Chapter 3
Chapter 3 Countdown to Death
Lung cancer.
The word struck like a thunderclap, shattering Tatiana’s sanity.
She forced out a broken smile, tears streaming down her checks.
She had thought that after finally leaving the reformatory, she could begin life anew. Instead, fate had played a cruel joke.
“Doctor, how much, time do I, have left p>
“If you undergo treatment, you might live a little longer. But the cost is very high p>
She fell silent, her fists tightening slowly. “And… the worst case p>
“Two months p>
The doctor’s expression softened with pity, though he still tried to console her. “If the treatment works well, there might be a miracle. You should discuss it with your family p>
Her voice was flat, numb. “I… don’t have, a family anymore p>
Her birth parents had tried to sell her into prostitution. Her adoptive parents despised her. She had no one.
With no money to pay for hospitalization, she couldn’t even get her prescriptions, leaving the hospital in debt she would never repay.
Her phone and ID were still with Jasper. Years of electric shocks had dulled her mind, leaving her memory weak she couldn’t even remember the way back.
Her old leg injury flared up, every step excruciating. Walking was clumsy and painful. No one would lend their phone to a beggar like her.
In the end, she wandered the streets, sleeping under bridges, surviving on scraps from the
trash.
She still clung to the thought that Jasper would come looking for her to finalize the divorce.
But everyone else assumed she was hiding to avoid it.
“Can’t find her p>
“Yes, sir. We searched both the Lowell family and the Steele family. There’s no trace of her p>
Jasper’s frown deepened, though a flicker of certainty and disdain passed through his eyes.
Of course. How could Tatiana ever agree to a divorce?
She had chased him for ten years, impossible to shake off. She had even impersonated Bianca, climbing into his bed just to force him into marriage. How could she willingly let go?
Her sudden obedience had only been a ploy – lulling him into dropping his guard, then fleeing to avoid the divorce.
His lips twisted in a cold smile. “Start with her friends. Without identification, she can only go a handful of places p>
Yet three full days passed, and still no trace of Tatiana. The rightful source is.net
Irritation creeping in. Jasper thought of one person and dialed.
It was Zara Zeller, once Tatiana’s closest friend.
Zara’s voice exploded through the line. Jasper! Are you even human? You threw Tati into that hellhole for four years! You bastard! Don’t you dare call me again p>
“She’s with you. Tell her to come out p>
“You’re insane! You think I’m hiding Tati? Wait–what do you mean, she’s missing p>
“Zara, stop pretending p>
‘Pretending, my ass! Jasper, I’ve tolerated you long enough! You promised to marry her, then backed out! You’re worse than p>
“The Zeller family’s business contracts can be voided p>
The line went dead silent, then after a pause, Zara’s voice came back weaker. “Tati’s not with me. I swear p>
Jasper hung up, his face dark.
She wasn’t with the Lowells, nor the Jacksons, nor the Zellers. No one in their circle dared
shelter her.
She was tougher than four years ago, better at hiding.
He gave the order. “Notify Somerton Reformatory. When she’s found, send her back p>
If she hadn’t been reformed, then she would be.
By the fourth day, Tatiana was filthy, reeking of sewage, chased from everywhere she went.
She had waited so long, but Jasper never came.
The coughing never stopped, day and night. Other beggars avoided her, fearing contagion.
She coughed up mouthfuls of blood, her breathing scorching her chest. Every step was like treading on air.
She staggered along the street, begging strangers for a phone, but not one would lend it.
At last she collapsed. A kind–hearted college girl helped her
“Are you all right? Do you need to go to the hospital? ”
“Please, can you… lend me, your phone p>
“My phone? Sure p>
With trembling hands, she took it, dialing the one number etched into her bones.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
“Who is this p>
That cold, familiar voice.
Her eyes reddened, her voice hoarse and ragged. “Jasper, it’s… me p>
“Tatiana. Playing tricks again p>
“No, no, I’m not, I… cough, cough, cough…” She doubled over, hacking up another mouthful of blood. The college student beside her cried out in alarm. “Oh my God, are you okay? You’re coughing up blood p>
Her body chilled, life slipping away. Desperation clawed at her as she pleaded,
“I’m sick, very… very sick. Can you… lend me some money? Just, just three thousand. Please? It hurts so much p>
Every organ screamed in agony, pain sawing through her bones.
But his reply was a cold, derisive laugh. “Tatiana, still the same tricks? Why don’t you just die already p>
Each word sliced like a knife.
In a daze, she lifted her head and saw a massive screen playing breaking news: “President of Jackson Corp spends thirty billion on a lavish estate to please his beloved p>
In her car, Jasper’s voice was merciless. “You’d better pray I don’t find in Somerton for the rest of your life p>
The call cut off, severing her final thread of hope.
you.
Otherwise, you’ll rot
Jasper ended the call and immediately ordered a trace on the IP address.
“Jasper, what’s wrong? Who was on the phone p>
“Business.
He said nothing more. Bianca’s health was fragile. no need to burden her with this.
“Jasper, I really love this estate! Thank you p>
“As long as you like it p>
It was just an estate. He didn’t care.
Years ago, he had been hunted down, left bleeding and half–dead. If not for Bianca saving him. he would have perished.
He owed her his life.
But Tatiana had stolen the token he had given Bianca, impersonating his savior, demanding marriage.
He had thought her merely willful. In truth, she was malicious, unforgivable.
Bianca asked carefully, “Jasper, that token… did you get it back p>
His gaze sharpened. “She still hasn’t returned it p>
Bianca looked troubled, speaking softly. “No. Tatiana just came back, and I didn’t want to upset her by asking. I thought I’d wait until she adjusted to life outside, then get it back. After all, it’s yours, something you gave me p>
Her cheeks flushed as she lowered her eyes, the very picture of shy innocence.
Jasper’s voice softened. “You’re too kind”
Tatiana dared steal a token and impersonate Bianca, yet Bianca still thought of her feelings.
Bianca leaned closer. “Jasper, L p>
Buzz. His phone vibrated.
He answered immediately. A voice on the other end reported:
“Sir, we’ve located Ms. Steele 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.