Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rowan Vale 45

Chapter 45 

Shepard, on the other hand, didn’t even touch his cup of coffee. 

Briana knew he was extremely picky about what he ate and drank. 

Shepard wouldn’t even look at regular coffee; even the premium stuff had to be fresh from that season’s roast, never stale. 

Briana said, “This is all I’ve got. If you don’t like it, suit yourself. You’ve sent those floral arrangements, said your congratulations, and had your coffee. You can leave now.” 

She didn’t beat around the bush; she was kicking them out. 

But Shepard didn’t make any move to leave. He asked, “So, who hooked you up with Leonard? Was it Henry?” 

After all, it was Leonard’s presence that made Dreamscape Gallery’s grand opening such a sensation, grabbing everyone’s attention and turning it into a real hit. 

With Leonard running the show at Dreamscape Gallery, the hype was only going to get bigger from here. 

Briana retorted, “So what if it was? So what if it wasn’t? Why do you care so much? You’re just my ex–husband.” 

Shepard’s face darkened a little. He shot back, “I can’t even ask?” 

“No comment!” Briana snapped. 

Vivian hooked her arm through Shepard’s and gave a sweet smile. She said, “Briana and Henry were classmates, and they used to work together on the student council. They’ve always been tight, so of course he’d lend her a hand.” 

It sounded like she was just explaining, but really, Vivian was stirring the pot. 

Vivian added, “And let’s be real, Briana’s always had a way with the guys back in college. Now that she’s opening her own gallery, I’m sure her old Aetherton University buddies chipped in here and there. 

“Otherwise, where do you think all that startup cash came from?” 

It was no secret that Briana was always popular with the guys. She had the kind of look that made every guy think of his first crush. 

Less than a week into her freshman year, everyone already agreed she was the prettiest girl in the department. 

She was innocent and sweet, her eyes turning into crescents and dimples appearing whenever she smiled. She was always friendly and easy to get along with, never losing her temper with anyone. 

Compared to Vivian, who was pretty much invisible back then, all eyes were always on Briana. 

Plus, Briana and Shepard were dating at the time. They were the couple everyone gossiped about. 

12:36 Sun, Dec 21 M… 

Chapter 45 

People couldn’t help but be jealous. Almost everyone had heard about the dream couple of Aetherton University. 

If it hadn’t been for the whole sports equipment room fire incident, Vivian would’ve just been a nobody, totally off everyone’s radar. 

Shepard’s face grew even darker. 

Briana didn’t bother to argue. She just played along, her tone a little mocking. She said, “Yep, that’s right. Before I opened the gallery, I borrowed money from every guy I knew at Aetherton University. 

“Oh, and Leonard? He was introduced to me by one of those guys, too.” 

Vivian said with a smug smile, “See, Shep? Didn’t I call it?” 

“Yeah, you’re just that clever. There’s not a single person in all of Belaris who could ever outsmart you,” Briana replied, her sarcasm unmistakable. 

Briana thought, ‘Vivian had bluntly snatched Shepard away from me, making him hers, even going so far as to go head–to–head with his family to break off our engagement. Now that’s nerve.‘ 

Vivian looked at Briana and said, “I know you can’t stand me, but we’re classmates. You don’t have to be so harsh.” 

Briana thought, ‘Harsh? Me? Maybe she should check her own track record before calling me out.‘ 

Just then, Olivia’s voice cut through from the doorway. She snapped, “Briana’s harsh? How about you try me instead and see how that goes?” 

When Olivia walked in, Briana’s smile finally turned genuine. She called out, “Olivia, you are here.” 

“Yeah, I got caught up with something this morning, but came straight over once I was done. Here, these are for you,” Olivia said, handing over a bouquet. 

“You just love to mess with me, don’t you?” Briana said. 

Olivia grinned and said, “Hey, I’m just telling it like it is. So, where’s the victory party tonight?” 

