Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rowan Vale 51

Chapter 51 

Everyone was ganging up on Shepard, voices coming from all directions. 

“What are you doing? Are you going to get physical now?” a bystander asked. 

“You cheated, and now you think you’re in the right?” another retorted angrily. 

“You ditched your wife for a homewrecker. Karma’s coming for you,” someone added coldly. 

“And you actually want your wife to apologize to the homewrecker?” a voice questioned in disbelief. 

“Honestly, not beating her up is showing mercy,” a harsh comment followed, filled with scorn. 

After tearing into Shepard, the crowd turned their attention to Vivian, who was still lying in bed. 

“Look at her. She’s the textbook definition of a two–faced bitch,” someone sneered. 

“Men just fall for that act every time,” another person remarked cynically. 

“She’s got the nerve to glare at us? We’re calling her out, and she knows it,” a sharp voice retorted. 

The doctors and nurses on their rounds shot Vivian a different look now. 

For a moment, Shepard and Vivian were like cornered rats, exposed and hated by everyone. 

These days, nobody had any patience for scumbags or homewreckers. 

The woman next to Briana spoke up with righteous conviction, “Don’t be scared. We’re on your side.” 

“Thanks,” Briana replied. 

The woman said, “Anytime. I’ve always hated men who ditch their families.” 

Shepard’s gaze cut through the crowd, locking onto Briana. 

Briana gave him a faint smile. 

Her eyes held a hint of challenge. 

She’d already apologized. 

But she never admitted that she was the one who drugged Vivian to silence her. 

Briana shot Shepard a wave. 

At the same time, she mouthed, “Bye.” 

She was leaving. 

Briana turned on her heel and walked away without a backward glance. 

Shepard stared after her, quickly lunging forward, desperate to drag her back. 

But the crowd swarmed around him, trapping him in place. 

He couldn’t move an inch. 

“What do you think you’re doing? Still acting like you did nothing wrong?” someone shouted. 

“Your wife is way prettier than that homewrecker. Seriously, you need to get your eyes checked,” another person chimed in. 

Shepard could only stand there, powerless, as Briana walked away. 

He retreated back into the hospital room and slammed the door behind him. 

The chatter and commotion from outside were shut out. 

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Finally, the world had fallen silent. 

But his expression was still dark and stormy. 

Shepard had gotten tricked by Briana yet again. 

She always seemed to have a surprise up her sleeve for him. 

Vivian lowered her eyes. “Shep, I don’t think I should stay in Belaris… I came back at the worst time. Maybe I should just head back overseas.” 

She was pulling the classic move, pretending to leave so he’d beg her to stay. 

Vivian’s voice was rough, aching. “You told me I could come home. I thought the worst was over. I waited five years, but I couldn’t hold on one more day. So I changed my ticket and came back early. 

“But now, you and Briana are still stuck in that divorce cooling–off period, not even officially separated. My situation is just so awkward, and I really don’t want to keep dealing with all those stares and whispers. Maybe I should just leave.” 

“Leave?” Shepard’s voice rose. “Vivian, it’s never you who should leave.” 

“But I really can’t take getting trashed by everyone.” Vivian’s voice shook as she asked, “Shep, the one who isn’t loved is the real other woman, isn’t it?” 

“You were meant to be Mrs. Carter five years ago,” Shepard said. 

But Briana just wouldn’t give up this title. She kept it going for five whole years. 

“Then, when you can finally marry me, when you can bring me into the Carter family with your head held high, that’s when I’ll come back to you,” Vivian said, her eyes glistening. “No matter how long it takes, I’ll 

wait.” 

Shepard looked at her. “Now that you’re back with me, I’m never letting you leave again.” 

Vivian got out of bed and slowly walked over to Shepard. 

She wrapped her arms around his strong waist and pressed herself against his chest. 

“Shep, every time people call me the homewrecker, I think, maybe I should just make it real. I can’t keep being called that when nothing’s actually happened between us,” Vivian said. 

As she spoke, Vivian lifted her head, her eyes locking onto his thin lips. Her eyes were smoldering, practically daring him to kiss her. 

“I’ve always wanted to be yours, Shep. All of me, for real,” Vivian said, standing on her tiptoes. “So… why not now?” 

She lifted her head, leaning in close, her lips just inches from his. 

“Don’t push me away anymore, Shep. Nothing else matters to me. Only you,” Vivian whispered. 

She closed her eyes, ready for his kiss, taking the first step herself. 

But her lips met nothing but air. 

Disappointed, she opened her eyes and saw Shepard dodging her. 

“Vivian, after everything we’ve been through, we shouldn’t let it all go to waste,” Shepard said, gently pushing her back by the shoulders. “In less than a month, we’ll finally be together, out in the open.” 

“But what about your family…” Vivian hesitated. 

Shepard cut her off. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything.” 

“Why?” Vivian’s eyes were filled with disappointment. “Am I really not enough for you? Or do you just not 

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want me at all… Maybe you don’t love me. Maybe it’s just gratitude because I saved you. Is that all I am to you?” 

Shepard sighed, “Vivian, why are you thinking so much?” 

“You slept with Briana, but you won’t even come near me. How am I supposed to not overthink it?” Vivian’s voice shook with emotion. “She even got to carry your child. What about me? I want to be the one to give you a family.” 

Vivian grabbed Shepard’s sleeve, her voice urgent. “Shep, if I get pregnant, the Carter family will have no choice but to accept me. Why don’t we start trying right now? If it works out…” 

Shepard cut her off again. “Vivian, calm down.” 

Vivian bit her lip, said nothing, and reached up to unbutton her hospital gown. 

The gown was already loose, and she let it slide off her shoulders, moving slowly. 

Her flawless shoulders, the elegant slope of her collarbone, and the perfect curves of her body came into 

view. 

But just as the gown was about to fall, Shepard moved fast, catching it and wrapping it around her again. “There’s no need to rush,” he said, carefully buttoning her hospital gown back up. “I treasure you. That’s why I don’t want things to happen between us so carelessly.” 

Vivian had put herself out there, even started undressing, but it was all for nothing. 

Vivian thought to herself, ‘Guess I’ll have to try a different approach. 

‘Drugging him is way too obvious. He’ll notice right away, and honestly, it’s just not worth the trouble. ‘When men are drunk, their guard is completely down. 

‘I just need to pick a night, get Shepard drunk, and then slip into something sexy and skin–tight… 

‘That should pretty much seal the deal. 

Shepard pulled his hand back and gently tucked her hair behind her ear. “I’m heading to the office. Just get some rest, talk less, drink plenty of water, and take care of your throat.” 

“Okay, Shep. I… I’ll miss you.” Vivian reluctantly walked Shepard out of the hospital room. 

As she watched him walk away, her face turned icy. 

Everyone in the hallway looked at her with nothing but disdain. 

She was unfazed. 

Suddenly, her phone buzzed. 

Vivian opened the unread message and saw it was from Eric. 

[I’ve already figured out the first move to get you married to Shepard.] [Just do what I say and be good. Listen to me and you’ll be fine.] 

Vivian gripped her phone, a slow smile creeping across her face. She replied: [Alright.] 

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