Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 109

Chapter 109 

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Ariana stormed over, grabbed Vivian by the shoulders, and shnd her hard. “Drop the act. Don’t even try to argue, Vivian. 1 know exactly who you are 

“No need for that take nice girl act. I’m not Shepard, so don’t think I’m buying your crap or letting you mess with me as you do with him 

Vivian just let Briana shake her, not even trying to fight back 

Briana said, “I’m gonna spill everything about that fire. I dug up the dirt, and I’m telling you every last detail, right here, right now. 

“You’ve been secretly into Shepard for so long, but he doesn’t even know who you are, You’re just so plain. Nothing stands out about you. In a crowd, he wouldn’t even look your way. 

“But me and him‘ We were crazy about each other. We were theouple everyone wished they could be, and we even had a ring on it. Briana gritted her teeth. 

“You were jealous. You wanted to be someone special, live above everyone else. Then one day, you finally saw your chance. 

“You teamed up with the sports room equipment manager, and when Shepard was the only one picking out gear, you two set the whole thing up and started that fire together. 

“When the fire broke out, you acted like you were just passing by then rushed in without a second thought. All you had to do was drag Shepard out, and boom, you instantly became a hero. 

And yeah, you pulled it off. But you never cared about Shepard safety. You only cared about pulling off your scheme. Vivian, did it ever cross your mind that if you hadn’t saved him, he could’ve died in that fire? 

“How could you do something like that? That was a real person’s life. All these years, enjoying all the attention Shepard gave you. Don’t you feel even a bit guilty? Don’t you have any shame all?” Briana’s voice echoed through the living room. 

Vivian just looked at her, all pitiful and innocent, like she was the victim here. Vivian replied, her voice even raspier than before, “If that’s what you want to believe, then I can’t stop you. 

“If it makes you feel better, fine, let’s say I started that fire. Guess you’ve had a tough time after all these years.” 

Every time Vivian spoke in that raspy tone, it just brought Brian right back to that night of the fire. Whenever Vivian talked to Shepard with that voice, it must’ve dragged him straight back to those memories of the flames. 

When that happened, Shepard would just get even softer with her, eaten up by guilt. Vivian really knew how to play the game. If she had any scars left from that fire, they’d be right there for everyone to see, every single day. 

But it was her voice that got ruined, and every time she opened her mouth, it was like a living, breathing reminder to Shepard of the price Vivian paid to save him. 

Briana yelled, “I’m telling you the facts, and you’re still trying to deny them. Playing innocent, Vivian? Fine. I’ll dig up the proof, and then we’ll see how you try to wriggle out of it. Sooner or later, karma will come for you.” 

Stolen stuff never stuck around. There was no way Vivian got to keep everything she schemed and stole forever. 

“Briana, if you’re dead set on smearing me, what can I even do? Vivian let out a weary sigh. 

Briana squeezed Vivian’s shoulders even harder, her nails biting into Vivian’s skin. Vivian winced, her brows furrowing as she sucked in a sharp breath. 

Let go of me. That hurts. Briana, can’t we just talk? Please, don’t get rough.” Vivian’s eyes grew misty, tears glimmering in them. 

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Chapter 109 

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Briana was getting more and more frustrated. ‘Vivian just kept her mouth shut, not letting a single word slip. All that recording for nothing.” 

Seeing Vivian put on that pitiful act again just made Briana ever more furious. “You call this getting rough? Vivian, women as vicious as you deserve to be cut to pieces.” 

Before Briana could finish her sentence, an iron grip seized her and hauled her back. The scent of that familiar cologne hit 

her nose. 

Briana stumbled backward, her knee banging into the edge of the couch. Pain shot through her leg, and she crumpled to the ground. Meanwhile, Shepard was already shielding Vivian protectively in his arms, making sure she was safe and sound. 

“Are you okay? Did she hurt you?” Shepard asked, his voice full of concern. 

Vivian just shook her head softly, leaning into Shepard’s chest. 

“Let me see,” Shepard said. He carefully moved Vivian’s shirt aside to check her shoulder. The nail marks were plain to see, red and angry against her skin. 

Shepard’s eyes darkened. “Did Briana do this?” 

Vivian replied softly, “Yeah. But it’s really not a big deal. Shep, thank goodness you came just in time. I honestly have no idea. how I could’ve faced Briana all alone.” 

She nestled even closer into Shepard’s chest. She looked so fragile that anyone watching would feel their heart ache for her. 

Shepard gently patted her back, then turned to look at Briana. He asked, “What are you up to now? Since you can’t get the divorce, you’re just going off the rails and picking fights with everyone?” 

Briana shot back, “So, when did you show up? How much did you hear, anyway?” 

“Pretty much everything.” Shepard replied. 

Briana raised an eyebrow, her tone sharp. “Not gonna say anything about that?” 

Briana was digging up the past, talking about that fire from years back with Vivian. Briana wondered, ‘What was going on in Shepard’s mind right now?” 

Shepard said, “Yeah, I do. Briana, how long are you going to keep trying to stir the pot? You say the fire was suspicious right in front of me, then turn around and blame Vivian for all of it. Are you done yet?” 

Briana thought, ‘So, he really heard it all, huh? But he just thinks I’m causing drama, trying to pick a fight. He’s still siding with Vivian, never with me. A chill ran through her heart. 

Sometimes, Briana honestly wished Shepard had died in that fire. Even if she had to go through hell alone, it’d still beat watching him become someone she didn’t know, devoting himself to someone else. 

But when she cooled off, Briana knew deep down she couldn’t stand losing him. Vivian could light the match and not give a damn if Shepard made it out alive. But all Briana wanted was for him to live, and to live happily. 

Briana loved Shepard more than anything. No matter what, she could never stand the thought of him being in danger. She was so determined to get to the bottom of things because she didn’t want him to be kept in the dark. 

The woman he cared for so deeply was really just a snake in disguise. There was no way he’d ever truly be happy with someone like her. Briana couldn’t just hand him over to Vivian. Mivian wasn’t worthy of him at all. 

Vivian said, patting his chest, “It’s okay, Shep, don’t get worked up. Briana’s probably just desperate for some comfort. Honestly, I think she’s got some serious psychological problems. She really ought to see a shrink.” 

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Briana snapped. “You’re the one who’s crazy!” 

Vivian fell silent, just burrowing deeper into Shepard’s arms. Bus she glanced at Briana, she shot her a smug, taunting look. 

She’d known Shepard was there the whole time, so she just let na go off on her, yelling, grabbing, whatever. The more brutal Briana got, the better. 

After all, Shepard would just get all protective and soft for her. Cly foolish women tried to fight woman to woman. The smart ones, they let men handle their battles. 

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