Chapter 136
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Olivia shrugged. “Henry and I have been trying to dig up proof that Vivian started the fire. I know exactly what she’s been up
to.”
“Did you find anything?” Briana asked.
“Yeah,” Olivia replied. “There’s definitely something fishy between Vivian and Eric. It’s all messy and suspicious.
Olivia told Briana everything she saw at the hospital today, leaving nothing out.
Briana frowned, half asking, half talking to herself. “Vivian’s pregnant, so why is Eric secretly watching her?”
“I can’t figure it out either. Unless.” Olivia paused, covering her mouth. “Can I even say this out loud?”
Henry pulled out a chair and sat down. “It’s just the three of us. Go ahead.”
Olivia lowered her voice, speaking slowly. “The baby is Eric’s.”
As soon as she said it, the room fell into a deathly silence.
Olivia was always bold and never afraid to speak her mind, so seeing her actually hesitate was pretty wild.
That theory was enough to blow anyone’s mind.
Olivia continued, “There’s no way Vivian can avoid responsibility for that fire. She was definitely the mastermind, but we just haven’t found enough evidence to pin it on her yet.
“And with Eric getting so close to Vivian, what kind of person do you think he is? A guy and a girl alone together in a room.”
“Shepard probably has a plan, right? He’s still married to you, and he doesn’t want a divorce anytime soon. At a time like this, Vivian getting pregnant is the last thing he needs,” Henry said.
“Honestly,” Olivia slammed her hand on the table. “There’s a good chance that the baby belongs to Eric.”
Briana’s mouth felt open, completely speechless.
‘Is Vivian really that fearless?
‘First, she sets the fire, then she’s pregnant with Eric’s baby, and now she’s claiming it’s Shepard’s.
‘Isn’t she afraid it’ll all blow up in her face one day?
‘Or maybe she’s just rolling the dice, hoping she can pull it off.
‘If she pulls this off, she’ll be set for life, riches, status, and her whole family will be riding high, Briana thought.
Olivia was so caught up in her own theory, she couldn’t help but feel like a total genius.
“Honestly, Shepard’s kind of pathetic,” Olivia said. “Vivian’s been playing him for five years, and that whole saving his life
guys end up so blind? thing was just a setup. And now he’s stuck playing dad to someone else’s kid. Seriously, how do
“He’s got someone as amazing and gentle as Briana right in front of him, but he just has to go chasing after Vivian. He’s got rocks in his head. Guess that’s karma. Can you imagine his face when he finally learns the truth?” Olivia said.
As she spoke, Olivia glanced at Briana’s belly. “Briana, your baby s the real future little prince of the Carter family.
“Too bad Shepard isn’t lucky enough to be his dad. But with me as the godmother, my godson or goddaughter is still going
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to have an awesome life,”
Then Olivia turned to Henry. “And besides, there’s Henry, the dal in name only.”
Olivia was dying for Henry and Briana to end up together.
She’d jump at any chance to play matchmaker.
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Henry replied, “Whatever Briana needs, I’m always ready to help Vivian and Eric are definitely in this together. I’m sure it won’t be long before I get some solid proof.”
“Yeah,” Olivia nodded cagerly. “With you on our side, that day is coming soon. I can’t wait to see Vivian crash and burn. And Eric’s going down with her.”
“I’ll figure out a way to deal with Eric. He still thinks I’m harmless.” Henry said.
Briana felt a headache coming on. She closed her eyes and gently rubbed her temples.
Olivia nudged her shoulder. “What’s up? Are you worried that if the baby really is Shepard’s, and it’s messing with your head?”
“No, I gave up on Shepard a long time ago,” Bri replied. “He’s actually been kind of decent to me lately.”
Olivia shrieked, “Decent? Where? He’s obviously trash, and everyone can see it.”
“He refuses to divorce me, suddenly starts paying attention, and gives me everything I ever wanted. I have no clue what’s going on in his head. It just feels weird. Honestly, he should hate me,” Briana said.
He should hate her for being pregnant with Henry’s child.
He should hate her for betraying him and ruining his reputation.
Her mind was a mess the more she thought about it, and Briana dug her fingers into her temples.
After a few seconds, her eyes flew open.
“Shepard’s here,” she blurted out. “He’s coming this way.”
Henry and Olivia were both caught off guard.
“I can hear his footsteps. They’re super soft,” Briana said, glancing at Henry. “Henry, you should get out of here.”
Henry was about to stand up when Olivia chimed in, “Briana, you can tell it’s Shepard just by the way he walks? Want me to go take a look?”
“It’s definitely him. I’m sure of it,” Briana insisted.
In five years of marriage, there were countless nights when Briana lay in bed, not quite asleep, waiting for Shepard to come
home.
At those times, her hearing would become especially keen.
Every time Shepard walked toward the master bedroom, she could always hear those faint footsteps, no matter how quietly
he walked.
She’d been listening to those footsteps for five years.
She knew those footsteps by heart.
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Chapter 136
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“Hurry, Briana urged. “Henry, you need to get out of here. If Shepard sees you, he’ll go after you again and try to hurt you.”
Henry nodded. “Okay. Briana, I promise I’ll get you the evidence on Eric and Vivian as soon as I can. Just give me a little time.
That was his promise.
And he was going to keep it, no matter what.
Just wait for him,’ Briana told herself.
Briana nodded firmly. “Thank you.”
She didn’t know how else to show her gratitude.
She already owed Henry so much.
Henry gave her a deep look, then quickly walked away, slipping out through another door.
Barely a moment after Henry left, those footsteps reached the door to the private room.
Then, the handle turned.
Briana and Olivia both stared at the door.
Moments later, Shepard stepped inside.
He was only wearing a shirt, with his tie loosely hanging, and there was a hint of fatigue in his eyes. He lacked the usual sharp and elite demeanor he typically exuded.
Olivia couldn’t help but give Briana a thumbs–up under the table. “You’re incredible. It really was Shepard.”
Briana just smiled.
After five years of listening to someone walk, one could pick out their footsteps anywhere, no matter when or where.
Shepard walked over to the table and sat down, looking completely at ease.
But then, he suddenly asked, “Was someone here just now?”
Briana’s heart skipped a beat.
‘Henry’s already gone. How did he know?‘ she thought.
“Nope,” Briana said quickly, forcing a casual tone even though her heart was racing. “It’s just me and Olivia, having dinner together.”
Olivia jumped in, “Yeah, seriously, Shepard. Say whatever you want at the table, but don’t go making wild accusations.”
She
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