Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rowan Vale 42

Chapter 42 

55 vouchers 

Vivian stood off to the side, her body trembling violently. She thought, ‘Did they make up? No divorce anymore? Did they even spend the whole night together?” 

Tiffany beamed and said, “Performance boosters are exactly what you need to conceive the Carter heir soon. Off to the kitchen I go.” 

With that, Tiffany headed off to the kitchen, full of energy and excitement. She thought, So Mrs. Carter isn’t weak at all. It’s just that Vivian is completely shameless. 

‘But then again, what shame could someone who knowingly plays the other woman even have?‘ 

Briana kept her arm hooked around Shepard’s, speaking in a deliberately sweet, girlish voice, “Babe, I’m hungry. Let’s go get some breakfast.” 

Her voice was naturally clear and crisp, with no damage at all. Right now, she was purposely making it extra sweet and cutesy, so sugary it could make anyone melt. Her voice was so much prettier than Vivian’s that it 

wasn’t even a contest. 

Shepard looked at Briana. He’d never seen this side of her before. 

Briana was always so gentle and graceful, her smile soft and reserved: warm, yet always holding him at arm’s length. But now, she was like a cunning little fox, her eyes sparkling with playful energy, making her impossible to figure out. 

Shepard had no idea what Briana had in mind. It was like she had him under her spell; he just followed her toward the dining room without even thinking. Only when Vivian called out “Shep.” did he snap out of it. 

Shepard stopped in his tracks. 

Briana gasped, pretending she’d only just noticed Vivian. She said, “Ms. Fletcher, why are you still hanging around? Aren’t you leaving? Or do you have some unfinished business?” 

Vivian was grinding her teeth so hard that she thought she might break them. 

Briana was obviously showing Vivian who was boss, delivering a brutal slap in the face. But Vivian couldn’t fight back; all she could do was grit her teeth and swallow the humiliation. After all, this was Briana’s territory, and Vivian was just an unwelcome guest. 

Briana arched her brow and asked, “Ms. Fletcher? Are you really planning to join the happy couple for breakfast?” 

She gave a half–mocking, half–dismissive smile and added, “Why not just eat that breakfast you’re clutching? You already made it, so don’t let all that effort go to waste.” 

Vivian couldn’t take it anymore. She’d always been the one messing with Briana. But today, Briana was shutting her down at every turn. “Briana, you….” she started. 

Shepard interrupted sharply, his voice cold and firm. He said, “Daniel, take Vivian home.” 

17:36 Sat, Dec 20 

Chapter 42 

“Yes, sir.” Daniel replied. 

2200 

so voucher! 

Vivian wasn’t about to leave without a fight. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, heartbreakingly vulnerable. She looked like she’d crumple at the slightest touch. 

Since Tiffany was right there, Shepard couldn’t just walk over and comfort Vivian. He thought, I’ll explain everything to her later. 

Briana just waved Vivian off with a little smirk. She said, “Bye–bye!” She kept her arm linked with Shepard’s as they headed to the dining room together. 

Now and then, she’d turn to Shepard, chatting and grinning at him, looking all cheerful and close 

Vivian watched the two of them walk away, their figures growing distant. She thought, ‘Briana is really throwing down the gauntlet now. 

So she’s finally done pretending: no more fake generosity, no more talk of divorce. She’s even brought out her secret weapon, Evelyn, and now she’s officially declaring war on me. 

“I knew it. Briana would never just give up the Mrs. Carter throne without a fight. Alright then. Bring it on. Let’s see who gets the last laugh, who’s the real winner in the end.‘ 

Vivian stomped her foot and stormed out in a huff. Her eyes were full of hatred and unwillingness to back down. 

As they were about to reach the dining room, Briana caught sight of Vivian slipping away from the corner of her eye. Instantly, she dropped Shepard’s arm, her smile vanishing, and put space between them. 

It was as if that sweet, affectionate woman from moments ago had never existed. 

Shepard stared at the space where Briana’s arm had just been, his own feeling strangely empty. Her warmth and scent still clung to him. He said coldly, “Finished with your little performance? Hmm?” 

“Of course. Now that your precious Vivian’s gone, who am I supposed to be acting for? What’s the fun if there’s no audience?” Briana replied, her tone light and mocking. 

