Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5 Selling Herself for Sixty–Eight Hundred

The moment his gaze shifted toward her, Tatiana regretted it.

She shouldn’t have asked him.

But the words were already out. She had to finish.

After all, once she went back, she might not survive.

Even if she died, she didn’t want to owe anyone.

“Tatiana. Say that again.”

“Lend–no, no, borrow, lend me a little money. Just sixty–eight hundred, please?”

Sixty–eight hundred wasn’t even worth one button on his shirt.

But it could save her life.

+8 Pearls

Jasper’s eyes grew colder by the second. “Borrow? With what are you going

to repay me?”

She froze, her hands trembling as they clenched at her sides. She had nothing.

The savings, the investments, the properties she once had were all taken by the Lowells and handed over to Bianca after her true identity was exposed.

Even the jewelry she’d been left with had been sold off when she returned to her birth parents‘

house.

So… with what could she repay?

Her lips trembled for a long moment before she finally forced out, “I can… sell, sell-

She hadn’t finished the word “blood” when Jasper’s expression darkened into something terrifying.

“Tatiana. You’re that cheap?“.

His fury blazed higher.

The woman who had once been so arrogant, who had stalked him, blocked his way, sabotaged his contracts–was now willing to sell her body for sixty–eight hundred.

Had she changed?

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11:28 Sat, Oct 25

Chapter 5 Selling Herself for Sody Eight Hundred

Or was this her true, shameless nature laid bare?

“N–no, that’s not it, you misunderstand, I meant I could sell-

Flustered, she tried to explain, but the more she rushed, the worse her stutter grew.

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In the next instant, his hand clamped down on her jaw, forcing her face upward until she met his sharp, unrelenting gaze.

Those eyes gleamed with a cutting chill, slicing her apart inch by inch.

“Sixty–eight hundred for a night? Hah. You’re not even worth that.”

Humiliation scorched her skin.

Her eyes reddened. She opened her mouth to explain, then stopped. No matter what she said, it wouldn’t matter. He had already judged her.

For years, all she had ever done was explain.

Explain misunderstandings, explain her innocence, explain cause and effect.

But no one ever believed her.

So she went silent, lowering her head, her eyes empty.

To him, that silence was as good as an admission. His fury only mounted.

A bitter laugh escaped him. “Fine. I’ll give you the money.”

Her body shifted slightly, a flicker of hope in her gaze.

“You. Come here.”

He called over one of his men and, without expression, ordered, “Kiss him.”

The room went deathly still.

Tatiana’s shoulders shook. For a moment she thought she must have misheard.

“What’s wrong? Isn’t this what you wanted? Can’t do it?”

So this was it….

He was only humiliating her.

The last shreds of her dignity were crushed beneath his heel.

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Chapter 5 Selling Herself for Shty Fight Hundred

And suddenly, she realized it didn’t matter.

+8 Pearls:

Her purity had long since been stolen. She didn’t have long to live. What difference did it make. who she kissed?

Slowly, she walked forward, limping, toward the man.

The bodyguard broke out in cold sweat, darting panicked looks at his boss, praying he would take the order back.

This was a sin.

Ms. Steele was still in name, the boss’s wife. How could it come to this?

At last, Tatiana stood before him. Rising shakily on her toes, she leaned closer.

Jasper’s gaze grew darker still, his eyes locked on her every movement.

“Enough! You’ve gone too far!”

The college girl, who had stayed silent all this time, suddenly rushed forward, blocking Tatianal and breaking the moment.

Jasper’s raised hand stilled, then slid into his pocket as his expression froze back into indifference.

“How can you humiliate someone like this?”

The student’s voice rang with righteous outrage.

But Tatiana’s face went pale. She knew Jasper’s methods too well. If this girl angered him, she would be doomed.

“I–I’m fine. It’s fine. Don’t, don’t come over here!”

“You’re so sick already! And he’s still treating you like this! He’s nothing but a–mmph!”

Before she could finish the word “monster,” Tatiana clamped a shaking hand over her mouth.

Her face was chalk–white as she whispered frantically, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, don’t blame her, it’s my fault, I’m sorry.”

Jasper’s lips twisted into a cold smile. “The extra you hired has guts.”

Tatiana’s chest seized. She knew he bore grudges. He would never let this student off.

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11:28 Sat, Oct 25

Chapter 5 Setting Herself for Sixty Eight Hundred

+8 Pearls

Grinding her teeth, she shoved the girl back. “Gol Leave! You don’t have to act anymore. Just go. I’ll settle with you later, just go!”

The girl froze when she saw Tatiana’s eyes.

Eyes that pleaded with everything she had.

Something heavy was pressed into her palm

palmit felt like gold.

In the end, the girl left.

Tatiana nearly collapsed, forcing back tears as she turned away. “Yes, it was me, acting, tricking you. I’m sorry. Blame me. Just don’t blame anyone else.”

Filth already covered her body. What was one more layer?

Jasper wasn’t surprised. “Four years inside, and you haven’t changed at all.”

Her head nodded faintly, her voice dull. “Yes. I was wrong. I admit it.”

The more she submitted, the less he could calm himself.

He told himself it was only disappointment.

She was rotten to the core–arrogant, selfish, exposed as a fraud and still trying to take what belonged to Bianca.

Status. Affection. Tokens. She had always wanted to take.

That was why he despised her. Why he had sent her to Somerton.

Somerton Reformatory had a sterling reputation–scientific, safe, effective, as refined as any sanatorium, with costly, reputable programs.

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