Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 67

Chapter 67 

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Shepard stubbed out his cigarette. “Okay.” He was feeling down, and coming to Vivian’s place was his way to 

relax. 

Vivian was gentle, considerate, and always knew what he needed. She never argued with him, always spoke softly, and went along with him. 

‘She wasn’t like Briana at all,’ Shepard thought. 

“Wait for me,” Vivian said. She got up to grab a bottle of red wine. Her face was lit up with a smile that never faded. 

‘Here it is, my chance. Tonight, at my place, we’ll have a few drinks and get Shepard drunk. Once he was tipsy, everything would be so much easier,‘ she thought. 

Vivian brought over the red wine and two glasses. As she poured, the strap of her nightgown slipped off her shoulder, showing off her pale skin and delicate curves. In the dim light, she looked hazy and enchanting. 

“Shep,” Vivian called softly. She handed him a glass. Just as Vivian was about to raise her glass for a toast, Shepard snatched it and knocked it back in one gulp. 

Vivian brought over the red wine and two glasses. As she poured, the strap of her nightgown slipped off her shoulder, showing off her pale skin and delicate curves. In the dim light, she looked hazy and enchanting. 

Vivian was thrilled. This was exactly what she wanted. But Vivian still said, “Shep, a little wine is nice, but getting drunk isn’t good for you. Go easy, don’t overdo it.” 

“This isn’t enough to get me drunk,” Shepard replied. 

Vivian poured him another glass. Shepard just kept downing one after another, silent, just drinking. Like he was downing beers at a bar. 

Vivian just took a couple of sips, sitting right next to Shepard, idly swirling her wine glass. Her nightgown was cut so low that her deep cleavage was on full display. 

But Shepard didn’t even look her way. All he could think about was Briana. ‘Damn that stubborn Briana,‘ he thought to himself. 

They polished off two bottles of red wine in no time. “Go grab some more,” Shepard said, tilting his chin toward the kitchen. “Vivian, make it quick.” 

“Only got beer left,” Vivian replied. 

“Anything alcoholic works.” Shepard shrugged. 

Vivian feigned concern as she tried to talk him out of it. “Shep, you’ve already had red wine, and now you’re switching to beer.” 

Shepard cut her off, voice firm and no–nonsense. “Just go get it.” 

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He was already feeling the buzz. His eyes were unfocused, his usual sharpness gone. He sprawled out on the couch, his tie all askew. After putting away another couple of dozen beers, Shepard was completely wasted. 

He collapsed on the armrest, ripped off his tie, and popped open a bunch of shirt buttons. His toned chest was on full display, abs faintly visible through his half–unbuttoned shirt. 

Vivian leaned in, most of her body pressed against his chest. “Shep, you’re drunk,” she teased. 

“Not drunk,” he insisted, gripping the beer can. “I’m clear–headed.” 

“You never drink this much. What’s eating at you tonight?” Vivian asked. 

Shepard shook his head. “Nothing’s bothering me. I just feel like drinking.” 

Vivian pressed. “Is it about us? Is the Carter family putting pressure on you? Or did Briana say something that threw a wrench in your plans?” 

Shepard only caught the name Briana. He let out a cold laugh and crushed the beer can in his hand. The can crumpled, and the leftover beer sprayed out, spilling all over his shirt and slacks. 

Vivian gasped and quickly grabbed some tissues to wipe him down. 

But Shepard didn’t care. His voice was low and cold. “What could Briana possibly do to mess up my plans? Does she even have that kind of power? Would I really get drunk over her? Could she really get to me? As if.” 

With that, he tossed the crushed can into the air. It arched through the air and landed on the floor. There were already a dozen or so beer cans scattered around. 

“She was married to me for five years, and I was annoyed by her the whole time. Did she think being the perfect Mrs. Carter would make me appreciate her? How foolish. 

“She shamelessly insisted on marrying me. I told her straight up I wanted out of the engagement, but she just wouldn’t let go. Everyone in Belaris knows she threw herself at me. I never had any feelings for her,” he snapped. 

Shepard’s temple throbbed with anger. His eyes burned with hatred and frustration. ‘I actually feel this way about Briana,‘ Shepard thought. 

“And now, she’s the one who’s all free and easy. What does she even take me for? What am I to her?” Shepard yelled, his voice rising. 

He got more and more worked up, finally staggering to his feet from the couch. His body swayed, his steps unsteady. 

“She gets to love me when she wants, and when she’s done, she just turns her back and leaves? Now Briana’s the one holding all the cards? Ridiculous,” Shepard yelled. 

With nowhere to vent his fury, Shepard lashed out and kicked a nearby knick–knack, sending it flying across 

the room. 

Vivian flinched, startled. “Shep, calm down.” 

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“I’m calm, alright,” Shepard barked, hands on his hips, his shirt hanging wide open. “Who does Briana think she is, saying she was the one who wanted the divorce first? 

“And acting like she wanted out more than me? I was the one who kicked her to the curb. I was the one who didn’t want her. 

“She’s got it all twisted. What’s she even so smug about, huh?” he snapped, voice trembling with anger. 

Shepard, boiling over, bent down and swept everything off the coffee table, sending it all crashing to the floor. He was fuming. 

Seventeen years, and Briana just threw it all away like it meant nothing. He hadn’t even called her out yet for getting rid of their baby without telling him. 

She used to be so eager to have his child, but when she finally got pregnant, she just went and got rid of it, all on her own, never even telling him. 

Shepard took a deep breath, the veins on his arms standing out, looking quite frightening. He almost forgot that when she had a miscarriage, she decided to live alone. ‘She didn’t even want the child. How could she still have feelings for me,’ he wondered. 

Shepard shut his eyes, his chest heaving hard. Just then, a warm, gentle body pressed up against him from behind. Vivian slipped her arms around his waist from behind. She pressed her cheek against his back. 

“Don’t be mad, Shep. You’ve got me, and you always will. I’m always here for you. I won’t ever leave you. 

“I hate seeing you like this. All this smoking and drinking is really bad for you,” Vivian murmured softly. 

Vivian gently soothed Shepard’s anger. “You’re really drunk. Let me help you to bed, alright? Just stay here tonight.” 

Shepard’s anger over Briana surprised Vivian. Logically, Briana shouldn’t affect him this way. Indifference and disdain were his proper responses. 

Vivian wasn’t thinking about any of that right now. With Shepard drunk, her odds of ending up in bed with him just shot up. 

Shepard slowly turned around, looking down at Vivian. Her robe was already lying on the couch, and the strap of her nightgown was barely clinging to her shoulder, like it might fall off at any moment. 

Vivian’s gaze was utterly captivating, drawing Shepard in with every glance. She was alluring, tender, and her eyes shimmered with deep affection. 

“Shep, no matter what happens, no matter what life throws at us, we’ll always have each other,” she whispered. 

She melted into his embrace. Shepard wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.