Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 213

Chapter 213 

It felt like if Shepard loosened his grip, Briana would just disappear. 

He thought, ‘Anyway, tonight’s in the bag. 

“Tomorrow night… I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. 

He’d just take things one step at a time. 

This kind of quiet togetherness wasn’t new to Briana. 

Back when they were head over heels for each other, this was how they spent their time. 

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They could talk about anything, or just sit in silence. Just being together was enough, and it always felt perfect. 

“Things aren’t what they used to be,‘ she thought. 

After everything they’d been through, they couldn’t get that feeling back again. 

Shepard wasn’t that green anymore. 

And Briana wasn’t ruled by love anymore. 

They were both almost thirty now. 

“I’ll cook for you tonight,” Shepard suddenly said, breaking the silence. “What do you want to eat?” 

Briana lowered her eyes. “You know how to cook?” 

“I can learn,” he replied. 

“I don’t want to be your guinea pig,” she shot back. 

Shepard just smiled, not offended at all. “Fair enough. I’ll practice a few times first, make sure it actually tastes good before I serve it to you.” 

“With everything you’ve got going on, you still want to cook?” Briana asked. 

“I’d be happy to do anything for you,” Shepard replied. 

Briana gave a couple of sarcastic laughs. 

Honestly, it was already a miracle she was even talking to him. 

Back when he used to freeze her out, no matter how much she talked, he’d just sit there stone–faced and never respond. 

‘Honestly, compared to him, I’m still way too much of a softie, Briana thought. 

Chapter 213 

The car pulled into Evergreen Estate. 

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“Home again,” Shepard said, pulling to a stop and unbuckling his seatbelt. “Come on, let’s get out.” 

He’d already started thinking of this place as home. 

“You’re not heading back to Carter Estate?” Briana asked. “That place is so glitzy and comfortable, way nicer than here.” 

“Wherever you are, that’s where I feel most at home,” Shepard replied. 

Anyway, wherever Briana was, that was exactly where he wanted to be. 

Briana teased, “So, you wanna be a live–in son–in–law?” 

“Why not?” Shepard replied instantly, not missing a beat. “As long as you say yes, I’m in.” 

Briana gave a dismissive snort and hopped out of the car. 

Briana had barely taken a few steps when she heard the sound of a car approaching behind her. 

She turned around. 

A car was pulling in through the gates. 

The license plate looked familiar. 

“Uncle Edward’s here,” Briana said. “Looks like tonight’s going to be lively.” 

Edward got out from the driver’s seat, followed by Diana and Sophia, who stepped out one after another. 

Briana thought, ‘Wow, the whole family’s here. 

‘Looks like they’re really desperate now. 

‘They thought they had it all locked down, like everything was already theirs, but now it’s about to slip right through their fingers… 

‘Bet they’ve been losing sleep over this, tossing and turning every night! 

Briana’s mind drifted to Wrenley again. 

Wrenley had shown up at Evergreen Estate without warning, probably because Edward had pushed her into it. 

Edward was trying to get Wrenley to talk Briana into something about Lane Group business. 

But Wrenley was caught between both sides, totally torn. 

So she just decided to keep her mouth shut. 

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Chapter 213 

Briana started worrying about Wrenley again. 

She thought, ‘Maybe I should just invite Grandma to live with me. 

‘Otherwise, what if Uncle Edward keeps giving her a hard time?‘ 

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Edward was clearly not himself. His brow was furrowed, and worry was etched all over his face. As he got out and spotted Shepard, he seemed caught off guard. 

But he quickly forced a smile. “Mr. Carter, you’re here, too? What a coincidence.” 

Edward was clearly uneasy about the way things were now with Briana. 

Sure, Briana used to be Mrs. Carter, but Edward knew Shepard was all about Vivian back then. 

But now, Vivian had totally lost it. 

These days, Shepard was completely wrapped up in Briana. 

Whatever she wanted, he’d make it happen. 

He showered her with unconditional affection. 

So Edward couldn’t afford to get on her bad side now. 

