Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rowan Vale 47

Chapter 47 

Vivian parted her lips, stunned. She wanted to ask, “Why not?“. 

Shepard gently patted her head and said, “Tiffany’s at Carter Estate, so I need to head back.” 

Pouche 

Vivian looked at him for a long moment, her disappointment clear, before slowly lowering her gaze. 

Shepard said. “I’ll come by early tomorrow. I’ll have Briana come apologize to you.” 

Vivian’s head snapped up. 

Shepard added, “I’ll have someone stay in your room tonight, so you won’t be alone. If you need anything, just let them know.” 

Vivian could only nod. 

After Shepard left, a maid and a bodyguard walked into the hospital room. 

The maid said, “Ms. Fletcher, Mr. Carter asked us to keep you company tonight, and-” 

Vivian leaned back in bed and waved her hand impatiently, gesturing for them to go. All she wanted was Shepard’s company. Anyone else just felt like a bother. With Shepard around, Eric couldn’t come near her. 

Vivian thought, ‘Now that Shepard has people watching over me, Eric couldn’t get close to me, either.‘ 

85 

It was Eric who had given Vivian the drug that left her mute. Since Eric had handed it over and she’d taken it, she was going to put it to use. 

Vivian looked at the needle mark on the back of her hand and slowly smiled. 

She’d always known exactly what she wanted: power, status, and riches. She wanted everyone to flatter and praise her, and more than anything, she wanted to rise above her station and become someone people looked up to. 

Anyone who dared stand in her way, she’d make sure they disappeared. The biggest thorn in her side right now was Briana. The next one blocking her path was Eric. 

Vivian thought, ‘First, Briana goes down. Then, Eric. While she was scheming, a sudden noise came from the window. 

Vivian looked up to see Eric’s face smooshed right up against the glass, giving her a creepy smile. He looked straight up like a ghost, sending chills down her spine. 

She thought, ‘What the hell? How did he get there?‘ Terrified, she bolted out of bed, slammed the door shut, and locked it, never taking her eyes off Eric. 

Eric knocked on the window, motioning for her to let him in. 

Vivian swallowed nervously, stood frozen for a moment before finally walking over. 

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Chapter 47 

She opened the window, and Eric gripped the sill, ready to climb inside. 

The darkness of the night loomed behind him. The street below was buzzing with traffic. 

12 65 vouchere 

In that instant, a daring thought flashed through Vivian’s mind: shove Eric out the window. If she did, her path to becoming Mrs. Carter would be wide open. 

Eric asked, “Why are you looking at me like that? Thinking about pushing me out the window? Want to see me fall to my death?” 

Eric had seen right through Vivian. 

Vivian instinctively shook her head, pretending she hadn’t thought of it. 

Eric had already slipped into the room and dusted off his hands. He said, “If I die, it won’t do you any good. Keep your little schemes to yourself. Don’t even think about using them on me.” 

Vivian just watched him quietly. She couldn’t say a word right now anyway. 

Eric flashed a wicked grin and reached out to touch her face. He said, “If I die, an email will be sent straight to Shepard’s inbox, spilling everything about the fire at Aetherton University’s sports equipment room. 

“Vivian, everyone will know your deepest secret. You’ll be ruined, all your plans will fall apart, and everything you’ve done will be for nothing.” 

Vivian stepped back, avoiding Eric’s touch. She then pointed at her throat. 

Eric chuckled darkly and fished out a pill, offering it to her. 

Vivian popped it in her mouth without hesitation. 

It was the antidote. 

Vivian’s throat, dry and burning, was quickly soothed as if by a splash of spring water. She coughed and managed a faint, raspy sound. 

Eric sat down and said, “Just give it a minute. You’ll be talking in five. I picked this up in Kessaria. It works every time.” 

Vivian put a finger to her lips and gestured toward the door, signaling Eric to keep quiet–someone was outside. 

Eric said, “Shepard really does care about you. Makes sense, though. You risked your life for him, and you’re always so gentle and obedient, like that unattainable angel. No wonder he’s head over heels for you. 

“So, tell me, how did you come up with the idea to set that fire back then? You’re seriously something else: definitely not someone to mess with.” 

Vivian’s expression didn’t change. After a moment, she managed to speak, her voice rough and slow. She said, “Why’d you come here? Climbing in through the window… that’s risky.” 

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Chapter 47 

“For you? A little danger’s nothing to me,” Eric replied. 

Vivian asked, “Eric, what are you really after?” 

“I’m into you, obviously. Can’t you tell? If you’re good enough for Shepard, why wouldn’t I want you too?” Eric said, flashing a roguish grin and spreading his hands. 

“Just us here. You can drop the act,” Vivian said. 

Eric’s smirk faded, turning serious. He said, “Honestly? I want to help you marry Shepard.” 

Vivian pressed, “And then what?” 

“Come on, you’re smart. You get it,” Eric said. 

Vivian said, “So you want to control me, use me. Make me your pawn, always at your beck and call, feeding you Shepard’s secrets and updates. That’s what you want, right?” 

Eric stared at her and said, “Vivian, this is the only way for you. You have to work with me.” 

If she refused, she’d lose everything in an instant. 

Vivian shot back, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll drag you down with me? If I lose everything, you’ll go down with me, 

too.” 

“But at the end of the day, I am a Carter. What about you? What leverage do you have?” Eric sneered. 

Vivian’s jaw clenched so tight she thought her teeth might crack. 

Eric had her where he wanted her. 

Eric yanked her onto his lap and said, “Relax. Whether I end up on top in the Carter family or Shepard keeps calling the shots, you’ll never lose out. You’ll get to enjoy all the perks either way.” 

His eyes roamed over her, greedy and sleazy, and his hands started to get handsy. 

Vivian clamped down on his hands, her grip iron–tight. She said, “Don’t you dare.” 

“So Shepard gets to put his hands on you, but I can’t?” Eric shot back. 

Vivian gritted her teeth and said, “He’s never touched me. Not once.” 

Eric froze, staring at her like she’d grown a second head. He said, “Wait, what? You’ve been with Shepard all these years, and he’s never laid a finger on you? Seriously?” 

It was humiliating, and Vivian hated to admit it, but that was the cold, hard truth. 

She said, “Yeah. I’m still a virgin, and Shepard knows it. So for now, you should just forget whatever you’re planning.” 

She never imagined that not sleeping with Shepard would actually be the one thing keeping Eric’s hands off 

 

her. 

Eric was quiet for a long time before finally saying, “Vivian, you really need to find a way to get Shepard into your bed. If you want to really own a man’s heart, you gotta make sure he stays in your bed.” 

Vivian didn’t say a word. Of course, she wanted to be Shepard’s woman, but he just wouldn’t sleep with her. 

He insisted on waiting until he’d cut things off with Briana for good before he’d even consider being with her that way. All she could do was wait. 

Eric added, “Honestly, your best shot is to get pregnant. Once you have his baby, you’ll finally have some real power. The Carter family might actually accept you, but only if there’s a kid in the picture.” 

A.D