Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 211

No Ads 

Chapter 211 

“This is from Shepard, too, right?” Wrenley asked. “It’s lovely. Really suits you.” 

“Grandma…” Briana began. 

Briana’s mind was overflowing with things she wanted to say, but she just couldn’t figure out how to start. 

Charles blurted out, “Grandma, she’s not ready to forgive Shepard yet.” 

He made it sound like he was quite close to Shepard. 

He said, “But I think we should take it slow. If she forgives him too soon, Shepard might start taking her for granted. 

“Let’s see how sincere he is and what he’s willing to do before making any decisions. Anyway, as for the baby… 

“We can totally raise the baby ourselves, right, Grandma? Sure, having both parents and a complete family would be ideal, but it’s Briana’s call. I’ll back her up no matter what.” 

Wrenley nodded. 

She took Briana’s hand and sat down on the couch. “Briana, people always say, ‘If you can let something go, then let it go. 

“If Shepard has always put you first and truly seems sincere and regretful, maybe you should think abou to get back together with him. 

whether you want 

“Having a baby changes everything. Marriage isn’t just about you two anymore. It’s about the whole family. When your child is born, you’ll want it to have a good environment to grow up in, right? 

“I’m not trying to force you. Only you know what’s best for you, since you’re the one living your life.” 

As she spoke, Wrenley kept patting Briana’s hand reassuringly. 

Wrenley’s hands were wrinkled and rough, with a faint layer of calluses from years of hard work. 

As Briana felt her grandma’s touch, a pang of bittersweet emotion welled up inside her. 

Wrenley was getting on in years; all she wished for now was a happy, united family. 

But right now, she and Edward were caught up in a battle for control over Lane Group. 

Wrenley never said a word about it, but she knew exactly what was going on. 

They were both her flesh and blood, so she couldn’t pick a favorite. All she could do was stay silent. 

Briana couldn’t help but remember all those years after her parents passed away. Wrenley was the one who raised her, always kept her by her side, and looked after her herself. 

If it hadn’t been for Wrenley, no one knew how badly Sophia would’ve bullied her. 

Briana’s nose tingled, and she felt tears threatening to fall. 

“Grandma, you’re about to move up a generation,” Briana said softly. “Soon, you’ll get to see four generations of our family all together.” 

Welcoming a new life was truly something to celebrate. 

But Briana had never shared this happiness with her family before. 

14:36 Sat, Jan 10 G040 

Chapter 211 

Wrenley would be absolutely thrilled. 

76 

Let youchole 

If she brought up anything about leaving now, it would only hurt Wrenley’s feelings and spoil this precious moment. 

So, Briana flashed a playful grin. “Guess I’m ahead of Charles this time.” 

Wrenley’s smile deepened, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes 

Krow 

more pronounced with happiness. 

“Take good care of yourself and be extra careful, Wrenley said gently. “It’s your first time, so you don’t have much experience yet. Just take things slow and be careful. 

“I’ll have a couple of older, experienced maids come over to look after you and the baby, make sure you’re both comfortable and have everything you need.” 

Briana nodded. “Okay, thank you, Grandma.” 

Charles joked from the side, “Looks like I get to enjoy some of the perks, too. I’ll help myself to those tonics and treats. Gotta see if I can get a little extra nourishment out of it.” 

“Look at you,” Wrenley sighed. “If you’d just stay out of trouble and quit acting so wild, I’d really be counting my blessings. If you can’t get your career sorted, at least think about settling down and starting a family.” 

Wrenley lingered, offering a stream of gentle reminders and heartfelt advice before she finally left Evergreen Estate. 

Less than an hour later, a bunch of cars showed up, their trunks stuffed with all sorts of health tonics and treats. 

There were all kinds of fancy herbs and delicacies. 

Charles whistled in amazement, “Whoa, that’s a crazy amount… No way you’ll finish all this in a year. Grandma’s been stockpiling these goodies, just waiting for the day she finally gets promoted to grandma.” 

“You really think all this is from Grandma?” Briana asked. 

“Yeah, who else could it be?” Charles replied. 

After a brief pause, Charles suddenly perked up. “Wait, could it be Shepard? Wow, he’s really paying attention.” 

“It’s from the Carter family,” Briana said. “Grandma must’ve told them the news.” 

So, some of these things were from Wrenley, and some were sent over by the Carter family. 

Evelyn and Wrenley were so close that they shared everything. There were no secrets between them at all. 

“Makes sense,” Charles nodded eagerly. “Well, Briana, looks like you’re the center of attention now. Everyone’s spoiling you!” 

Briana thought, ‘Spoiling me? 

‘But is it really me they’re doting on, or is it just the baby they care about?‘ 

Briana watched the maids hauling in box after box, her brows knitting together in quiet concern. 

Ever since Shepard found out she was pregnant, things started spiraling in ways Briana never expected. 

Nothing was in her hands 

anymore. 

Briana hated feeling so powerless. 

But there was nothing she could do about it. 

14.36 Sat, Jan IU GMB 

Chapter 211 

2 59 voucheres 

“I’m heading to the gallery,” Briana said, her tone cool and giving nothing away. “I’m not coming back tonight.” 

“Huh? Wait, hey!” Charles called out, but Briana was already getting in the car and driving off. 

Charles was left standing there, talking to himself, “So I guess I’ll be the one hanging out with Shepard tonight, huh?” 

***** 

At Dreamscape Gallery, Briana stood before her finished painting, Beneath the Waves. 

She gazed at the canvas for a long, long time, completely absorbed. 

In that quiet moment, it felt as if she was being drawn into the depths of that dark, almost midnight blue. 

The art show was happening this weekend. 

Briana had finished three paintings. 

They were Beneath the Waves, Starlit Skies, and By the Window. 

They were all part of a series. 

And it was her very first time putting her work out there, all while holding the title of ‘Leonard Dean’s last student‘. 

Briana was really feeling the pressure. 

She didn’t want to embarrass Leonard, so she gave it her all, putting everything she had into every stroke, chasing perfection with every brushstroke. 

“Turns out I get the most done when I’m not caught up in relationship stuff,” Briana muttered to herself. “Three paintings, finished in less than half a month.” 

After muttering to herself, she checked the time. 

It was almost five. 

Still early. 

She figured she’d go find Olivia. 

She definitely wasn’t going back to the Lane residence tonight. No way she wanted to see Shepard. 

Briana turned and walked out of the studio. 

“Briana,” a staff member called out as soon as he saw her. “I was just about to go find you. Mr. Dean wants to see you. He’s in the lounge.” 

“Okay,” Briana replied. 

She immediately turned and made her way to the lounge without hesitation. 

When Leonard called, she didn’t dare waste a second. She hurried over right away. 

She knocked on the door, and after being told to come in, she turned the handle and walked inside. 

Leonard was sitting on the couch, engaged in lively conversation and laughter with the person across from him. 

‘Who else is in here?‘ Briana wondered. 

Chapter 211 

As the door swung open, Briana caught sight of the person sitting across from Leonard. 

It was Shepard. 

Briana was completely thrown off. 

‘Seriously? Why is it always him?‘ she thought, exasperated. 

‘Is he haunting me or something? Does he have to pop up everywhere?‘ she grumbled to herself. 

She was supposed to go straight to Olivia after the gallery, just to dodge Shepard. 

But he’d read her like a book. He showed up at the gallery first and was already cozying up to Leonard. 

Shepard looked cool as ever. The moment he saw Briana, he got up and headed straight toward her. 

AD