Chapter 2
Jasper’s eyes were cold and sharp, his face twisted with disgust. “Still unrepentant p>
Tatiana’s head dripped blood, her eyes frantic as she tried to explain.
A
“Jasper, it, it was her, she told the people at the reformatory to, to beat me! They, they broke my leg! Tore off my nails p>
He sneered. “What’s this? Didn’t you just say they rotted from illness? Tatiana, how many more lies are you going to tell p>
Her words died in her throat. She couldn’t speak.
Lauren hurried to support her daughter, her face full of concern. “Bianca, are you all right? furious. Does it hurt? But when her gaze caught the marks around Bianca’s neck, she grew “Tatiana! How could you do this to Bianca? She’s always cared about you, always thought about you. She even went to the reformatory herself to bring you food, and this is how you repay her p>
Visits? Bringing food?
Tatiana suddenly remembered that every month she’d be punished by inexplicable electric shocks. Her voice trembled. “The seventh… every month, right p>
Chester Lowell’s face filled with disappointment. “Tati, you know perfectly well Bianca went to visit you every seventh of the month. She cared about you, always tried to protect you, and this is how you treat her? We should’ve sent you to prison back then, let you repent properly p>
Four
years ago, she had been accused of a hit–and–run, nearly thrown in jail. Her family had paid a fortune in compensation to get a letter of forgiveness.
But she hadn’t done it. Even with the evidence piled against her, she had no way to defend herself.
Then Bianca had said, “Tatiana’s gone bad. Why not send her to the reformatory? She can come out and be a better person.” And that was how she had been locked inside Somerton Reformatory for four years.
“Dad, Dad! She, she wasn’t kind at all, she never came to see me! She, she came to punish me! She-
“Enough! I am not your father. I don’t have such a vicious, scheming daughter! We never should have let you out. Driver, take her back immediately p>
Tatiana stared at her adoptive parents who refused to believe her. The light in her eyes slowly
went out.
s
How could she forget she was no longer the cherished young lady of the Lowell family.
Her head turned stiffly toward Jasper. Shaking, she forced out a sentence. “What do, I have to do, so I won’t, go back p>
The entire Lowell family lived clinging to the Jackson family. Jasper’s word was law.
His gaze was icy, his voice low and commanding. “Apologize to Bianca p>
She turned toward Bianca, who was nestled tearfully in Lauren’s arms.
Apologize?
But what had she done wrong?
She hadn’t chosen to be switched at birth. She hadn’t done those things. She hadn’t schemed to climb into his bed.
One by one, every sin had been heaped onto her. She had resisted, she had argued, but no one had ever believed her.
It didn’t matter anymore.
Slowly, she reached Bianca, murmuring, “I’m sorry. Forgive me p>
“I was wrong.
“I won’t do that again p>
With each apology, she sobbed harder, disregarding any shred of dignity left in her.
Satisfaction flashed in Bianca’s eyes. She just loved being on her high horse.
But catching the faint flicker of pity in Lauren’s gaze, she quickly stood and helped Tatiana up. “Tatiana, I don’t blame you. It’s okay. I know you don’t mean it. I forgive you p>
Chester smiled with relief. “Bianca really is kindhearted. Even after all this, she still thinks of you p>
Tatiana no longer resisted or denied anything. Her vision darkened in waves, her body swaying.
Pain stabbed into her arm where Bianca gripped her tightly, sharp nails digging cruelly into her flesh, as though slicing her alive.
“Tatiana, let’s get along from now on p>
She endured the pain and nodded.
Chester checked his watch. “It’s late. Let’s take care of the real business now p>
itement flickered in Bianca’s eyes, though she forced a look of hesitation. “Jasper, won’t this ruin your marriage? Maybe we should forget it p>
For once, Jasper’s expression softened. “It doesn’t matter. It was supposed to be you anyway p>
Tatiana’s head snapped toward him. Supposed to be her? What did that mean?
There had never been an engagement between the Lowells and the Jacksons. She had chased Jasper alone, ten years of humiliation, ready to give up until Jasper suddenly agreed to marry her.
At the time, she had just escaped her birth family and clung to the Lowells for survival. Her heart had soared, believing Jasper had finally seen her worth.
But after being framed into his bed, he turned on her, denying everything, trying to back out of the marriage.
In the end, the Jackson patriarch forced him to accept it. They registered hastily, with not wedding, no public acknowledgment. She had been nothing but a shadow, a dog begging for
scraps.
His fleeting kindness had been nothing but a cruel illusion.
Bianca blushed shyly. “Jasper, I don’t mind p>
Jasper murmured a few words to soothe her, then gathered the documents and took Tatiana
away.
Chester squeezed his daughter’s hand. “Bianca, the Lowell family’s future depends on you. Don’t waste it p>
Compared to unloved Tatiana, Bianca clearly suited Jasper better. Chester’s favoritism was obvious.
The car headed toward the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Tatiana stared blankly out the window as the scenery sped by
familiar yet foreign.
After four years locked away, the world outside had changed beyond recognition. She had no phone, no ID, no belongings. The Lowells had taken everything.
The scent of smoke reached her nose. She turned her head to see him light a cigarette, instinctively shrinking back.
She remembered he didn’t smoke.
“Disgusted p>
She shook her head quickly. How could she have the right to dislike him?
But her body betrayed her. Her throat itched, and she began coughing.
The coughs wouldn’t stop, tearing from her chest as though her lungs might come out.
Jasper’s expression darkened. “Stop the car p>
The driver pulled to the side.
“Get out p>
Tatiana clutched her chest, trying to explain. “No, it’s not, cough cough cough… listen, cough cough p>
Following orders, the driver dragged her out and dumped her on the roadside.
“Run there. If you’re late, you know the consequences p>
The car sped away.
Bent over, she coughed until something hot burst up her throat.
She looked down her hands were full of blood.
Last winter, she’d been locked outside all night in the freezing cold, left with a raging fever that was never treated. Her lungs had been damaged ever since. Smoke only made it worse.
Slowly, she straightened and limped forward.
By the time she reached the Civil Affairs Bureau, the sun was setting.
Jasper’s tall figure stretched long in the orange glow. Warm light softened the edges of his striking face, but not the ice in his eyes.
He turned to leave, unaware that a hundred meters behind him, someone shouted, “Help! Somebody’s fainted p>
Tatiana had collapsed, lying just a hundred meters away. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on.net
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As the Cullinan glided past the crowd, Jasper looked up from his ringing phone, his expression casing as he answered.
At that exact moment, she was lifted into an ambulance, sirens wailing.
When she woke, it was already the next day.
The doctor’s grim face sent dread coursing through her chest.
“Contact your family. They need to come immediately. Your condition is critical p>
Her lips trembled. “Doctor, what’s, wrong with me p>
“You have lung cancer. The cells have already spread p>
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.