Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rowan Vale 31

Chapter 31 

Briana blinked, dazed, and looked up into Shepard’s furious eyes. She had noticed his presence earlier, but she never expected him to be the one to stop her. She couldn’t figure out why he would. 

“You hurt yourself, and then run straight to Grandma first thing in the morning. Is that your plan?” Shepard’s voice was low and icy. “You really know how to play the victim.” 

His grip tightened painfully, as if he meant to crush her wrist. She insisted, “I’m not going to Grandma Evelyn. I just want to help Charles.” 

“And when Grandma sees you hurt and starts asking questions?” 

Briana answered calmly, “I’ll tell her I fell.” 

“I have plenty of ways to punish you,” Shepard cut in, his tone sharp. “You don’t get to choose.” 

He shoved her hand away, snatched the ashtray, and hurled it to the floor, where it shattered. “Tomorrow morning, come to the Carter Estate. Don’t be late.” Without another word, he turned and left. 

Vivian shot Briana a quick glance before hurrying after him. “Shep?” 

Briana stood motionless and silent until the footsteps faded completely. Only then did her rigid posture finally give way, her shoulders slumping. 

She had no idea what tomorrow morning would bring. But Shepard had given her a sliver of hope: for now, at least, Charles was safe. 

That said, because David refused to sign the mediation agreement, Charles was still being held at the police station and couldn’t go free. 

***** 

Shepard’s sports car roared down the deserted street in the dead of night. 

He gripped the steering wheel, face expressionless, foot pressing the accelerator to the floor. His knuckles were white. 

He couldn’t shake the image of Briana’s face, stubborn and fragile all at once. His first impulse had been to yank her to her feet, but he had forced himself not to. 

‘Idiot,‘ Shepard thought bitterly. ‘Will she ever just bend? Will she ever truly beg? Even begging for help, she wore that proud, stubborn mask. It felt like just another tactic, a calculated last resort. 

***** 

The sky was just beginning to lighten when Briana reached the Carter Estate. She walked directly to the front door and, without hesitation, sank to her knees. 

Daniel spotted her and started in alarm. He hurried over, trying to help her up. “Mrs. Carter, what are you doing? You really 

mustn’t.” 

“Shepard told me to,” Briana said flatly. “Please, Daniel, just go about your day. Pretend I’m not here.” 

“Is there trouble between you and Mr. Carter?” Daniel asked, his concern evident. 

Briana offered a tired smile. “It’s not your problem. Really, just ignore me.” She gently shook off his helping hand and knelt back down, her knees hitting the hard, uneven ground with a jolt of sharp pain. 

Chapter 31 

23 35 voucher Upstairs in the master bedroom, Shepard stood behind the curtains in his silk pajamas, watching Briana. ‘She came early, he noted, a flicker of disdain in his eyes. ‘Let’s see how long she lasts. 

Briana had always led a sheltered life. Though she lost her parents young, she was still a Lane, doted on by both Wrenley and Evelyn. Real hardship had never touched her. 

When they were younger, Shepard had always been there, shielding her from anything that might cause her pain. 

Her skin was absurdly sensitive. Back in school, just walking past the woods would leave her covered in itchy welts. Shepard used to carry mosquito repellent everywhere, just for her. 

At this thought, Shepard absently touched his neck. One mosquito had bitten him last night before bed, leaving a red bump. It was already starting to fade. 

A soft knock came at the door. “Shep, are you awake?” Vivian called from the hallway. “Can I come in?” 

“Come in,” Shepard answered. 

Shepard and Vivian had separate bedrooms. It was a line Shepard had drawn himself. 

He wouldn’t share a bed with Vivian until his divorce from Briana was final. He cared for Vivian too much to risk her reputation, and he refused to let anyone call her the other woman. To him, real love meant protection, not possession. 

Vivian said she didn’t mind, but Shepard did. The thought of anyone labeling her as “the other woman” was unbearable. 

Vivian walked into the master bedroom and joined him by the window. She glanced outside. “Oh, Briana’s here already?” 

“She’s just doing this to save her brother,” Shepard said coldly. 

“Shep,” Vivian ventured cautiously, “are you really going to just let Charles go?” 

He looked down at her. “What do you 

think?” 

“David says he won’t accept any apology or settlement,” Vivian explained. “He went to the hospital. It’s a mild concussion. We don’t know if there will be any long–term effects.” 

Shepard pressed his lips together, saying nothing. 

Vivian pressed on, “I can’t make this decision for David. If he refuses to forgive, then the law will have to take its course.” 

She could sense Shepard’s resolve faltering. ‘Why?‘ she wondered. ‘Is it because Briana begged? Because she smashed that ashtray? But how could he possibly soften toward her? She’s the one who tore us apart. 

Briana kept her head bowed, silent and still as stone. She had lost track of how long she’d been there. Her legs had gone completely numb. 

As dawn broke, she stared at the ground until a pair of men’s dress shoes suddenly entered her line of sight. She jerked her head up. “Shepard, please let my brother-” 

Before she could finish, he seized her shoulders and hauled her to her feet. 

Her legs gave out instantly, and she crashed into his chest. Her nose struck the hard wall of muscle, and she gasped at the sharp burst of pain.. 

Shepard looked down at her, eyes narrowed. “Is this part of your plan too, Briana?” 

She stared back, confused. “What plan?” 

“This act to get my attention. Trying to win me back, aren’t you?” His voice was cold. 

18:25 Fri, Dec 19 Mw 

Chapter 31 

Briana could only gape at him in disbelief. “Win you back? Seriously?” 

“You haven’t given me a single day of peace since the talk of our divorce,” he snapped. 

She let out a frustrated sigh. “So Charles getting into a fight is my fault now? Are you suggesting I put him up to it?” 

“He’s your brother,” Shepard retorted. “Of course you’d stick together. Siblings always do.” 

“You want me to just sit back and watch him go to jail because of you?” Briana shot back. 

“You’re trying to save him, aren’t you?” Shepard’s voice was icy. 

Briana sighed. She’d already swallowed her pride and done everything he’d demanded. It still wasn’t enough. “It’s not like I can actually make it anyway.” 

Shepard gave a cold laugh and released her. “Then keep begging.” 

“Fine.” Briana didn’t even ask how long. She simply obeyed, as she had nothing left to bargain with. 

Vivian approached with a steaming cup of coffee. “Here you go, Shep. Freshly ground, just the way you like it.” 

Shepard took the mug. “You always know what I need, Vivian.” 

A soft smile touched her lips. “I know all your favorites.” 

“It’s getting too bright out here,” Shepard said, glancing at the sun. “You should go inside.” 

“I’d rather stay with you,” Vivian replied, her tone gentle but firm. “Besides, I want to hear what you say to Briana.” 

After all, if Shepard was determined to press charges, Briana could keep trying until her legs gave out and it wouldn’t make a difference. But if he chose to protect Charles, even the Fletchers wouldn’t dare object. 

Briana’s gaze dropped. She stared at the crisp pant legs of Shepard and Vivian, then at her own knees pressed into the gravel. 

Her head swam, the edges of her vision darkening. It was another blood sugar crash. She hadn’t eaten breakfast, and after all this time, it was a miracle she hadn’t already passed out. 

The dizziness surged, and she swayed, beginning to slump sideways. 

She didn’t hit the ground. Instead, she fell into someone’s steady hold. A gentle voice reached her. “Briana, are you all right?” 

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