Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 146

Chapter 146 

Olivia clapped her hands in delight. She said, “Exactly. That’s the right way to think. Briana, you absolutely cannot go soft on Shepard, and you definitely can’t forgive him.” 

“Don’t worry,” Briana replied. 

“If you give Shepard a second chance, it’s like handing him a second bullet to finish the job he failed with the first one,” Olivia said. 

Briana smiled and said, “He already shot me dead with the first one.” 

It just took her five years of pain before she finally gave up on him for good. 

Olivia’s smile was radiant, lighting up her whole face. 

She kept reminding Briana every single day: not to let Shepard off the hook, and definitely not to go easy on him. 

After all, she was dead set on playing matchmaker for Henry and Briana! 

Olivia thought, ‘Marrying a guy like Henry will be a ticket to a lifetime of peace and happiness. 

‘He’s got it all: responsibility, loyalty, devotion, killer looks, a great family, and great skills. Guys like him are a rare gem; you’d be lucky to find another even if you searched high and low! 

‘As for Shepard, with that sour face and bad attitude, no matter how handsome or rich he is, I am not interested. 

‘Honestly, what people really want is someone who brings them good vibes and makes life happy‘ 

Olivia said, “Oh, and by the way. Henry’s already made his move. He told me he’s figured out a way to get some evidence out of Eric.” 

Briana perked up. She asked, “What’s the plan?” 

“He didn’t go into details. He just asked me to let you know and to be patient. Once he’s got enough evidence, he’ll give it to you in person,” Olivia replied. 

Briana replied, “Okay.” 

Olivia paused, thinking. Then she said, “Honestly, the real pain right now is that Shepard just won’t sign the divorce papers. What’s up with him? He’s acting all weird again, when he was the one desperate to end things in the first place.” 

Outside the bedroom door, Shepard was just about to push it open when he suddenly heard Olivia’s voice, clear as day. 

He froze mid–step. 

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Chapter 146 

Shepard thought, ‘Is Briana on a video call with her best friend? 

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‘People always say that when women chat with their besties, that’s when the real truth comes out, no holding back, just pure honesty. 

‘Should I listen in?‘ 

Even though he was still hesitating, Shepard was already holding his breath, standing there completely silent. 

Briana said, “This divorce is happening, no matter what. It’s just a matter of time.” 

Olivia said, “As long as you don’t go soft and don’t give Shepard any chances, just hold your ground and don’t budge. Sooner or later, he’ll get tired of it and let go. We don’t go back to old flames, be good.” 

Briana rolled over, propped herself up on her elbows, and rested her chin in her hand. She replied, “I don’t love him anymore. 

“Sometimes, when I look back, I honestly can’t figure out why I was so obsessed with him before, like I was under some spell.” 

“That’s just how a bad romance goes. The real deal is all about peace and comfort. With the way Shepard is, you shouldn’t even think about loving him. You should be hating his guts,” Olivia said. 

Briana thought, ‘Did I hate him? 

‘Not really. 

‘Honestly, there’s just nothing left. No love, no hate. 

‘Guess that’s what truly moving on feels like.‘ 

Olivia arched her brow and asked, “Briana, if you could turn back time to five years ago, would you pick Henry or Shepard?” 

Briana didn’t even hesitate. She replied, “Henry.” 

If it came down to just those two, she’d choose Henry in a heartbeat. 

She wasn’t sure that marrying Henry would bring her happiness, but at least it wouldn’t hurt. 

Briana thought, ‘With a guy like Henry, anyone who marries him would be set for life. 

‘But marrying Shepard? That is just nonstop emotional battles and misery, every single day: pure suffering and heartbreak. 

‘I never want to relive that nightmare again. 

Suddenly, footsteps sounded at the door. 

Briana was startled and whipped her head around. 

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Chapter 146 

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Shepard walked in, yanking at his tie. The top two buttons of his shirt had already burst from how hard he was pulling. 