Edward thought, ‘Time to be flexible. 

‘If being tough doesn’t work, I’ll just have to play nice! 

“Yeah, I’m here,” Shepard replied. “And from now on, I’ll always be here.” 

He didn’t have to pay Edward any mind, but he wanted to assert his presence. 

Briana was his wife. 

No one could mess with her, not even a little. 

Not even himself. 

Edward nodded enthusiastically. “Absolutely, you and Briana are thick as thieves. As her uncle, seeing her this happy really makes me proud.” 

“That’s right,” Diana added, her smile gentle and full of warmth. “Now that Briana’s expecting, it’s such a blessing. 

We should pick a day to visit her parents‘ graves and share the good news. I just know they’d be happy up there.” 

Shepard arched his brow. 

He thought, ‘Hold on, does the whole Lane family already know Briana’s pregnant? 

Chapter 213 

‘Who spilled the beans? 

‘Could it be Charles?‘ 

He mulled it over. ‘yeah, it has to be him.‘ 

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“I didn’t go around telling anyone,” Shepard quickly clarified, wanting to make sure Briana knew he wasn’t the one who spilled the beans. “Briana, I’m over the moon about this, but I’d never say anything without your okay…” 

Before he could finish, Briana cut him off. “I know. It was Grandma who told them.” 

“Wrenley?” Shepard repeated, sounding genuinely surprised. 

Edward rubbed his hands together eagerly. “Yeah. Mom’s been piling up all sorts of tonics and supplements for Briana. She even cleared out every last bit of herbs from the storage just for her. 

“If that’s not enough, I’ll go buy the best imported stuff and have it sent right over.” 

He made it sound like they were super close. 

Now he was all about cozying up, grinning and groveling like never before. 

Briana thought, ‘People are just so self–serving. 

‘They kiss up to the strong and trample the weak. Always bully those who can’t fight back, but grovel in front of anyone tougher than them.‘ 

“What brings you here?” Briana said flatly. “Your whole family isn’t welcome in this house.” 

Edward’s smile froze for a second, but he bounced right back. “Oh, Briana, you know, all that stuff before was just a bit of misunderstanding between us.” 

“Misunderstanding?” Briana replied, her voice cool. 

“Yeah,” Edward nodded. “I’ve been looking after Lane Group for you and Charles all these years. But after you got married, your mind was. elsewhere, not really on the business. 

“And you know Charles, business isn’t really his thing. So I had to pick up the slack.” 

“Plus,” Edward said, tugging Sophia over, “I brought Sophia back to give you and Charles a hand. I’m getting old, and you young people get along and work together better anyway.” 

Briana shot Sophia a look. 

Briana gave a small, knowing smile. 

“Oh, really?” Briana said, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. “My dear cousin.” 

Sophia had always strutted around Briana with her nose in the air, acting like she was the queen and everyone else was beneath her. 

Chapter 213 

She had never been this meek before. 

When Sophia didn’t respond, Edward nudged her, urging, “Come on, say something.” 

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He thought, “The whole family’s future is up in the air, and she still doesn’t know when to humble herself!‘ 

Sophia clenched her teeth, but managed a smile. “Yeah, Briana, if you ever need anything, just call me. We’re cousins, right? We grew up together, slept in the same bed, and shared all our secrets.” 

She reached out, trying to take Briana’s hand. 

Briana shot her a look that stopped her cold. 

Briana’s eyes were cold with contempt and loathing. 

Sophia’s hand stopped mid–air, awkward and rejected. 

“Are you finished?” Briana said coolly. “If that’s all, you know where the door is.” 

She flat–out told them to leave. 

Edward’s smile faltered. “Briana, come on, we’re family. No need to act like strangers. You’re way too straightforward, you know? That attitude won’t get you far in the business world, trust me…” 

Shepard cut in, his tone icy and protective, “Are you trying to teach my wife what to do?” 

With just that one line, Shepard shut Edward down completely. He was left standing there, totally speechless. 

AD