Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rowan Vale 50

Chapter 50 

Shepard warned, “Briana, don’t try to pull any tricks on me.” 

She shrugged. “I promised, didn’t I? What are you still so worried about? Are you really that afraid of me?” 

“Tomorrow morning, you’d better apologize properly,” Shepard said. 

“Alright, I heard you,” Briana replied. “Can I go now?” 

After a long day, she was exhausted and just wanted to rest. 

She’d drift off the moment her head touched the pillow. 

She was in no mood, nor did she have the energy, to get into it with Shepard. 

Briana thought, ‘Being too idle is never a good thing. 

‘Idle minds often turn to thoughts of romance and sentimental fancy. 

‘It’s always wiser to stay busy and occupy my mind with work. 

‘As for an apology? Let’s wait and see. 

‘Once I get some rest, I’ll be ready to put on a real show tomorrow.’ 

Shepard’s expression was unreadable. 

He had a gut feeling there was no way Briana would just give in that easily. 

But she agreed without missing a beat. 

He couldn’t call her out on anything. 

Briana had already turned and walked out of the study. 

She left Shepard staring at her retreating figure. 

She returned to the master bedroom, followed her usual routine, and was soon in bed with her sleep mask 

1. on. 

She acted like Shepard wasn’t even there the whole time. 

Shepard was flipping through an investment book, but couldn’t focus at all. 

He was feeling restless and irritable. 

Briana, on the other hand, was sleeping peacefully. 

Shepard cleared his throat. 

Yet, Briana was sprawled right at the edge of the bed, not moving at all. 

He cleared his throat again. 

Briana still didn’t react at all. 

Just as Shepard was about to clear his throat again, Briana finally said, “If your throat is itchy, go drink some water. If that doesn’t help, pop a couple of throat lozenges.” 

With that, she rolled over and turned her back to him. 

Shepard closed the book with a snap. 

He said, “Briana, you know Vivian inhaled too much smoke trying to save me in that fire, and now…” “Yeah, I know,” Briana cut him off. “She saved you, so you have to devote yourself to her, right? Today I made her lose her voice and crossed your line. So now I have to apologize. That way, you can explain 

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things properly to Vivian.” 

She said everything Shepard was about to say, all in one breath. 

Shepard thought, ‘She nailed it. 

‘If Briana had hurt Vivian in any other way, maybe I would’ve just forgiven her. 

‘But Vivian’s voice is my bottom line and Briana stomped right on it. 

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‘I can’t forgive that. But why do I even feel the need to explain myself to Briana? Do I really have to?‘ Shepard closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. 

He couldn’t believe he actually wanted to tell her that he could forgive her, that he could just let it slide. 

“Briana, there are some things that are absolutely off–limits. Do you understand?” he said. 

There was no response. 

“Briana?” Shepard opened his eyes and turned to look at her. 

Somehow, her sleep mask had slipped off onto the pillow, and she was already fast asleep. 

Her long hair spilled out beneath her, silky and smooth. 

Shepard’s face was thunderous. 

‘She really sleeps like a log,’ he thought. 

In the hospital, Briana was tagging along behind Shepard as they headed to the hospital room. 

He kept glancing back at her. 

“I’m right here,” Briana said. “Relax, I’m not going anywhere.” 

Shepard shot her a look. “Keep up.” 

She was being way too quiet, and it gave Shepard a bad feeling, like something was about to go down. 

“Alright, alright.” Briana jogged a few steps to catch up with Shepard and walked beside him. 

Vivian was having breakfast. 

She was dressed in a hospital gown, looking all soft and fragile. 

When she heard the door open, she looked up, her whole face lighting up with joy. “Shep, you’re here.” 

She immediately asked with concern, “Have you had breakfast? Your stomach is always acting up, so don’t forget to eat on time.” 

Shepard walked over to her, raising an eyebrow. “You can talk again?” 

“Yeah… I can.” Vivian nodded. “It’s still a bit hoarse, but I should be back to normal in a couple of days.” “That’s a relief,” Shepard said. 

“Don’t worry. I’m fine,” Vivian reassured him. 

Vivian only had eyes for Shepard. She didn’t even register Briana standing at the doorway. 

Briana lingered at the doorway, not moving a muscle. 

Watching Shepard and Vivian interact, she was totally indifferent. 

Honestly, she just wanted it to be done soon. 

She had to go to the gallery. 

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Yet, Briana couldn’t help but feel a little excited about what was coming next. 

Her apology was going to be a spectacle. She was genuinely curious to see what kind of expressions Shepard and Vivian would have. 

While Briana was lost in thought, Shepard gave her a cold stare. 

“Why are you standing over there?” Shepard demanded. “Do you even know what you’re supposed to be doing here?” 

“Of course, I know,” Briana replied. 

“Get in here,” Shepard said. 

“Can’t I just say sorry from here?” Briana grumbled. 

Shepard frowned. 

Vivian gently tugged at his sleeve, “Shep, is Briana really here to apologize to me?” 

“I always do what I say,” Shepard replied. 

Vivian hesitated, still unsure. “With her personality, she wouldn’t give in so easily. Is she… up to something else?” 

Shepard had been suspicious himself. 

But for now, nothing seemed off. 

Just then, the doctor came by with a nurse and a few interns, making their rounds. 

The hallway was filled with patients and their families, all rushing back and forth, looking busy and stressed. 

Once she figured it was showtime, Briana cleared her throat and called out, her voice ringing loud and clear. “Vivian. I’m here to say sorry. Hope you can let it go.” 

Her words bounced off the hallway walls. 

Many people turned their heads and stared at her. 

They wondered, ‘What’s happening over there? Is there about to be some drama?‘ 

Briana stayed calm. “You took Shepard from me. He kept you hidden abroad for five years. You were content as the other woman, ignoring the rumors. Even when everyone scorned you as a homewrecker, you still clung to him and kept provoking me.” 

“But…” Briana shifted tone, her voice turning sharp. “I’m still here to apologize. Because if I don’t, Shepard won’t leave me alone. Your pillow talk finally worked. You won. I admit I was wrong, and I’m backing off. Is that enough for you?” 

“Are you and Shepard happy now?” 

Suddenly, people started whispering all around. 

“Is that woman in the hospital room a homewrecker?” one whispered. 

“She’s got no shame,” another remarked coldly. 

“The wife is way hotter,” someone added. “Is that guy blind?” 

“Men love anything, as long as it’s not at home,” a voice concluded with disdain. 

Shepard’s lips pressed into a thin, tight line. 

‘So this is what Briana was up to, he thought. 

Vivian’s face went ghostly pale. “Shep, she’s… making me lose face in front of everyone.” 

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“Briana.” Shepard gritted his teeth, his voice low and dangerous. “You’re asking for it.” 

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Briana stood firm, her tone unwavering. “I apologized, didn’t I? And I did what you asked. Did I say anything wrong? You cheated on me, and she knew exactly what she was getting into. She is a homewrecker.” 

Shepard’s face was menacing as he marched right up to Briana. 

Briana instinctively backed away. 

The onlookers, all riled up and ready for drama, jumped in front of Briana, forming a wall between her and Shepard. 

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