Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 197

Chapter 197 

Chapter 197 

“If you’re not here,” Shepard replied, “who’s going to take care of me?” 

He looked up at her, meeting her gaze. 

“Ever since you brought up divorce, Briana, my life’s been a mess,” Shepard said. “I can’t find my ties. I’m always losing my charger. 

“The car doesn’t smell like it used to, and even my daily coffee just doesn’t taste right anymore. 

“Then you moved back into the Carter Estate, and I thought maybe things would finally get back to normal. But everything’s changed It’s never going to be the same again.” 

He let out a sigh. “It’s only now that I realize some things just can’t go back to the way they were. They’ve changed.” 

But Shepard just couldn’t come to terms with it. 

He kept running from the truth. 

Briana looked away, slowly eating her food. “I won’t be here for you anymore, Shepard. But I hope you can take care of yourself. Or maybe find someone to take care of you.” 

“Find someone else?” Shepard gave a faint smile, but his eyes were indifferent. 

‘Who would that even be?‘ he thought. 

He didn’t want to look anymore. 

After everything they’d been through, how could he not see that the one he loved most was Briana? 

“Yeah, find someone to look after you, to keep you in check. What you really need isn’t a lover or a wife, it’s just a maid.” Briana said, her voice tinged with sarcasm. 

Shepard swallowed hard, but didn’t say another word. 

“You’re the one suffering here,” Briana continued. “I can be here for you this time, but what about next time? Or the time after that? Right now, I’m still your family, but next month? We’ll just be the closest strangers.” 

She thought to herself, ‘Shepard is probably just trying to play the victim.‘ 

With him this sick, she couldn’t really justify not coming. 

But honestly, it wasn’t even necessary. 

His health was his own business. 

Shepard stayed silent, just eating his food, one bite after another. 

Just when Briana thought he wasn’t going to say anything, he suddenly spoke up. “You really shouldn’t have come.” 

Briana was taken aback. 

“I didn’t even know you were here,” Shepard said. “I was out cold the whole time. Daniel must’ve been the one who called you, but you could’ve just refused. If I’d been awake, I never would’ve let him contact you. 

“It’s just a minor thing, really. I didn’t even need to be hospitalized. Everyone’s just making a big deal out of nothing. A few pills and I’ll be fine in a couple of days.” 

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His whatever attitude just pissed Briana off even more. 

‘Seriously, does he even care about his own health?‘ she thought. 

Daniel had said Shepard kept refusing to see a doctor, which led to him passing out this morning. 

He’d almost tumbled down the stairs! 

“Do you even realize how bad your condition is?” Briana slammed her fork down. “And you’re still acting like you don’t care! 

“What? Are you trying to starve yourself until you’re just skin and bones, so you can play the ultimate victim and show everyone how miserable you are after the divorce? 

“And then everyone would start pointing fingers at me, saying I’m selfish and ungrateful. You’ve become so pathetic, and I still won’t forgive you or care about you By then, I’d be the villain in everyone’s eyes!” 

Shepard slowly furrowed his brow. “Why would I even think that?” 

“Then take care of yourself and go back to being the old Shepard!” Briana shot back. 

“I’m still me,” Shepard replied. “How am I any different from before?” 

“Just look at you! You’re all haggard and skinny. Where’s that spark you used to have?” Briana snapped. 

Shepard replied calmly, “Briana, on the outside, I haven’t changed. It’s what’s inside that’s different, because I’ve lost you.” 

His heart was hollow now. 

Even the space beside him, the pillow next to his, felt cold and empty. 

Shepard had gotten so used to Briana being there, like she was his shadow, always by his side. 

But now that shadow was truly gone, and he felt lost. 

He tried to hold on, only to realize it was already too late. 

“I can promise you. I don’t look much different on the outside. But inside, I’m not the same man I used to be,” he said, forcing a smile. “Some things, you just can’t get back.” 

Briana was about to say something, but Shepard picked up some greens and placed them on her plate. “Just eat.” 

But Briana had no appetite at all. 

She stood up and walked out, without so much as a glance back. 

Shepard watched her go, his lips tightening, then just lowered his head and kept eating. 

Shepard thought to himself, ‘She’s never coming back, is she?‘ 

Shepard sat there in silence, acting like nothing had happened. 

It wasn’t until Daniel and the servants came in to clear the table that he finally asked, “Where is she?” 

“Mrs. Carter is in the doctor’s office,” Daniel replied. 

Shepard’s eyes suddenly lit up. 

Daniel added, “She’s asking the doctor about every detail of your condition, really wants to know everything.” 

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Shepard instantly lit up, his whole demeanor changing in a flash. 

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“Mr. Carter, you’re pretty healthy overall. As long as you get enough rest and keep up with your meds and IVs, soon you’ll be good to go,” he said. “You can jump right back into your busy work life, but don’t push yourself too hard.” 

Shepard didn’t say a word. 

Once everyone had left, he closed the door to his hospital room and walked quickly over to the window, pushing it open. 

He was over twenty floors up, and it was already night. As soon as he opened the window, the wind came roaring in. 

Shepard just stood there, right in the path of the wind. 

He didn’t even try to move away. 

The wind flapped his hospital gown and his hair was all over the place, but he couldn’t care less. 

Then he heard soft footsteps outside the door. 

Shepard shut the window and dropped onto the couch. 

He coughed into his fist, keeping it low. 

Briana walked in. 

She clenched her jaw, silently berating herself for being too soft. 

She’d already put down her fork and walked out, but when she reached the hospital elevator, she turned around and went straight to the doctor’s office. 

After getting the full rundown on Shepard’s condition, she found herself back in his hospital room. 

‘Why can’t I just be cold for once?‘ she thought. 

Briana shot Shepard a look. 

While coughing, Shepard met her gaze, their eyes locking for a moment. 

Shepard spoke up, “I thought you left.” 

“I’ll be leaving soon,” Briana answered. “You’ve got another IV drip tonight, three bags. The nurse should be here soon.” 

Briana would stick around until the nurse got him set up, then she’d head out. 

‘I swear I’m leaving this time, Briana told herself. 

Daniel had warned her that if she didn’t keep an eye on him, Shepard would probably skip the IV and just check himself out of the hospital. 

He was a total workaholic now. 

He was pouring all his energy into the Carter Group. 

So Briana figured she’d better stick around and make sure he actually got his treatment. 

With the IV already in, he probably wouldn’t pull it out himself now,‘ Briana thought. 

“Yeah,” Shepard nodded. “Alright.” 

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After a brief silence, Shepard said, “If you want, you can go now. There are doctors, nurses, and the butler Daniel here. You really don’t have to worry about me.” He tried to stifle his coughing as he spoke. 

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