Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rowan Vale 48

Chapter 48 

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Vivian’s heart skipped a beat. She thought, ‘Yeah. A child is the real way to survive in a rich family. If Briana and Shepard had had a kid together in the past five years, they never would have split up. 

‘And I would never have gotten my chance. Briana is so foolish. She actually ended the pregnancy herself. Well, saves me the trouble.‘ 

Vivian asked, “Got any folk remedies? I’m willing to give it a shot.” 

Eric brushed her cheek, his voice teasing as he said, “Even if I had some magic trick, Shepard would still have to hook up with you first. If he won’t even lay a finger on you, not even a god could make it happen.” 

Vivian said, “He won’t do anything until we go public with our relationship. What am I supposed to do?” 

“Honestly, how many guys are saints who can actually resist temptation? Maybe you’re just not seductive enough,” Eric teased. 

Vivian shook her head and said, “Shep isn’t into that. He likes someone sweet, thoughtful, and always puts him first.” 

Eric shot back, “Nope. Men have always wanted a lady in the streets and a freak in the sheets.” 

Vivian looked like she was deep in thought. 

Eric said, “Better start taking notes. Once you’ve got the moves down, you’ll have everything you want.” 

“Moves?” Vivian echoed. 

Eric said, “Bedroom skills. Go watch some videos, get some practice in.” 

He was obscene. Vivian, however, was all ears. 

By the time Briana got home from the celebration party, it was already past midnight. The gallery had been 

a huge success, way better than she’d ever imagined. She’d finally made it on her own. 

From here on out, she could start opening Dreamscape Gallery branches in major cities across the country, one after another. 

She could finally pick up her brush again and paint whatever she wanted: everything she saw, and every wild idea that popped into her head. 

Now that she was learning from Leonard, Briana’s reputation in the art world blew up overnight. 

As Briana stepped into the living room, the strong scent of herbal medicine filled the air. 

Tiffany was busy brewing herbal medicine again. 

Tiffany immediately stopped what she was doing when she saw Briana. She called out, “Mrs. Carter, you’re getting home later and later. Is the gallery keeping you that busy?” 

“Yeah, it’s been crazy with the opening,” Briana replied. 

Tiffany said, “When are you going to get a break? I asked the herbalist, and he said the medicine works best if you take it in the morning. 

“But you always throw it up right away, so you have to take it with you and wait until after lunch. I’m worried it won’t work as well that way.” 

Seeing the concern on Tiffany’s face, Briana couldn’t help but feel a little guilty inside. Every time, she’d just take the medicine to the gallery and pour it straight down the toilet. 

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18:22 

Love Burnt, Baby Stayed 

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Tiffany genuinely cared about Briana’s well–being, just as Evelyn hoped Briana and Shepard would grow old together. 

Briana said, “My stomach’s just been off in the mornings lately. I’ll head upstairs now. Make sure you get some rest, too, Tiffany.” 

“Of course, Mrs. Carter. Mr. Carter’s still up, waiting for you. He hasn’t slept yet,” Tiffany said. 

Briana nodded, keeping her face neutral. But inside, she knew Shepard was waiting upstairs, ready to let his anger loose on her. 

Briana made her way upstairs, heading for the master bedroom. But as she passed the study, she saw the door was wide open. She spotted Shepard sitting at his desk. 

Shepard’s shirt was unbuttoned at the top, hanging open, his chest faintly visible. He wore gold–rimmed glasses; a pile of documents sat beside him. 

Hearing her footsteps, Shepard didn’t even look up as he said, “You’re back.” 

Briana stopped in her tracks. She replied, “Yeah.” 

“Get in here,” Shepard said coldly. 

Briana walked into the study and closed the door behind her. 

The study was pretty dark, the only light coming from the lamp on Shepard’s desk. 

The lamp threw his features into sharp relief, making him look even colder and intimidating. 

Briana stood across from him. 

Shepard swung his arm and flung two sealed bags at her. 

The bags thudded against Briana and dropped to the floor. 

Briana looked down. 

One was a teacup. The other was a medical report. 

Briana didn’t bother to pick them up. She already knew what this was about. She asked, “So they found traces of the mute drug in the teacup?” 

“You’re the one who spiked it. Don’t act like you don’t know,” Shepard said coldly. 

Briana lifted her gaze, locking eyes with Shepard, her expression unwavering. She said coolly, “If you’re set on blaming me, you’ll never run out of excuses.” 

He was convinced it was her; no matter what she said, it wouldn’t make a difference. And there was no way for her to prove her innocence. 

Shepard said, “I know you hate Vivian, and I get why you can’t stand her. But you can’t go after her. She’s done nothing to deserve this.” 

Briana didn’t say a word. She had nothing to say. 

Shepard continued, “Briana, you’ve fallen this far: half because of me, half because of your own choices. If you’ve got a grudge, bring it to me.” 

Briana sneered inwardly, ‘Bring it to him? What a joke!‘ 

Briana shot him a mocking look and shot back, “Shepard, I’ve already agreed to the divorce, left with nothing but the clothes on my back, and even promised to help you talk your family into accepting Vivian. “What more do you want from me? Should I be the witness at your wedding, too? I have zero interest in messing with you or Vivian. I just want to get out of your way. 

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18:23 

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“Honestly, I wish you two would just get together and leave me out of it. So let’s be clear: it’s you and Vivian who keep coming after me. You two just won’t leave me alone.” 

Shepard dragged Briana into putting on a show of being a loving couple just to keep Evelyn happy. And she played along with it for Evelyn’s sake. 

Vivian was constantly stirring up drama, never missing a chance to pick a fight with Briana. She was always scheming to put Briana down, flaunting her thing with Shepard, and making sure Briana knew she’d lost. 

Briana thought, ‘Did I do something so terrible to deserve this? Why am I the one who has to put up with all this?‘ 

Shepard’s face was stone cold. He snapped, “You spiked Vivian’s coffee and made her mute, and you still think you’re in the right?” 

“I told you, it wasn’t me,” Briana insisted. 

“Then prove it,” Shepard said coldly. 

Briana bit down so hard on the inside of her lip that she could taste blood in her mouth. She thought, ‘Forget it. He’s never going to believe me, no matter what I say. I might as well keep my mouth shut. 

She went quiet, but her expression was all fierce determination: she wasn’t backing down for anyone. 

Shepard slowly stood up, placing both hands on the desk and leaning forward. “Briana, what I hate most is seeing you like this. Even one more look at you just gets on my nerves,” he said, his eyes flickering with 

annoyance. 

Briana retorted, “Like I actually want to see you?” 

Shepard said, “You’re the one who kept forcing yourself into my life and insisted on marrying me. None of this would’ve happened if you’d just let it go!” 

Briana shot back, “I’ve put up with five years of this crap. Doesn’t that pay off my hopeless crush phase? Shepard, you’re not some big deal, and I’m not desperate for you. 

“Hell, if you want, let’s just march over to the Carter residence and spill the whole truth about the divorce, right here, right now!” 

Shepard narrowed his eyes and said, “What pisses me off even more, Briana, is that mouth of yours: always so damn quick with the comebacks.” 

Briana retorted, “No woman starts out crazy, Shepard. If she ends up losing it, you can bet there’s some asshole guy behind it.” 

Shepard asked, “Are you talking about me?” 

“I’m talking about you!” Briana snapped. 

Shepard snatched up a folder from his desk and hurled it straight at Briana. 

Briana instinctively jerked her head to the side, dodging just in time. The folder hit her hard, its sharp corner scraping just above her collarbone and leaving a thin scratch. Blood started to seep almost immediately. 

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