Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 193

Chapter 193 

Soon, her hand froze for a moment; she must’ve found something. Her face lit up with joy as she fished something out of the trash can and shoved it straight into her mouth. 

Even through the screen, Briana could practically smell the sour, rancid stench. 

But the woman treated it like a treasure, clutching a half–eaten bun and cramming it into her mouth in a few bites, barely chewing at all. 

It was obvious she was starving. 

After that, she dug through the trash again, but this time, she came up empty–handed. 

Disappointed, she left and headed for another trash bin. 

The video ended there; the last thing on screen was her lonely silhouette fading into the distance. 

“You done watching?” Olivia asked. “Did you notice anything?” 

Briana shook her head. 

Olivia was speechless. “Did you even pay attention?” 

“I didn’t even blink the whole time,” Briana replied. “You showed it to me, do you really think I’d just brush it off?” 

“Seriously, you didn’t recognize who that woman was?” Olivia pressed. 

Briana froze for a second. “Wait, I actually know her?” 

“Know her? You know her inside out. Just thinking about her makes your blood boil. She ruined your relationship, wrecked your marriage, and she’s one of the people responsible for Henry’s death,” Olivia said. 

With Olivia laying it out so bluntly, Briana finally connected the dots. 

She was genuinely shocked. “No way, that’s Vivian?” 

“Yeah,” Olivia nodded. “She’s gone completely mad. Every day, she keeps telling everyone she’s carrying a baby, but someone took it from her. She keeps asking if anyone’s seen her kid, always saying she’s gotta find them. 

“The Fletcher family doesn’t bother with her anymore. They’re in deep trouble themselves, barely surviving. Back then, the Fletcher family was on top because of her. Now, thanks to her, they’ve hit rock bottom. 

“Anyway, Vivian’s just a homeless woman now, wandering the streets out of her mind. Nobody wants to go near her, and she’s always yelling about looking for her kid.” 

This was how it all ended for Vivian. 

She cared so much about her image, always chasing status and money, but in the end, she fell all the way to the bottom. 

Olivia dragged over a little stool and plopped down next to Briana. 

“I can’t tell if she’s actually lost her mind or just putting on an act,” Olivia muttered. “Honestly, I hope she’s just faking it, which means she’s really suffering inside. 

“If she’s truly gone crazy and can’t remember a thing, what’s the point? That’s no fun at all!” 

Briana stayed silent. 

14:57 Fri, Jan 9 G 

Chapter 193 

“What’s up?” Olivia asked, watching her. “Briana, aren’t you happy? Doesn’t seeing this make you feel better? 

“They got what was coming to them.” Briana said softly. “But honestly, I just feel worse for Henry 

No matter how bad things get for them, it won’t bring Henry back. 

Olivia’s voice grew quiet, too. “Yeah, I dreamed about Henry last night. The three of us were just hanging out together on the track at Aetherton University. Those days were amazing. But now? Nothing’s the same anymore.” 

But Olivia quickly shook off her sadness. “Briana, try not to be too upset. You have to think about your baby now.” 

“Right now, this baby is the only thing keeping me going,” Briana said softly. 

“And don’t forget the gallery,” Olivia chimed in. “That’s what you love most.” 

Briana smiled, “Yeah, you’re right. There’s still so much to look forward to in my life.” 

“That’s the attitude,” Olivia grinned, “I’m ready to be the godmother, so you better take good care of my future godson!” 

“You got it,” Briana said. 

“But,” Olivia glanced around to make sure no one was listening, then lowered her voice. “Does the baby’s dad know?” 

Briana shook her head. “From the very beginning, he’s always believed the baby was Henry’s.” 

“Are you going to keep it a secret forever?” Olivia asked. 

“Yeah,” Briana replied. 

“That’s fine,” Olivia said after a moment. “He doesn’t deserve it, not in any way, shape, or form.” 

‘Yeah, Briana thought, ‘Shepard hurt me more than anyone ever could. The wounds he left run way too deep. 

‘I’m never going back to him. Not after everything. 

“So, how’s the divorce going?” Olivia kept gossiping. “Shepard hasn’t tried to pull any stunts, has he?” 

“No, but he’s throwing a ton of cash at me,” Briana replied. 

“Isn’t that great?” Olivia said. “Once you’re divorced, you’ll be loaded, you could totally make it onto the rich list!” 

Briana was about to say something, but Olivia jumped in before she could. “Don’t even start with that ‘money doesn’t matter‘ stuff, or ‘I won’t spend much. 

“Spend it like crazy. If you don’t, stash it away for your kid. Don’t be dumb, take what’s yours. 

“If you don’t take it, and one day Shepard gets married again, all that cash is going straight to some other woman. Wouldn’t that drive you nuts? 

“If you can’t get the guy, at least get the money. And if you can’t spend it all, just donate it, do some good in the world, rack up some karma, right?” 

“Anyway, if Shepard’s handing it over, just take it,” Olivia said, dead serious. “Briana, you hear me?” 

She was genuinely worried Briana would end up with nothing, not the man, not the money. 

“What did I just walk in on? What are you two chatting about?” Leonard chimed in from the doorway. 

Leonard’s voice suddenly came from the doorway. 

Chapter 193 

He was rocking a suit, hands behind his back as he sauntered in, a laid–back smile on his face. 

“Hey, Leonard!” Olivia immediately put on her brightest smile. “You’re at the gallery today, too?” 

Leonard grinned, “I just had a feeling you’d be here, so I came over.” 

“Oh, I totally sensed you’d show up at the gallery, so I came, too. Leonard, we’re totally in sync,” Olivia said, her sparkling. 

Olivia walked over and linked arms with Leonard, swaying side to side and acting all cute and playful. 

Leonard reached out and tapped her nose playfully. 

eyes 

“Briana’s painting something. Come over and see if you can give us some tips?” Olivia said. “Honestly, I have no clue what it’s supposed to be.” 

Leonard took a look at Briana’s unfinished painting. 

“What’s the theme?” he asked. 

“Beneath the Waves,” Briana replied. 

“There’s the biggest art exhibition in the country next month,” Leonard said. “So hurry up and finish your painting, I’ll take it with me.” 

“My painting? I–I’m not famous at all, and I don’t have any well–known works. All the artists there are masters like you. I’d just be making a fool of myself,” Briana said, feeling a little insecure. 

Leonard burst out laughing. “You’re my last student. How could you not be known? Everyone in the art world knows about you. Besides, maybe someone will really appreciate your painting, or you’ll even find a mentor or a true fan there. 

“Briana, getting started is always tough. Don’t be nervous, just believe in yourself. Bring one painting this time, next time bring two, then three. The more you show, the more fans you’ll get.” 

“As you build up your work and experience, you’ll become a rising star in the art world,” Leonard said warmly. “I believe in you, there’s no way you’ll go unnoticed!” 

Leonard waved his hand with a flourish, his words full of confidence. 

“Totally!” Olivia jumped in. “Briana, the day you hit it big, you’d better promise me a signed autograph.” 

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