Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 65

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Her words hit Edward right where it hurt. “Briana, you,” Edward stammered, completely at a loss for words. 

Briana kept going, her words smooth and sharp. “It won’t be long before the Fletcher Group’s steps right over the Lane Group and rockets to the top. Edward, when that day comes, all you’ll be able to do is watch and stew in jealousy.” 

“The Lane family.” Edward started, but Briana hung up before he could finish. 

She’d said her piece, and that was enough for her. The only reason she’d picked up was to check on Wrenley. Since Wrenley still didn’t know anything, Briana felt a little more at ease. 

For the past few years, the Lane and Fletcher Groups had always been rivals. That was because both families relied on the Carter Group as their biggest backer. 

If Shepard handed a profitable project to the Fletcher family, the Lane family would lose out. And if Shepard gave a project to the Lane family, the Fletcher family would get nothing. 

All in all, the Fletcher family was Shepard’s favorite. He loved Vivian, so he naturally favored her family. 

With the Fletcher family thriving, Vivian had the confidence and say in her own home. As for the Lane family, Shepard only helped them out of obligation, just throwing them a few scraps here and there. 

Now that Briana was no longer Mrs. Carter, Shepard wouldn’t lift a finger to help the Lane family. Edward’s hair would be turning white from all the stress. 

The Fletcher and Lane families used to be neck and neck, about the same size and strength. But soon the tables were about to turn. Edward was busy laughing at her, but he’d better start worrying about his own problems. 

***** 

Briana put her phone away and spun around, smacking right into a solid, warm chest. She yelped, giving her nose a quick rub. 

Shepard stood there, one hand in his pocket, his gaze shadowed and intense as he watched her. 

“Seriously, why are you creeping around behind me like some kind of ghost?” Briana grumbled. 

Shepard looked down at her, his eyes dark. “So, you really want to announce to the whole world that you’re getting divorced?” 

“That’s right. And it’s not that I’m about to get divorced. It’s already done,” Briana snapped. 

As soon as the divorce certificate landed in her hands, she’d cut ties with Shepard for good. She hoped they’d never have anything to do with each other again. 

Shepard’s tone was cool. “Thinking about posting a divorce announcement?” 

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“Absolutely,” Briana replied right away. “Why didn’t I think of that? That way, people will stop pestering me about it. I won’t have to keep answering the same questions. They’ll just see my post and know what’s up.” 

She wondered which social media platform would be best for dropping the news. She wondered, ‘Should I post it on my Instagram? Or should I go with Twitter? Or Facebook?‘ 

Just as she was lost in thought, she suddenly felt a hand clamp down on her shoulder. Shepard reached out, grabbed her shoulder, and yanked her to face him. “You seriously want to post a divorce announcement?” 

Briana said, “Why wouldn’t I think about it? Everyone knows I’ve been betrayed and humiliated. They all assume I’ll stay silent and keep being your wife. But the truth is, I gave up on this marriage a long time ago.” 

She still had her dignity and refused to keep being the one who swallowed her pride and endured it all. She wanted everyone to see that she, Briana, could love deeply and let go gracefully. 

Shepard’s gaze grew more intense, and his grip on her shoulder tightened. Briana winced, her brows knitting in pain. 

“What are you doing?” she demanded. “Let go.” 

Shepard just stared at her, his eyes shadowy and impossible to read. He’d totally underestimated her. She was dead serious about the divorce. 

Before, Shepard just rolled his eyes whenever Briana talked about starting over. He thought she was just stirring up drama, trying to get his attention or mess with Vivian. 

But right now, for the first time, Shepard truly believed that she was serious. Briana was done for good, and she was really moving on. 

‘Why? Was it really just because Vivian came back? This just wasn’t Briana’s style,‘ Shepard thought. 

It wasn’t like Briana had only just learned about Vivian. She used to humble herself, begging Shepard to forget about Vivian and actually work on their marriage together. 

“Hey, Shepard, why are you giving me that look?” Briana stepped back, putting some space between them. 

“You were the one who told me to post a divorce announcement. Now that I’m actually doing it, you’re not so keen on the idea?” 

He asked, “So, what are you going to say in the announcement?” 

“I’ll just lay it all out. You cheated on me during our marriage, and I filed for divorce and left with nothing. From now on, we go our separate ways, never crossing paths again. Good luck to you, and here’s to my freedom.” 

‘Wait, she was the one who wanted the divorce? So she really dumped me?‘ Shepard thought. 

Shepard’s face darkened. “You really know how to spin things in your favor.” 

“I’m not lying. I was the one who asked for the divorce, and I wrote up the agreement myself,” Briana shot back. “Five years of marriage, and I never did anything to let you down. My conscience is clear. I’ve got 

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She wondered, ‘But when Shepard looked back on their five years of marriage, what really crossed his mind? 

‘Would he have felt even a hint of guilt? Probably not. He had no heart. How could a man without a heart have a conscience?‘ 

“Whatever, I’ll just post it on my Instagram,” Briana muttered. “Someone’s bound to screenshot it and spread it all over the internet anyway.” 

She was already mentally drafting the announcement, figuring out what to write. She was completely oblivious to Shepard’s expression, which was turning more and more stormy by the second. 

He now felt that the divorce was him doing Briana a favor, not the other way around. She wanted out even more than he did, practically itching to leave. Shepard couldn’t accept that. 

A woman who’d spent seventeen years orbiting his world was suddenly turning on her heel, leaving with her dignity untouched, not a shred of regret in sight. 

Shepard’s temples throbbed as he spat out. “No, you can’t post.” 

Briana fired back instantly. “Why?” 

“No reason,” Shepard snapped. 

“Why should I listen to you? You don’t get to control me anymore,” Briana shot back. “It’s my right to post whatever I want. And what you said-” 

She jabbed her finger hard into Shepard’s chest. “Doesn’t count.” 

She held her chin high, her eyes steady, and her demeanor strong, paying no attention to Shepard at all. When she had loved him, he was her entire world. But now that she no longer loved him, he meant nothing 

to her. 

Shepard reached out, about to grab her wrist. She snatched her hand back, eyeing the spot she’d poked in his chest, and shot him a mischievous grin. 

“We shouldn’t be touching at all. Ex–husband, show some respect,” Briana said coldly. 

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Briana hurried back to the operating room door. The surgery had been going on for almost three hours, and there was still no sign of it wrapping up. 

They kept waiting and waiting until finally, the “In Surgery” light went out. The doctor came out, looking exhausted, and took off his mask. 

“She’s made it through the most dangerous part for now,” the doctor said. “Next, we’ll move her to the ICU and keep monitoring her until she’s stable enough for a regular room.” 

Richard asked, “So, when will she wake up?” 

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“We can’t say for sure,” the doctor replied. This time, it looked like Evelyn might not pull through. 

AD