Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 199

Chapter 199 

Briana looked to either side. 

She realized she and Shepard had spent the night together in the same bed. 

They’d actually cuddled up like this all night! 

Briana froze. 

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and Daniel’s voice came through. “Mrs. Carter, is everything okay? I thought I heard you scream. Is there a problem? Do you need me to come in?” 

“No, really, it’s fine,” Briana said quickly. “Nothing’s wrong. Please don’t come in.” 

“Alright, Mrs. Carter,” Daniel replied. 

Briana blinked, then sprang out of bed. 

Shepard’s sigh drifted from behind her. 

He drawled, “So you’re just going to bail after spending the night together?” 

Briana was stunned. “Huh?” 

Shepard said, “Last night, even though I was burning up with a fever, I still hauled you off the couch and onto the bed.” 

Briana just stared at him, speechless. 

Shepard went on, “You slept like a rock, treating me like a human pillow, and didn’t wake up till morning. Me? I was clinging to the edge all night, barely got any sleep.” 

He added, “You kept mumbling about being cold, pressing their icy hands and feet against me, insisting I keep them warm.” 

He said, “And then you said I was so comfy, with winter coming up, I could totally be their personal heater.” 

Briana swallowed hard, then turned stiffly to face Shepard. “Quit making stuff up.” 

“I’m just telling it like it is,” Shepard said. 

“I swear, I would never do any of those things you just described,” Briana shot back. 

Shepard raised an eyebrow. “I recorded the whole thing. Want to listen? Since I couldn’t sleep, I figured I’d save some evidence, just for kicks.” 

Briana instantly clammed up, not saying a word. 

‘He actually recorded it?‘ Briana was totally floored. 

“Come on, Briana, just listen to it,” Shepard said as he grabbed his phone. “You seriously have no clue how you sound when you’re sleep–talking.” 

Briana quickly shook her head. “Nope, you go ahead and listen to it yourself. I–I need to go freshen up!” 

She bolted straight into the bathroom, slammed the door shut, and even made sure to lock it behind her. 

Shepard’s grin just got wider. 

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Chapter 199 

WITA 

There wasn’t any recording, not even close. 

He totally made that up. 

He knew she’d never actually listen, so he just wanted to tease her and see her squirm. 

Briana always seemed so cool and decisive on the outside, but underneath it all, she was gentle and a bit innocent. 

Shepard let out a couple of rough coughs, his throat feeling scratchy and dry. 

He could really feel he was on the mend. 

His head was clear, his throat didn’t hurt, the fever had broken, and he felt like he could take on the world. 

If things kept improving like this, he’d probably get out of here today. 

But once he got out of the hospital, it meant he and Briana would have to go their separate ways. 

Shepard tossed off the covers and walked over to the window again. 

He opened it like he’d done a hundred times before. 

A blast of cold air rushed in. 

In the bathroom, Briana stood in front of the mirror, staring at her flushed face. 

Honestly, she hadn’t had a single good night’s sleep in ages. 

She kept dreaming about Henry. 

Sometimes, Shepard would show up in her dreams too. 

Every time she woke up, she was alone in bed, and she just felt so empty inside. 

But last night, Briana had the most peaceful, sweetest sleep she’d had in ages. 

‘Maybe it’s only when I’m in Shepard’s arms that I can truly relax,’ she thought to herself. 

Being held by the one you love is the warmest, safest haven in the world. 

“What am I even doing?” Briana muttered, shaking her head hard. “How can I just pretend everything’s fine and start craving Shepard’s arms again?” 

“Did I really forget how he hurt me, ignored me, and gave me the silent treatment? Briana, get a grip!” 

She kept trying to push last night’s comfort out of her mind and started washing up, 

Shepard kept glancing over at the bathroom. 

He was constantly keeping an eye on her. 

He had to make sure she didn’t catch him letting the cold air in. 

It was too childish. 

And it was way too embarrassing. 

But even if he could keep Briana from finding out, there was no hiding it from everyone else. 

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Chapter 199 

The wind was howling, getting stronger by the second, and the curtains were flapping wildly. 

“Shepard, why didn’t you tell us you were in the hospital? Whoa, what are you doing?” Isabelle’s voice came from the doorway as she pushed the door open, still grumbling. 

When she looked up, she saw Shepard standing right by the window. 

Forget Shepard, even Isabelle could feel the icy draft all the way from the doorway. 

Isabelle was stunned. “You’re sick, burning up with a fever and coughing, and you’re still letting all this cold air in?” 

Shepard hadn’t expected her to drop by so suddenly. 

Totally unfazed, he replied, “I was just about to have a smoke.” 

“You’re still smoking?” Isabelle frowned. “Are you trying to mess yourself up beyond recognition?” 

She rushed over, shut the window tight, and gently touched Shepard’s hand. 

“Your hands are ice–cold from that draft,” she said, her tone both worried and reproachful. “You really are hopeless without Briana around, can’t take care of yourself at all.” 

Shepard’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Mom?” 

She sighed, “If you still think of me as your mother, then take care of yourself and stop making me worry. I know you’re hurting, you lost a wife who was truly one in a million. 

“You, honestly, no matter how talented or successful you are, what’s the point if you couldn’t even hold on to someone like her?” 

Her tone was thick with regret. 

He stayed silent, just listening to her lecture. 

She continued, “Besides, if you run yourself ragged, how are you supposed to be there for Briana? Even if you two aren’t married anymore, you grew up together, you’re practically family. 

“As long as you’re still kicking, there’s always a chance to turn things around. $ure, maybe you and Briana are done for now, but who knows what the future holds?” 

“No one can really say what’s coming next. As long as you keep living, anything could happen Oh, that reminds me,” Isabelle suddenly said, “has Briana come by while you’ve been sick?” 

Before Shepard could answer, she jumped in, “I mean, I doubt she’d show up in person, but she must’ve at least sent a message or called, right?” 

Shepard pressed his lips together. “Mom, Briana’s here.” 

Isabelle blinked, not quite getting it at first. 

‘Here? What does he mean? Where exactly is she?‘ Wait, is she actually here? In the room?‘ Isabelle thought, her mind racing. 

Briana called out, “Hi, Mrs. Carter.” 

Right on cue, Briana’s voice echoed through the room. 

Isabelle looked even more stunned, totally taken aback, and turned toward the source of the voice. 

It was Briana, for real. 

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Chapter 199 

Am I hallucinating or what? Isabelle thought. 

Her gaze flicked back and forth between Shepard and Briana, sizing them both up. 

Wow, she’s actually here!‘ Isabelle thought, her mind spinning. 

“Briana,” Isabelle stammered, “When did you get here?” 

“Yesterday,” Briana replied. 

“Wait, what?‘ Isabelle was totally stunned. ‘So Briana actually spent the night here?‘ 

For a moment, Isabelle’s mind just shut down, she couldn’t think at all. 

‘Did I seriously barge in at the worst possible moment?‘ Isabelle thought, mentally facepalming. 

67 

‘If I’d just left them alone, maybe they could’ve patched things up and gotten all lovey–dovey again!‘ she thought, a wave of regret washing over her. 

Briana walked over and said softly, “Mrs. Carter, now that you’re here, I can rest assured and it’s time for me to leave. 

“Shepard’s fever has broken, and as long as he keeps up with his medication and IV drips, he’s mostly recovered, so there shouldn’t be any issues.” 

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