Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 164

Chapter 164 

Vivian trembled all over, staring at him in shock and disbelief. “Shep, are you really going to toss me into the flarnes?” 

“Wasn’t that exactly what you did to me?” Shepard replied. “I’m just doing to you what you did to me. Why are you acting so surprised?” 

“I saved you, Shep. I risked my life in the flames for you,” Vivian cried out. 

Shepard gave her a taunting, cruel smile. “So, does that mean I should save you now?” 

Vivian could see the murderous intent in 

He wanted her dead. 

his expression. 

Vivian was scared out of her wits, and she had no clue how to save herself. 

She never thought she’d walk into a nightmare like this when she came here. 

Now, even if she screamed for help, no one would come. She was utterly alone and completely at Shepard’s mercy. 

“Vivian, there are plenty of ways to make you suffer,” Shepard said, his voice as ruthless as a demon returned from hell. “Just wait and suffer. Take your time.” 

“Was it just because I tried to get close to you-” Vivian stammered. 

“Enough!” Shepard snapped, cutting her off. “Vivian, are you sure that’s the only thing you did?” 

“Yes,” Vivian nodded, her voice trembling. “That’s all I did.” 

Shepard stood up and approached her with slow, deliberate steps. 

He loomed over her, looking down from above. 

Then his gaze settled 

on her still–flat belly. 

“You say you’re carrying my child,” Shepard said coldly, his eyes narrowing. “Are you really sure this kid is mine?” 

Vivian nodded. “Yes, Shep, it’s yours. I’m carrying your flesh and blood!” 

She grabbed onto this hope like a lifeline, her words tumbling out in desperation. “For our baby, Shep, please, give me a chance. You don’t want your child to be born without a mom, do you? 

“Shep, I’ll give you children. I’ll do anything for you. I know I was wrong before. I just wanted to get close to you. But now, all I want is to be with you.” 

Shepard didn’t trust a single word out of her mouth anymore. 

He gave Vivian à careless kick with his foot. “Lie down.” 

Vivian had no idea what he was about to do. Uncertain and afraid, she hesitated for a few seconds, but finally obeyed, lying on her back on the floor. 

Shepard suddenly stomped toward her belly. 

Vivian hunched over protectively, both hands shielding her stomach. 

“Lie down,” he repeated coldly, his tone even harsher. 

Chapter 164 

Vivian pleaded, her voice shaking. liep 

Do you want me to say it a third time?” Shepard threatened. 

Vivian didn’t dare move a muscle. 

Shepard placed his foot on her belly. 

But he didn’t press down. 

“Let me ask you,” Shepard arched a brow, his gaze sharp. “That night, I was drunk. Then what happened? What did you do 

Tve already told you, Shep. You were wasted, not really yourself, and we ended up together that night,” Vivian replied. 

Shepard narrowed his eyes. “Still sticking to your story, even now?” 

Vivian clenched her jaw. “That’s what really happened!” 

She didn’t believe for a second that Shepard could figure out the truth about the baby’s father. 

As long as she kept denying it, he’d never be sure. 

Eric wasn’t dumb enough to confess, either. 

She just had to survive this crisis first. 

If she could just escape Carter Estate, Vivian thought she’d bolt the second she got the chance. 

Belaris wasn’t safe for her anymore. 

If she stuck around, all she’d get was the worst kind of payback Shepard could dish out. 

Vivian’s only option now was getting the hell out of here. 

“Even now, you still refuse to believe you had sex with me when you were drunk,” Vivian said, locking eyes with him. “You just can’t handle the fact that you betrayed Briana with your own body, can you? 

Vivian said, “If that’s what you want, Shep. If it helps you smooth things over with Briana, I’ll say it. 

“I’ll tell both of you the baby isn’t yours, that nothing happened between us that night, that I was just pretending to be pregnant. Is that what you want to hear?” 

Shepard didn’t answer. Instead, he dug his foot in, pressing down with a bit more force. 

Vivian felt the crushing weight immediately. 

If Shepard put just a bit more force, the baby would be gone in a heartbeat. 

Vivian didn’t dare move, afraid that any wrong move would set Shepard off. But inside, she was scared out of her mind. 

She started to shake. 

“Even if this kid is mine, I still wouldn’t want it,” Shepard muttered under his breath. “For all I know, it might not even be 

mine.” 

He didn’t remember a single thing from that night. 

All he had was Vivian’s word for it. There was no way for him to verify any of it. 

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ས་བས་་ 

“If it’s not yours, then whose could it be, Shep? There’s no one else but you!” Vivian blurted out 

“Weren’t you just with Eric before you showed up here? Isn’t that right?” Shepard shot back. 

Vivian avoided his eyes, stammering. “I… I…” 

“Oh, Eric’s not getting off easy either,” Shepard sneered. “But to me, he’s just a mutt. I can deal with him whenever I want. Let me take care of you first, and then it’s his turn.” 

Shepard never considered Eric worth his attention. 

Then, Shepard’s smile grew even more twisted, ” good? 

Vivian, tell me. How do you think I should make this baby disappear for 

“Should I just crush it under my foot right now, or maybe be a little gentler and let you take some pills to end it? 

“Vivian, you could actually keep this baby if you just come clean and tell me the truth.” 

But getting Vivian to spill the truth was like pulling teeth. She’d sooner die than confess, unless the evidence was shoved right under her nose. 

But there was no way to know for sure immediately. 

She had no choice but to own up to arson because Sam showed up. 

“It’s your kid, Shep! Why can’t you just believe me? Why do you have to doubt me every damn time…” Vivian cried out. “Go ahead, just finish me off. Kill me if that’s what you want. 

“At least then you’ll finally get your revenge. In your eyes, I’m nothing but a monster anyway.” 

Shepard stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly drew his foot back and put it down on the 

carpet. 

Vivian’s heart leapt. ‘Did he just change his mind?‘ Vivian thought. 

“It’s much more satisfying to make you suffer slowly,” Shepard sneered. “Vivian, there’s plenty of time left in your life. Don’t be in such a hurry.” 

Vivian shook her head, wanting to say something, but Shepard had already turned away, heading back to the couch and sitting down with cold indifference. 

“Someone, take her away,” Shepard ordered. “Watch her closely. Don’t let her even dream of running.” 

He knew perfectly well Vivian was already thinking about making a break for it. 

There was no way he’d ever let her get away. 

The bodyguards lifted Vivian, dragging her away. 

Vivian’s eyes stayed locked on Shepard the whole time. 

She was finally sure that Shepard had never loved her, not even for a moment. 

If he ever truly loved, he would at least spare her even a single glance. 

All he ever wanted was her softness and to repay the so–called debt of gratitude she’d made up. 

The living room fell silent again. There was still blood on the carpet. 

Daniel stepped in carefully. “Mr. Carter, should I have someone clean this up?” 

10:52 Wed, Jan 7 

Chapter 164 

“Yes.” Shepard replied. “Make sure there’s not a trace left. I don’t want her to see it if she comes back. 

“Yes, sir.” 

“Where is she right now?” Shepard asked. “Is she at the gallery or the office?” 

Daniel replied, “Mrs. Carter is at the gallery right now.” 

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