Briana was about to answer when Olivia suddenly jumped in, “Wait, tell me later. Wouldn’t want certain people overhearing and crashing the party just to mooch free food and drinks.” 

Shepard frowned. He knew Olivia’s personality inside out. Olivia always spoke her mind and never worried about stepping on anyone’s toes. 

Vivian was no stranger to Olivia either. 

Back in college, the campus forums were flooded with photos of Shepard and Briana together, all snapped by Olivia. 

Olivia was their biggest fan, totally hooked on their romance and shipping them like crazy. 

12:36 Sun, Deo 21 M 

Chapter 45 

Who would’ve thought Vivian would suddenly get in the way? 

Olivia snorted, “Some people aren’t welcome at the victory party, so do yourself a favor and don’t come crashing in to kill the vibe. Oh, and by the way.” 

Olivia’s eyes lit up as she turned to Briana, bubbling with excitement. She said, “Guess what? I’ve got everything sorted: the victory bash and your master–disciple ceremony are happening together. From now on, you’re Leonard’s disciple, learning straight from the master himself. 

“Just wait, it won’t be long before the art world’s got a brand new superstar and it’s gonna be you, Briana!” 

Shepard looked taken aback. He asked, “Wait, you’re the one who introduced Leonard to Briana?” 

Olivia shot back, “Yeah, got a problem with that? Anything Briana’s got going on is my business, too. When she opened her gallery, I called in every favor I could to make sure she had all the backup she needed. 

“Not like you, showing up with your little side piece: way to ruin the mood.” 

Vivian bit down on her lip, her face turning ghostly pale. She murmured, “I’m not some side piece.” 

Olivia snorted, “Oh, really? Then what are you, huh? You think you’re his true love now? Before you barged in, Shepard and Briana were childhood sweethearts, totally crazy about each other. After you showed up, they got married: legit, on paper, and everything. 

“So what does that make you? Slapping a ‘true love‘ sticker on yourself doesn’t change the fact you’re just the side piece.” 

Vivian argued stubbornly, “Shep wanted to break up and end the engagement, but Briana just wouldn’t go along with it.” 

“So if she didn’t agree, then they never actually split up, which makes you the side chick! Can’t argue with that logic, can you?” Olivia shot back. 

Vivian’s lips turned even whiter. She defended, “After Shep got married, I left the country. It was only after they got divorced that I even thought about…” 

As she spoke, her voice grew quieter and quieter. In the end, she couldn’t make a sound. She kept trying to speak, her mouth wide and her throat straining, but no matter how many times she tried, nothing came out at 

all. 

The lounge suddenly went dead silent. 

Vivian grabbed Shepard’s hand, so desperate that she couldn’t even cry. She pointed urgently at her throat, her face full of panic. 

Shepard caught on right away. He asked, “Is something wrong with your throat?” 

Vivian nodded over and over, looking frantic. She was suddenly mute, unable to say a word. She could only communicate through gestures. She kept pointing at her throat and motioned as if she was drinking water. 

“You want some water?” Shepard asked, trying to figure out what Vivian was trying to say. He quickly snatched 

12:36 Sun, Dec 21 M 

Chapter 45 

up the cup of coffee Briana had just poured for him and offered it to Vivian. 

85 

vouchers. 

Vivian shook her head hard, gesturing at the coffee in Shepard’s hand, then pointing insistently at her own empty cup, the one she’d already finished. 

Shepard thought, ‘Wait, is she trying to say something’s up with the coffee?‘ 

Shepard’s hand loosened, and the cup fell straight to the floor with a crisp snap, shattering into countless shards. 

Shepard shot Briana a piercing glare and demanded, “What did you put in the coffee?” 

Briana was stunned. She thought, ‘What does this have to do with me?‘ 

Shepard snapped, “Vivian lost her voice right after drinking your coffee. Briana, how could you be so cruel? You’re wicked. Absolutely heartless!”