana, she was as plain as roadside weeds. The only thing she could truly boast was the aura of “purity” she wore like armor.

Before long, the car pulled up to a mountaintop restaurant. The scenery was stunning — look up and the sky glittered with stars, drawing a steady crowd of guests.

Jasper had reserved the best seat with the finest view. A large bouquet of roses and a beautifully wrapped gift box rested on the table.

Bianca gasped with delight. “Jasper, is this for me?”

“Mhm. Open it.”

She hurried to unwrap the box and found a dazzling diamond necklace inside. She recognized it instantly – the latest season’s design, worth over a million.

Her hands trembled with excitement.

“As long as it’s from you, I’ll love it!”

Jasper kept her company at dinner, though absentmindedly. When his gaze dropped lower, he

froze.

Down by the slope, a figure bent over, reaching desperately for a plastic bottle stuck in a branch.

Just as her fingers brushed it, her foot slipped. She tumbled down the hill, the bottles in her basket scattering everywhere.

Jasper shot to his feet, his face taut.

Bianca jumped. “Jasper, what is it?”

Below, Tatiana gasped in pain, her ankle twisting sharply, agony shooting through her leg.

Another man, his skin darkened from the sun, rushed out from behind a tree to catch her.

“You okay? Did you hurt yourself? Hey! I told you not to push yourself. You should’ve let me do it!”

“I–I’m fine. Just slipped.”

She tried to stand but nearly fell again from the stabbing pain.

Quinton caught her quickly, steadying her against his chest. “Don’t force it! Sit down. I’ll pick them up. Why’s a girl like you working this hard?”

He bent to gather the bottles.

Tatiana wasn’t used to kindness. Each time she reached out to help, Quinton stopped her firmly.

This bottle–collecting job was the quickest, simplest work she could find.

To avoid her pursuers, she’d followed the experienced workers up the mountain.

The restaurant was popular. Every night it drew crowds, and couples who picnicked or camped often left bottles behind.

If she was diligent, she could collect over a hundred in one night.

She couldn’t give that up.

But she had no idea that the man she tried hardest to avoid was up above, watching her with dark, unreadable eyes.

Bianca noticed his sudden change – he’d stood abruptly, then sat back down, his mood soured, face stormy.

She followed his gaze and spotted the scene. Laughing, she said, “That couple’s so loving, even picking up bottles together. Holding each other, so sweet.”

Tatiana wore long sleeves, long pants, a hat, and a mask, every inch covered. From a distance, Bianca didn’t recognize her.

She only saw two shabby scavengers, people she secretly looked down on but praised aloud with false sweetness.

Her words only made the air heavier, as if the room had turned to ice.

“Couple?” Jasper’s eyes narrowed.

Bianca blinked, confused, but quickly agreed. “Of course. Look at how close they are, helping each other like that. If they’re not a couple, what else could they be?”

Jasper’s face darkened further.

Through the rest of the meal, he didn’t smile once.

Bianca sat on edge, wondering if she had somehow made a mistake.

Down below, Tatiana counted her bottles, smiling faintly at the haul. She tied the bag tight so none would spill.

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