Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 183

Chapter 183 

Shepard was hell–bent on making sure Eric had nowhere to run, or that he’d end up wishing he was dead. 

68 

“Are you really going to make Grandma bury her own grandson?” Eric shouted. “You think you’re above everyone else, don’t you? No rules, no respect.” 

Shepard replied icily, “You’re annoying. Shut up.” 

The bodyguards immediately got the message and stepped forward, sealing Eric’s mouth shut with duct tape. 

The tape was stuck on so tight that Eric couldn’t even make a muffled sound. 

Shepard didn’t even spare him a glance. 

From the moment Briana appeared, Shepard’s world narrowed down to just her; she was all he could see. 

Not once did his gaze waver. 

Vivian watched the way Shepard looked at Briana, her heart twisting with love, jealousy, and bitter unwillingness. 

Shepard had never looked at her like that. 

Even though he’d given her so much money, care, companionship, and time, whether it was love or not, the truth was painfully clear. 

“Briana, why don’t you get some more rest?” Shepard asked, his voice was soft, with not a trace of his usual coldness. “I’ll deal with these two real quick.” 

“I couldn’t sleep,” Briana replied. 

Shepard paused, surprised. “Why not?” 

“Every time I close my eyes, all I see is Henry,” Briana said softly. “I keep tossing and turning, and he’s all I think about.” 

Shepard pressed his lips together, his voice barely above a whisper. “So what are we supposed to do?” 

Henry was gone, vanished from this world for good. 

‘Is she really going to lose sleep over this forever?‘ Shepard thought. 

Briana murmured, “Yeah, what am I supposed to do? I’ll never see him again.” 

“So what if you can’t see him anymore? Is Henry really that important to you?” Vivian suddenly snapped. “Briana, why does everything always go your way?” 

Her words were sour, every syllable laced with envy. 

Briana was totally unfazed. She asked, “Lucky? How am I lucky?” 

Briana thought, ‘Lost both my parents at ten, had to live under my grandma’s wing 

Uncle Edward took everything, didn’t leave me a single dime. 

“Thought I’d found true love, but my marriage was a complete mess. 

Just when I was finally about to break free, start over, and chase my dreams, the one person who truly loved me died just to 

save me! 

14:55 Fri, Jan 9 G 

Chapter 183 

Briana never thought she was lucky. 

If anything, fate had been nothing but harsh to her. 

10 vouchers 

68 

Vivian glared at her. She said, “Seriously? You’ve been the Lane family’s little princess since you were born. Even after losing your parents, you were set up to marry into the Carter family, living in luxury your whole life. 

“And even after you got married, you still had a catch like Henry, head over heels for you, waiting around, even willing to die just for you. 

And now, Shepard’s back at your side, he’s yours and yours alone. I’m totally beaten. You win. You get everything you ask for: what else do you want?” 

Briana looked at her, saying, “Take everything I have, just give me Henry back.” 

Vivian opened her mouth, but no words came out. 

After a few seconds of silence, Vivian burst out laughing, head thrown back. 

“Shepard, you hear that?” Vivian said. “The only person in Briana’s heart now is Henry, not you. You’re stuck fighting a ghost for the rest of your life, and guess what? You’ll never win. 

“Back when Briana loved you most, you couldn’t care less. Now you’re the one obsessed, but she’s already fallen for someone 

else. 

“Look at you, Shepard. Someone like you doesn’t deserve love. Not ever.” 

Suddenly, Vivian lunged forward, grabbing the edge of Briana’s shirt and yanking it hard. She said, “Briana, promise me you’ll never forgive Shepard, okay? After everything he’s done to you, he’s not worth it. You need to make him suffer, really make him pay.” 

Before she could finish, two bodyguards stepped in and hauled Vivian away. 

Briana’s shirt was left stretched and wrinkled from Vivian’s grip. 

Shepard glanced down, then calmly peeled Vivian’s fingers off Briana’s shirt one by one. 

“I’m not finished. Let me talk.” Vivian shrieked, struggling. “Let me go, Shepard. What, too scared to hear the truth? Still such a coward, can’t even face what’s in your own heart.” 

In no time, Vivian was dragged off, her voice cut off completely. 

Briana glanced at the now–empty entrance, then shifted her gaze to Shepard. 

His expression was unreadable and icy. 

She gave a sarcastic smile and said, “You used to treat Vivian like she was everything, but now you don’t hesitate to cut her off. So, what’s your plan for her, Shepard?” 

“It’s taken care of. Don’t worry about it, Briana,” Shepard replied. 

Briana said, “Yes, she’ll get what she deserves, but it’s ironic. When you loved Vivian, you could elevate her and her family. Now, without your care, she means nothing to you.” 

Shepard said, each word deliberate, “I don’t love Vivian.” 

Briana acted like she hadn’t heard him, just said, “You did the same thing to me. When we were together, you were the perfect boyfriend, always there for me, always thoughtful. But the moment you had eyes only for Vivian, look where that 

left me.” 

14:55 Fri, Jan 9 G 

Chapter 183 

KRA 

“Briana,” Shepard cut in, repeating himself, “I don’t love Vivian.” 

Briana looked up, meeting his gaze. “Then who do you love? Yourself? You’re cold, ruthless, and selfish. You’re heartless. 

Shepard was left speechless. 

He wanted to say so much, but nothing came out. 

It was time he faced his own heart. 

His career was soaring; he was riding high, unstoppable in the business world. 

But when it came to matters of the heart, Shepard’s life was a complete disaster. 

Outside, a car roared up and screeched to a stop right outside the villa. 

Soon, Daniel came in to report, “Mr. Carter, your parents and your Grandma had arrived.” 

The sound of a cane hitting the floor was quick and urgent as Evelyn showed up at the entrance to the living room. 

When she saw Eric lying on the floor, she gasped in shock. 

Richard and Isabelle’s faces went pale at the sight. 

“What happened here?” Evelyn asked, her voice shaking. “He was fine just a moment ago, now look at him.” 

She clutched a handkerchief to her mouth, unable to stand the metallic scent of blood in the air. 

Isabelle asked, “Was this the kidnappers‘ doing? Why isn’t Eric in the hospital getting treated? Why are you just letting him lie there like that?” 

Then Isabelle turned to Briana and asked, “Are you okay? We heard something happened to you, so we rushed over right away.” 

Briana was taken aback. 

‘Who tipped off the Carter family?‘ she wondered. ‘Was it Shepard?‘ 

She shot Shepard a puzzled look. 

But even he looked just as confused. 

‘Why would he let them know at a time like this?‘ Briana thought. 

If they tried to protect Eric, it’d be a huge headache for Shepard to handle him. 

AD 

Comment