Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 264

**Chapter 264: The Price of Lies**

In the dimly lit room, a figure awaited her arrival, casting a long shadow across the floor.

Finished.

Jasper stood there, one hand buried deep in his pocket, his gaze directed downward, as though he were grappling with the weight of his own thoughts. The moment he heard the soft rustle of her entrance, he slowly lifted his head, their eyes locking in a moment that stretched on like an eternity.

She quickly averted her gaze, unwilling to let him see the turmoil within her. “When can I see Ann?” she asked, her voice steady, though her heart raced with anxiety.

The knowledge that he had found Ann gnawed at her.

Yet, he hadn’t taken her to meet Ann; instead, he had brought her back to this hotel room. She hadn’t put up any resistance, fully aware that fighting against him would be futile.

“Tomorrow,” he replied, his voice low and measured. “I’ll take you to see her tomorrow. But right now, can we have a conversation?”

With a determined stride, she made her way to the sofa and sat down, her posture deceptively relaxed. However, Jasper could sense the tension radiating from her, which only heightened his wariness.

He extended a towel toward her, his tone almost pleading. “Your hair is still wet; you should dry it…”

But before the towel could even brush against her skin, she swatted his hand away with a fierce intensity. “Don’t come near me.”

The instinctive revulsion she felt was palpable, a reminder of the hatred that still simmered beneath the surface.

Jasper’s throat constricted painfully. He ached for her, his heart longing for her acceptance, yet he stifled the urge and placed the towel gently on the sofa beside her. “Just dry your hair,” he urged, desperation creeping into his voice. “You’ll catch a cold. You wouldn’t want Ann to see you sick, would you?”

That last remark hit home, and she reluctantly retreated into the bathroom.

The sound of the hair dryer roared to life, filling the silence that hung heavy in the air. Jasper’s gaze fell upon the towel she had rejected, a self-deprecating smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

She won’t even use something I’ve touched?

Ten minutes passed in agonizing silence.

Her dark hair still clung to moisture as she returned, her expression resolute. “What do you want to talk about? Let’s get this over with. When we’re done, you’re taking me to Ann.”

If Ann weren’t still under his control, she wouldn’t even bother with this conversation.

“I’m sorry,” he began, his voice heavy with regret. “This entire situation… you and Ann were dragged into it because of my past. The man behind all of this is Avery. Years ago…”

She cut him off sharply. “I don’t want to hear about ‘years ago.’”

His hands, resting on his knees, clenched and unclenched in frustration. “Fine,” he conceded, the weight of his words hanging between them.

“He has a vendetta against me. When he discovered that Ann is my daughter, he took her to force me back into his world.”

The simplicity of his explanation struck her like a slap, so clear it ignited a fierce desire to strike him again, this time with all her might.

“So, because of a mess you left behind all those years ago, Ann—who isn’t even three—was kidnapped and placed in mortal danger?”

He nodded, his face drained of color, his voice barely above a whisper. “I am so sorry.”

Tatiana let out a bitter laugh, the sound laced with anger. “Is ‘sorry’ enough? Does everything have to go your way? As long as it’s under your control, you can do whatever you please? Do you think that just because you brought Ann back and ‘rescued’ me, one little apology wipes the slate clean?”

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