Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rowan Vale 39

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Evelyn and Wrenley got up from the couch, one after the other. Both of them were smiling from ear to ear. 

One could tell they were absolutely thrilled with what they got out of their trip to Carter Estate 

Briana was about to say something, but Shepard beat her to it. He said, ‘Alright, Briana and I will see you both 

out.” 

Briana thought, “Wait, what? He just agreed like that? Seriously? Why? She shot Shepard a look, totally confused. She was still trying to protest, but he just caved so easily. 

Wrenley waved her hand and said, “No need to see us out. The car’s waiting right at the bottom of the steps. It’s just a few steps away.” 

Wrenley walked up to Briana and gently cupped her face. “Briana,” she said, “you lost your parents so young Life hasn’t been easy for you. But you have Shepard by your side. He never left you. Maybe that’s fate’s way of making up for it.” 

Briana couldn’t really bring herself to smile. She just managed a weak, forced grin. 

“Take care of yourself. Everything you deserve will come your way, Wrenley said, her eyes full of warmth. 

Once Evelyn and Wrenley had left, the living room suddenly felt a lot emptier. 

Tiffany rubbed her hands together and said, “Mr. Carter, Mrs. Carter, I’ll head back to the kitchen. 

Shepard just gave a simple nod. 

As soon as everyone left, Briana snapped at Shepard, “Why did you agree to let Tiffany stay? I was still trying to say no, and you just went ahead and nodded.” 

“Why don’t you say it a little louder so Tiffany can hear you?” Shepard shot back. 

Briana leaned in. With a low and tense voice, she said, “Don’t act like you don’t know what it means for Tiffany to stay at Carter Villa.” 

“Of course I do,” Shepard replied. 

“Then why aren’t you trying to get rid of her?” Briana pressed. 

Shepard shot back, “Do you really think Grandma’s that easy to fool?” 

It was pretty obvious what Evelyn was up to; she wanted Tiffany to keep tabs on them as a couple. If they kept pushing back, it would just scream that something fishy was going on, like their whole happy marriage act was just for show. 

But if they acted chill and let Tiffany hang around, Evelyn wouldn’t suspect a thing. So Shepard just played along. 

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Briana froze for a second, then realized what Shepard was getting at. She thought, ‘Shepard is right. If we keep refusing to let Tiffany move in, it’ll just look like we’re hiding something. But what are we supposed to do 

next?‘ 

Shepard rubbed his temples and said, “Let’s just go with it for now. We’ll figure something out later.” With that, he went upstairs and disappeared into the study. 

By the time Shepard got back to the master bedroom, Briana had already set up the couch with bedding and pillows. 

Shepard slouched against the doorframe, arms crossed, a teasing look in his eyes. He asked, “So, you’re taking the couch tonight?” 

Briana rolled her eyes and shot back, “Speak for yourself. You’re the one sleeping on the couch.” 

“Me?” Shepard asked, raising an eyebrow. 

Briana retorted, “Isn’t it obvious? Aren’t you supposed to be the gentleman and let the lady have the bed?” 

Shepard gave the couch a skeptical look and asked, “You really think that thing can fit me?” 

He was 6’2“. There was no way he could stretch out on that couch without his legs hanging off the end. Besides, he was the pampered Mr. Carter. He’d never had to put up with something so uncomfortable in his life. 

Briana shot Shepard a look, then eyed the tiny couch in silence. She then shrugged and said, “Alright then, guess you’ll just have to sleep on the floor.” 

Shepard’s mouth twitched. He grumbled inwardly, ‘Seriously? From the couch straight to the floor? Could this get any worse?‘ He straightened up and strolled over to Briana, taking his sweet time. 

He then leaned in close and locked eyes with her. He said, “I’m taking the bed. You can crash wherever you 

want.” 

With that, he walked past her, loosening his tie, unbuttoning his shirt, and undoing his belt. His movements were smooth and natural, like he’d done it a thousand times before. 

Briana knew exactly what he was up to: he was heading for a shower. 

