Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 175

Chapter 175 

“Briana, Shepard shouted, dashed over in a heartbeat, swept her off her feet, and cradled her tightly in his 

arm 

His eyes brimmed with concern as he hurried toward the curb. 

“Hurry, get her to the nearest hospital,” Shepard said. “Nothing can happen to her.” 

Olivia said, “Stay with Briana. I’ll stay here and see if I can find Henry” 

“Okay,” Shepard replied. 

Shepard’s figure quickly disappeared into the darkness. 

Olivia shook her head and let out a sigh. “Why did everything have to turn out this way?” she said. 

She watched as Shepard vanished into the darkness, then looked back at the crowded shore. 

‘God, please let Henry be safe, Olivia thought. 

At the hospital, Briana was rushed into the ER. Shepard waited anxiously outside. 

He stood there, ramrod straight, hands at his sides, but his face was etched with exhaustion and despair. 

Half an hour later, the ER doors swung open. 

Shepard rushed forward, his voice tight with worry. He asked, “How is she?” 

“She’s alright,” the doctor said. “She just swallowed some water and got a fright. Let her rest and keep warm. But since she’s pregnant, she should stay in the hospital for a couple of days so we can keep an eye on her.” 

“Okay,” Shepard replied. 

Briana was moved to a hospital room. 

Shepard kept watch over her by her bedside. 

The first light of dawn was breaking through the darkness. 

The long night was finally coming to an end. 

A new day was about to begin. 

Between Shepard and Briana, the cards were about to be reshuffled. 

In this marriage, Briana had always been the one on the losing side, the one with no power. But the moment she decided to get a divorce, she finally took control of their relationship. 

14:11 Thu, Jan 8 

Chapter 175 

Now, the fate of their relationship was completely in her hands. 

Shepard had no choice but to go along with whatever she decided. 

All he could do was support her decision and try to save a little face for himself. 

自 

Watching Briana sleep, Shepard sat by her bedside, brought her hand to his lips, and kissed her over and over, unable to stop himself. 

Her hand was icy to the touch, her fingers delicate and slender. 

He could only get away with kissing her like this because she was fast asleep. 

If she were awake, she’d definitely pull her hand away in a heartbeat. 

“Briana,” Shepard said, his voice rough. “Where do we go from here? 

“Even though I’ve decided to let you go, I still can’t shake this feeling inside. If you’d just give me another chance, maybe we could start over. 

“But you’ll go to Henry, won’t you? Maybe that’s how it should be.” 

He closed his eyes, pressing her hand to his cheek, savoring the touch. 

Overnight, dark stubble had sprouted across his jaw. 

Briana felt the prickly stubble against her skin. 

Her brows twitched, her eyes moved slightly. 

Slowly, her lashes began to quiver. 

Briana slowly came to, murmuring Henry’s name. 

She said, “Don’t hurt him. Please, don’t let him fall. 

“He’ll die. 

“Just run, Henry. Forget about me.” 

Suddenly, Briana’s eyes flew open and she sat up in bed. 

Briana’s eyes were unfocused as she looked around, totally confused; she had no idea where she was. 

It took a while before she finally snapped back to reality and looked down at the hospital gown on her body. 

The place was warm and bright, the sharp scent of disinfectant hung in the air, and for once, she actually felt safe. 

This was nothing like the pitch–black woods or the bone–chilling cold of the river. 

Thu, JanO 

Chapter 175 

“Briana,” Shepard said, his voice low. “You’re awake.” 

Briana stared at Shepard, still a little stunned. She asked, “Why are you here?” 

35 vouchers. 

Before he could say anything, she blurted out, “Where’s Henry? Is he in surgery? Are they trying to save him?” 

There was a spark of hope in her 

eyes. 

‘If they’ve gotten him out and he’s getting treated, then there’s still a chance he’ll survive,‘ she thought desperately. 

Shepard didn’t answer. 

“Please, just tell me,” Briana said, grabbing his sleeve and shaking his arm desperately. “Say something.” 

Shepard hesitated, then said quietly, “We still haven’t found Henry.” 

Briana’s hand suddenly slipped from his sleeve, her grip falling away. 

The spark in her eyes faded. 

She thought, her heart sinking, ‘I can’t believe they still haven’t found Henry in the river. 

‘How long has it been already?‘ 

Briana looked at his watch. 

It was four in the morning. 

So many hours had gone by. Even if they found Henry now, they’d probably just be pulling out a corpse. 

Briana wobbled unsteadily, her body swaying as the shock hit her. 

She slumped weakly back onto the bed, and seeing this, Shepard caught her just in time, gently pulling her into his arms. 

“He’s gone; there’s no way he survived,” Briana muttered, tears streaming down her face, and she didn’t even notice. “He was so badly hurt, the water was freezing, and he’s been down there for hours. How could anyone live through that? 

“He gave up his life to save me. How am I supposed to go on living after that?” 

As she spoke, Briana opened her eyes and looked at Shepard. 

“Why did you save me?” she asked, her voice hollow. “You should’ve just let me drown down there, with Henry, so we could die together, at the same time, in the same place.” 

Shepard’s eyes flashed with emotion. 

He thought, feeling a stab of jealousy and helplessness, ‘Was she really willing to die for Henry? Had her love for him gone that far? 

14:11 Thu, Jan B 

Chapter 175 

And what about me? Did our seventeen years together mean nothing to her? 

“All I saw was a sack,” Shepard said quietly. “I didn’t know who was inside until I opened it. I was selfish, I just kept hoping it was you. Maybe my prayers were answered, because when I untied the rope, it really was your 

“Henry went in just a few minutes before me, just a few minutes. He was so close, right there near me, Briana said, her voice trembling with desperation. 

“Briana, I swear, I didn’t see him at all,” Shepard said, his voice heavy with regret. 

Briana couldn’t come to terms with it. “Why? Why?” 

She was about to lose it. 

“Just hang in there a little longer,” Shepard said, reassuring her. “It won’t be long now; they’ll find Henry soon.” 

“Will he even be alive if they find him?” Briana asked, her voice shaking with fear. 

Shepard couldn’t answer her. 

No one could. 

After what felt like forever, Shepard finally said, his voice thick with worry, “No matter what happens to Henry, you have to keep going, Briana. Don’t even think about doing something stupid, okay?” 

“What if,” Briana said, locking eyes with him, her voice trembling. “What if I already can’t help it?” 

“You have to have Henry’s child,” Shepard said softly, his voice trembling. “You need to give him a future, carry on his legacy.” 

Briana could only manage a bitter smile and lowered her head. 

Shepard’s voice came again, soft but resolute. He said, “I’ll divorce you, so you can live your life with Henry’s child. I’ll give you my blessing; you two deserve a future.” 

Briana froze, her eyes locking onto Shepard’s once more. 

She stared into his deep, dark eyes, as if she could see right through to his soul. 

Shepard met her gaze head–on, not flinching for a second. He said, “If Henry makes it, you three can be reunited as a family.” 

Briana couldn’t believe her ears. 

She thought, completely stunned, ‘Was that really Shepard talking? 

‘He’s always been so selfish and arrogant, only ever thinking about himself, never caring about anyone else. And now, he’s actually learned how to let go and give his blessing?‘ 

After all, the only reason he held onto this marriage was just to keep her caged. 

1171 Thu, Jan 8 

Chapter 175 

He couldn’t bear the idea of her breaking free. 

He’d never let her run off and find happiness with someone else. 

田