The buttons hit the floor. 

Shepard’s expression was dark and unpredictable. 

Whenever he looked like that, it meant he was about to lose his temper. 

Briana suddenly felt a little uneasy. 

She thought, ‘When did he show up? How much did he hear? 

‘From the look on Shepard’s face, he’d probably heard almost everything! 

Briana said, “You’re back.” 

She was really just signaling Olivia. 

Olivia got the hint instantly and ended the video call in a heartbeat. 

Shepard stood there, his eyes fixed on Briana. 

The crystal chandelier overhead threw a bright, clear light, making his lips pressed into a hard line impossible to miss. 

Shepard said, “Answer that question again, right in front of me. If you could go back five years, would you choose Henry or me?” 

He was giving her a chance to change her answer. 

Even if she just lied to him, that would be enough for him. 

He’d believe anything she said. 

Even if it was fake, he’d still buy it. 

Briana paused for a couple of seconds, then said, “I’d choose Henry.” 

“Why did you pause?” Shepard pressed, his voice tight with emotion. 

He let himself believe that, in those two seconds, maybe she was actually thinking about picking him. 

Those two seconds were all he needed. 

Briana explained, “Honestly, I was just debating whether to answer at all.” 

She couldn’t fool herself, and she didn’t want to lie to him either. 

In the end, she stuck to the truth, no sugarcoating, no hesitation. 

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No matter if it was Olivia or Shepard, her answer never changed. 

Briana didn’t hold back. She was honest and upfront, no games, no lies. 

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Shepard stood there in silence, the icy edge to him melting away as a calm settled over the room. 

He looked lost, a quiet sadness flickering in his eyes. 

He asked, “So you regret marrying me, don’t you?” 

Vivian replied, “Yes.” 

“I’ve made you suffer for five years, haven’t I?” Shepard asked. 

Vivian replied, “Yes,” 

Shepard’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. He said, “Why can’t you just lie to me, just fool me a little?” 

“Because there’s no point,” Briana replied, her tone calm and unwavering. 

Shepard’s gaze grew intense, locked onto Briana, and never wavered. 

Briana felt uncomfortable under his stare and looked away. 

She asked, “Not happy now? So, if you could go back five years, would you pick me, or would you pick Vivian?” 

Five years ago, Shepard chose Vivian, gave her all his love and his heart. 

But he married Briana. 

And he was always ready to snatch it back at any moment. 

Shepard said, “I’d choose you, Briana.” 

Briana sneered, “Wow, didn’t think you’d actually lie for once. That must’ve been hard for you.” 

Ever since he was a kid, Shepard was always treated like royalty, getting his way no matter what. 

Briana thought, ‘Now look at him: even saying things he doesn’t mean, just to make her feel better. 

‘Too bad, I don’t buy it.’ 

“Come on, Shepard, just tell the truth. If you could go back five years, you’d go against everyone, throw caution to the wind, and pick Vivian. You’d break off our engagement in a heartbeat,” Briana said. 

“No, Briana. I’d choose you, every single time,” Shepard said, his voice firm. 

Shepard was already full of regret. 

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Chapter 146 

If he ever got a second chance, he wouldn’t hesitate: he’d hold onto Briana and never let her go. 

Briana fell silent. 

She had nothing left to say. 

She put her phone away as if nothing had happened. She said, “I’m going to wash up, she said. 

“Wait,” Shepard called out, stopping her. 

“What is it?” Briana said, standing at the bathroom door without turning around. 

Shepard said, “You mentioned before that the fire in the equipment room at Aetherton University that year- it was pretty strange, wasn’t it?” 

Briana turned around, stunned, meeting Shepard’s shadowed gaze. 

She thought, ‘Why’s he suddenly bringing this up? 

‘Did he notice something off, too?‘ 

They locked eyes, and in that moment, the silence spoke louder than any words. 

AD