Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rowan Vale 11

“No,” Briana replied coolly. 

“Hand it over,” Shepard insisted. 

“Shepard, Jerry checked every single clause. I’m not taking the three million or the car, and you’ve already signed. What else do you need to look at?” Briana said, deliberately trying to get under his skin. “What, are you having second thoughts about the divorce?” 

Shepard definitely wanted out, but his gut told him something was off. He wanted to go over the agreement one more time, but Briana just wouldn’t give it to him. 

“I’m not saying it a third time,” he said, voice low. “Give me the agreement.” 

Briana wasn’t about to hand it over, and the two of them just stood there, staring each other down, until Vivian stepped in. 

Vivian walked over to Shepard and gently slipped her arm through his. “Shep, the agreement’s fine,” she said softly. “Why not let Briana go? She seems to have something urgent.” 

Then Vivian turned to Briana. “I guess Shep still feels that, after everything you two have been through, it wouldn’t be right for you to leave empty–handed. 

“Even if it’s not written in the agreement, you two can always sort out the assets privately. There’s no need to lay it all out so clearly.” 

Vivian was the one freaking out the most about the divorce not going through. So when Briana asked if Shepard was having second thoughts about the divorce, Vivian’s heart did a flip. 

Five years ago, Vivian was just a breath away from becoming Shepard’s wife, but Briana refused to step aside, and all Vivian’s dreams went up in smoke. 

Now, five years later, Briana was finally out of the picture, and what Vivian wanted was finally within her grasp. No way Vivian was letting anything screw this up now. 

Vivian gave her a gentle smile. “Briana, you’re an incredible woman. You’ll find happiness. Divorce is just a fresh start for you.” 

“Yeah,” Briana replied. “Historically, every strong woman who made something of herself either got divorced or ended up a widow.” 

Shepard’s mouth twitched. 

Vivian said, “Can’t wait to see your transformation. Thanks for looking after Shep all these years. From now on, I’ll be the one by his side.” 

Vivian sure knew how to put on a show, but Briana didn’t have the energy to argue with her, especially over a guy Briana had already given up on. Briana thought, ‘Let Vivian have him. Men aren’t exactly in short supply.’ 

She strode right past Shepard and made a beeline out of the CEO’s office. 

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13:06 Thu, 18 Dec TAG. 

Chapter 11 

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James was waiting outside, and when he saw Briana come out, he visibly relaxed. ‘Wife versus mistress is a guaranteed shitshow. Sparks fly, and all hell breaks loose. It’s just standard drama,‘ he thought. 

But thankfully, James hadn’t heard any shouting. ‘It was peaceful. Amazingly, actually peaceful, he mused. 

Briana pressed the elevator button, but footsteps echoed behind her. “Briana, let me walk you to the elevator,” Vivian called out, catching up to her. 

Briana glanced at Vivian and then went back to watching the elevator numbers change. 

“I know you probably have issues with me, and may even hate me,” Vivian said. “But Shep and I really do love each other.” 

Briana didn’t say a word, so Vivian continued, “Honestly, Briana, I never did anything to hurt you. You and Shep were engaged because the elders set it up. You were just kids and didn’t know what love was. But Shep and I fell for each other, for real. 

“I love him so much that when the fire broke out, I rushed in without hesitation to save him, even if it meant risking my life. I could die, but he had to make it out. Then I got hurt, and he looked after me wholeheartedly. We—” 

Briana had enough and cut Vivian off, “If you’re here to tell me about your epic romance with Shepard, spare me.” 

Vivian insisted, “What I’m saying is, Briana, I love Shep more than you ever did.” 

“I see.” Briana nodded. “Congrats, then. Hope you two stay together forever and pop out a whole brood of kids.” 

The elevator doors opened, and Briana walked in without once looking Vivian in the eye. ‘Who does Vivian think she is, acting all high and mighty with me?‘ Briana thought. 

‘Even at my lowest, I’m still from a top family, and I’m the one Shepard married fair and square. And Vivian? Even if she finally gets her way, she’ll always be the other woman,‘ Briana scoffed in her mind. 

After leaving Carter Group, Briana headed back to the Evergreen Estate. Charles was sprawled out on the balcony, hands behind his head, a toothpick between his lips. He looked completely relaxed, like some young lord from the old days. 

“Hey, my favorite sister, you’re back,” Charles called out. “So, did you score anything today? Was it efficient?” 

“Are you being sarcastic?” Briana shot back. 

“I’m just looking out for you,” Charles said. “Who else cares enough to ask?” 

Briana ignored him, went to pour herself a huge glass of water, and chugged it down. ‘Couldn’t even get a glass of water out of Shepard. He’s such a piece of work, she complained inwardly. 

“If it’s hopeless, just let it go,” Charles said and winked. “Just hit Shepard up for a divorce payout. That way, we’d be set for life.” 

Then he eagerly asked, “Briana, how much money do you have on you right now?” 

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Briana rolled her eyes. “So that’s why you’re actually sticking around at home. You ran out of cash to go live it up, huh?” 

“You got it. I’m dead broke, just waiting for my loaded little sister to come to my rescue,” Charles said, grinning. 

“Don’t look at me. I’m tapped out, too,” Briana replied. 

“Oh, come on,” Charles scoffed, not believing her for a second. “Shepard never gave you a credit card or anything? Five years together and you didn’t stash away a little secret fund?” 

Truth was, she really didn’t have any. 

All the spending at the Carter Estate was handled by Daniel, and Briana never saw a dime herself. If she wanted something, all she had to do was ask Daniel. 

Seeing Briana’s expression, Charles practically jumped off the tatami. “Seriously? Don’t tell me you’re naive enough to walk away penniless and end up with the empty title ‘Mrs. Carter. 

‘What woman doesn’t know cash is the real safety net? How am I supposed to talk sense into you? You’re just walking around with that lovesick brain stuck on your shoulders.” 

“Better a lovesick brain than the blockhead you’ve got on yours,” Briana fired back. 

“Let’s not throw stones, Briana. Seriously, you really don’t have a dime?” Charles pressed. 

Briana nodded. “Nope, not a cent.” 

“What about the divorce payout?” Charles pressed. 

“I’m walking away with nothing,” Briana replied. 

Charles practically lunged at her, looking like he was about to eat her alive. 

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