Back then, she would trail after him, picking up his clothes as he dropped them and putting them in the laundry basket, like a maid. But she genuinely enjoyed it, finding real happiness in looking after her husband. 

Now, though, she couldn’t care less. 

Shepard kept tossing his clothes aside as he walked, and by the time he reached the bathroom door, his dress pants dropped to the floor. 

Briana quickly looked away. 

It was like Shepard had eyes in the back of his head: he spun around and locked eyes with her, his gaze sharp and unwavering. He sneered, “Quit pretending. Like you haven’t seen enough already.” 

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Chapter 39 

Briana turned her gaze to the balcony, deliberately looking away. She said, “Nothing special” 

55 vouchers 

Shepard’s face darkened. He’d spent years at the gym. He had rock–hard abs and chiseled biceps; he was basically a walking fitness ad. He thought, ‘Seriously? She says I’m not hot with a body like this?‘ 

Shepard slammed the bathroom door shut with a bang. 

Briana pursed her lips, glancing from the floor to the couch. She thought, ‘Forget it. I’ll just crash on the couch. A little discomfort is nothing compared to sharing a bed with Shepard and pretending we’re close when we’re really just strangers. 

She lay down on the couch, adjusted the pillow, curled up on her side, and closed her eyes. She tossed and turned, but sleep just wouldn’t come. Finally, she opened her eyes again. 

Shepard’s clothes were scattered all over the floor, along with a bunch of random stuff. 

The place was a total mess. 

Briana couldn’t stand seeing things so messy. She’d always tidy up right away, so the master bedroom was always spotless. But now, she wasn’t about to play the free maid anymore. She told herself to ignore the mess. 

Briana lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling. When she heard Shepard’s footsteps coming out of the bathroom, she quickly shut her eyes. She could hear him shuffling around, his slippers squelching with every step. 

She thought, “The floor must be a disaster by now. I can’t take this anymore. Does this guy even know what clean means?‘ She yanked the blanket up, pulling it over most of her head in frustration. 

Shepard glanced over at her. He was just standing there in nothing but a towel, taking his time and not bothering to get dressed, but Briana didn’t even look his way. 

He thought, ‘Where’s that girl who used to be all over me, even scheming to drug me just to get in my bed?‘ 

Shepard grabbed a random set of pajamas from the closet. He’d just slipped them on when he heard a knock 

at the door. 

Tiffany called out, “Mr. Carter, Mrs. Carter, are you two asleep yet?” 

Briana shot up from the couch. She thought, ‘Crap! Tiffany is here to check on us.’ 

Shepard stepped out of the walk–in closet. 

Tiffany kept rapping on the door. She called out, “Mr. Carter? Mrs. Carter? I made some hot chocolate for you. It’ll help you sleep better.” 

Briana thought, ‘Looks like she won’t give up until she barges in. She blurted out, “We are not asleep. Just a sec, I need to get dressed.” 

The words had barely left her mouth when she regretted them. She thought, ‘Seriously? What am I even saying?‘ 

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Briana could hear the smile in Tiffany’s voice as she said, “Mrs. Carter, why not let Mr. Carter get the door for you?” 

Briana fumbled for words, “Right, sure.” She shot to her feet, clutching the blanket and pillow from the couch, and scrambled toward the walk–in closet in a total panic. 

No time to clean up, she just tossed everything onto the floor, yanked the closet door shut, then hurried over to the bed and dove under the covers. 

Shepard just stood there, quietly watching her. 

Briana snapped, “What are you standing there for? Go open the door.” 

Shepard raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. 

He opened the door, and there was Tiffany, holding two mugs of hot chocolate. 

“Sorry to bother you, Mr. Carter. Just dropping off the hot chocolate, then I’ll be out of your hair,” Tiffany said, coming right in. 

Briana was lying in bed, only her eyes peeking out from under the covers. She mumbled, “Thanks, Tiffany. You really didn’t have to.” 

“It’s my pleasure, Mrs. Carter,” Tiffany replied. She set the hot chocolate down on the nightstand, her eyes giving the room a quick once–over, not missing a thing. 

AD