She shrugged, picked up the pace, and made a beeline for the dining room. She was famished: food was all she could think about. After all, she was eating for two now. Suddenly, the world spun around her. 

Shepard had Briana pinned against the wall, his fingers gripping her chin. “I knew you were just doing it to get under Vivian’s skin. Briana, does throwing your weight around give you a thrill?” Shepard said, his breath fanning her face. 

Briana nodded and said, “Hell yeah, it feels great. Is Vivian the only one who gets to step all over me? Why should I always be the one getting bullied?” 

“You’ve got quite the mouth on you,” Shepard said. 

Briana shot back, “Only just figured that out?” 

“Yeah. You always kept that side of you buried deep,” Shepard said, his gaze darkening. 

17:36 Sat, Dec 20 

Chapter 42 

Briana said, “No. I used to let things slide for you, but now I just want to- 

” 

E55 voucher 

“Want to what?” Shepard demanded. 

Briana spat out each word, her tone icy, “Curse you out.” She added in her head, ‘Jerk. Scumbag 

Briana tried to push Shepard’s chest, but he didn’t move at all. Her hand landed on nothing but solid muscle, She instantly brought up her knee, aiming low. She thought, “That’s a guy’s weak spot. No way he’d just stand there.’ 

But Shepard saw it coming: he blocked her move before she could even lift her knee, pinning her leg down. 

Briana was completely immobilized, unable to budge an inch. She tried to wriggle free, teeth clenched. She said, “Let me go!” 

“Weren’t you dying to curse me out? Go on, do it now,” Shepard drawled, his eyes lazy and mocking, 

“I’ve never met anyone who goes around asking to be insulted,” Briana shot back. 

“Well, you’re looking at one,” Shepard replied. 

Briana huffed. She said, “I’m not in the mood for that. I’m starving. I just want food.” 

She turned her head toward the dining room. Shepard leaned in. Their lips grazed, just a whisper of a touch -soft and warm. 

Briana’s breath hitched, a jolt of electricity racing through her. Her brain short–circuited, leaving her staring wide–eyed at his lips, now mere inches from hers. 

Shepard’s lips were dangerously kissable. It was almost too perfect. Honestly, every feature on his face was the kind one’d only see once in a lifetime. 

Shepard and Briana had shared kisses before, more than once–so many times their lips had tangled, lost in each other, on campus, beneath the dorm windows, along shadowy forest trails, even right at the gates of Evergreen Estate. 

Back then, they were crazy about each other. Back then, Vivian was just a nobody: so invisible, no one even noticed her. 

Briana was totally hung up on Shepard. Even when he tried to break off the engagement, she was still determined to marry him, convinced by the intensity of his love. 

So she played the perfect housewife, hoping to win him back, to make him love her like before. Five years went by, and it was all for nothing. She was exhausted. 

After they got married, Shepard was as cold as ever: he never even laid a finger on her. Not a single kiss, not even holding hands. 

“So now you’re trying to seduce me, huh?” Shepard asked. His eyes darkened, his voice low and provocative. 

Briana snapped back, “I am not—” 

17:36 Sat, Dec 20 

Chapter 42 

56 vouchers 

But Shepard cut her off, his tone smooth and dangerous. He asked, “What if I admit you actually got to me?” 

Briana was stunned, completely caught off guard. 

Shepard’s thumb lingered on Briana’s lower lip, rubbing it again and again, slow and teasing. 

He suddenly remembered their first kiss. He’d walked her home, and as she turned to leave at the gates of Evergreen Estate, he’d called her name. 

She looked back, eyes clear and pure, and without a word, he cupped her face and kissed her: no hesitation, innocent and unpracticed. 

Right now, Shepard felt that same wild urge he’d felt the first time they kissed. A voice in his head was screaming at him: “Kiss her. Now! Like you did back then.” 

“Mr. Carter, Mrs. Carter, breakfast is ready,” Daniel blurted out, his voice breaking the moment. 

The interruption crashed right through the tension between them, killing the vibe instantly. 

Daniel clammed up and ducked out fast. 

But it was too late. 

Shepard straightened up like it was no big deal, headed to the table, and sat down. 

Briana stood there, unable to move, like she was glued to the floor. Just now, when Shepard leaned in close, she’d almost closed her eyes, just like she used to in those old days. 

AD