Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 222

Chapter 222 

“But Shepard, what if something really happens to us? What if this is the end for us? Is there anything you regret not doing something you always wished you could’ve done?” Briana asked. 

She couldn’t shake the unease and uncertainty gnawing at her. 

Especially with the car surrounded by darkness. 

Shepard held Briana tightly, his mind racing as he mulled it over again and again. 

“My biggest regret is that I never truly loved you the way you deserved, a whole, beautiful love,” Shepard said. “And that’s something I can never fix. 

“Once the damage is done, it leaves a mark. Even if it heals, the scars and cracks never really go away” 

Other than me, is there anything else you wish you’d done?” Briana asked. 

Shepard replied instantly, “No.” 

He’d always had his life and career figured out, every step planned with precision. He always knew exactly what he wanted and what he needed to do. 

Love was the one thing he failed Briana in. 

He wanted to say that if there was another chance, he’d let her break his heart, just so he could love her the deserved. 

But she only wanted to be with Henry if there was another chance. 

C 

way 

she 

“Don’t be scared, Briana,” Shepard murmured, gently stroking her soft hair. “You’re and make it back to Belaris. 

to get out of here safe and sound, 

“Are you tired? Try to get some sleep. I’ll stay right here with you.” 

Briana nodded, about to answer, when her stomach suddenly growled. 

There wasn’t much food left in the car. 

She was hungry, but she didn’t say anything. 

“You…” Shepard chuckled softly, his tone full of fondness. 

With a gentle, indulgent smile, he reached for the last bag of chips and tore it open. 

“Here, eat first,” he said. “Then try to get some rest.” 

“But what about you?” Briana asked. 

She was starving, and he probably was, too. 

“I can hold out a little longer,” Shepard replied. “It’s fine.” 

* 

They’d only come out for just a one–night camping trip, so they hadn’t brought much food or supplies. 

If no one found them and rescued them by tomorrow, they didn’t even want to imagine what could happen. 

Briana stared at the bag of chips, her eyes starting to well up. 

Chapter 222 

It’s times like these you see who really cares she thought. 

“I don’t even like chips” Shepard said when she didn’t move. “You know shai ka have taver been ne thing- 

But that was before. 

Now, that bag of chips was their lifeline. 

Briana took a deep breath and looked up at him. 

Seeing her red–rimmed eyes, Shepard was visibly taken aback. 

“Shepard, if there was only one chance for survival, would you give it to me?” Briana asked softly. 

Shepard tried to keep his tone light. “We’re both getting out of here, okay? Don’t even think like that 

But Briana just stared at him, unwavering. “I’m serious. Answer ine 

After a long, quiet moment, Shepard finally spoke, his voice low. “Briana, you have two lives on you.” 

He was all alone. 

As for which one he’d choose, the answer was obvious. 

Shepard was so calm because, deep down, he’d already decided. No matter what, Briana’s safety would always come first. 

Even if it meant sacrificing himself. 

Briana pressed, “What if I wasn’t carrying a baby?” 

“It’d still be you, Briana,” Shepard replied gently. “You’re the one I’d choose, no matter what.” 

Briana couldn’t get a word out. She bit her lip, fighting back tears. 

Briana sniffled, trying to hold back her tears, and started eating the chips. 

The crunching sounded especially loud in the quiet car. 

But every bite felt hard to swallow. 

She was starving, she needed food, but the chips tasted like cardboard in her mouth, each bite heavier than the last. 

She knew she’d never forget these chips for the rest of her life. 

Darkness swallowed everything outside. 

It was so dark that they couldn’t even see anything outside. 

The wind howled outside, and soon, rain started to pour down. 

They were stuck in the car, and there was nowhere else to go. 

Briana snuggled up in Shepard’s arms, eyes closed. 

It had been so long since she’d felt this safe, held close to his chest. 

Hungry, tired, and anxious, Briana kept drifting between sleep and wakefulness, never really getting any rest. 

She’d doze off for a bit, then wake up again, her nerves never letting her rest easy. 

Chaquer 20 

Shepard never let her side, not even for a moment, billing her close the white the 

Then the sound of noi voirs broke the migh the silence. 

Ariana mungki 

y 

What’s going on?‘ 

We can go home now,” Shepard replied. 

Briana froze for a moment, and then slowly opened her eyes. 

Co home? she echoed, disbelief in her voice. 

She sat up and looked out the window. 

She saw several lights suddenly appear in the distance, all shifting and swaying. 

As she looked closer, she realized the lights were headlamps strapped to people’s heads. 

She thought, ‘So… Are we really being rescued?‘ 

“Shepard, we… we…” Briana stammered, her voice trembling with excitement. “Someone’s finally here to rescue us!” 

Her eyes sparkled with joy as she spoke. 

Shepard nodded. “That’s right, Briana. I told you, we’d make it out alive.” 

“You called it!” Briana burst out, her voice bubbling with excitement. 

Shepard glanced at her, a small grin playing on his lips. 

“Mr. Carter!” someone called out. 

3 

James’s voice got closer as he jogged up to the car window and knocked. 

Shepard rolled down the window. 

“The helicopter’s almost here,” James said. “Just hang in there a little longer, Mr. Carter and Mrs. Carter. By the way, I’ve got some instant food. Would you like some?” 

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Briana immediately replied, “Yes, of course. Shepard hasn’t had a single bite all day.” 

James handed a large bag through the window. 

Briana took it, fished out the instant food, and looked over the instructions. 

S 

She’d never tried this kind before, so she carefully followed the steps one by one. 

Once she got it ready, she handed it to Shepard. “Here, try it. It might not taste great, but at least it’ll keep you going.” 

“Sure,” Shepard replied. 

Their fingers touched briefly as he took it from her. 

That was when she noticed that his hand was ice–cold, no warmth at all. 

Between the cold up here, the rain, and not having eaten, there was no way he could stay warm. 

Briana’s nose stung, tears threatening to spill. 

With no idea if rescue would ever come. Shepard had handed her all the food they fellen 

It was like hell given her every last bit of hope to 

It was impossible for her not to be touched. 

“It’s delicious,” Shepard said, looking up at her with the spoon in his hand. Briana, nothing’s ever tasted better than this 

Briana couldn’t help but laugh. 

But as she laughed, her eyes shimmered with tears. 

She blinked quickly, trying to hide them. 

Shepard scooped up a spoonful of food and gently brought it to Briana’s lips. 

They took turns with each bite, sharing the food it was all gone. 

Half an hour later, the helicopter came, circling overhead before slowly dropping down. 

The rotors whipped up a massive gust of wind. 

As soon as the helicopter landed, Shepard grabbed Briana’s hand, helped her up, and made sure she got inside first. Only after she was safely in did he climb aboard himself. 

Briana felt as if everything that had happened 

Now, she was finally awake. 

was just a 

By the time they got back to Evergreen Estate, it was already three in the morning. 

The living room was packed with people. 

The Carter family, Wrenley, Charles, and Olivia were all there. 

All their family and close friends. 

When Shepard and Briana finally appeared safe and sound, Evelyn and Wrenley were the first to get teary–eyed, tears streaming down their faces. 

“Thank goodness you’re both alright,” Evelyn said, her voice shaky. “Seriously, you two nearly scared me to death!” 

Wrenley got up, leaning on her cane, and walked over to Briana. 

田 

AD