Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 217

Posted by ADMINMMADMIN, ? Views, Released on January 12, 2026

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In a quiet corner, Briana was quietly looking at the painting By the Window, lost in her own thoughts.

Shepard stood behind her, letting her be.

“Briana,” Leonard said, strolling over with his hands behind his back, “you’ve kicked things off with a bang. People know your name now.”

Briana snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Leonard. “Mr. Dean.”

Leonard smiled. “I’m really happy for you, and honestly, I’m proud. But here’s my advice: from now on, focus on growing, keep sharpening your skills, and never stop learning.

“Make every painting carry its own meaning, so your buyers can truly understand what you’re trying to say.”

“I get it, Mr. Dean,” Briana replied.

“Just keep creating. Paint what you want,” Leonard encouraged.

Briana nodded, respectfully taking in Leonard’s guidance with humble attention.

As the art show was winding down, By the Window still hadn’t found a buyer.

Briana was unfazed.

But then Shepard spoke up, “Briana, what if I wanted to buy By the Window?”

Her first instinct was to refuse, but she stopped herself and asked, “Why do you want to buy it?”

“I just want to buy it,” Shepard replied.

Briana was speechless.

She couldn’t help but laugh, finding the whole thing a bit absurd.

“I know what you’re trying to do,” Briana said. “You want all three of my paintings to sell today, especially By the Window, and for it to fetch the highest price. That way, I’d make a name for myself overnight.

“But Shepard, what matters more to me is that you truly understand my art.”

In truth, Beneath the Waves and Starlit Skies were born from her reverence for art and the vastness of the

universe.

But By the Window was a reflection of her own life’s journey.

For five years in a broken marriage, she spent countless days and nights sitting by the window, gazing at the city lights, quietly waiting for that person in her heart to come home.

She thought, ‘If Shepard could truly understand By the Window… Forget it. He’ll never get

it.

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Chapter 217

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He’d never spent those long, painful nights, never felt the sting of disappointment again and again. To him, By the Window was just a window and a table.

Shepard said, “I may not understand it right now, but maybe someday, I will.”

Briana smiled, her eyes crinkling with warmth.

She was in such a good mood now that the coldness she used to feel toward Shepard was gone.

After all, he’d been by her side the whole time at the art show.

Even though he was swamped with calls and messages, he ignored them all just to make time for her.

She could feel how much it meant to her.

“If you really want to help me, then buying my painting isn’t what I need from you right now,” Briana said. “Take me somewhere instead.”

Shepard met her gaze. “Where do you want to go?”

“You’ll see when we get there,” Briana replied.

“Okay,” Briana replied.

No matter where she wanted to go, he’d take her there.

After the art show ended, there was a celebration party to follow.

At the party, everyone raised their glasses for Briana, offering their congratulations.

‘So this is what it feels like to finally make it,’ Briana thought.

It was a rush of freedom, confidence, and self–acceptance.

Briana couldn’t drink alcohol, so she toasted everyone at the party with her cup of juice instead.

Meanwhile, Shepard went around with a glass of real liquor, making a toast to each guest one by one.

Someone like him was never the one making the rounds with a drink.

It was always others raising their glasses to him.

But tonight, he wasn’t the high–powered CEO of Carter Group. He was simply Briana’s husband.

Shepard stood by, witnessing his wife bask in her moment of glory.

He wanted to be present for every important chapter in her life.

By the time the party wrapped up, Shepard was definitely feeling the buzz.

After all, he’d been downing actual hard liquor all night.

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Chapter 217

Tipsy and bold, Shepard kept snuggling up to Briana, practically clinging to her.

“I’m drunk,” he slurred. “Briana, my head’s spinning.”

Before Briana could get a word in, he collapsed onto her shoulder.

He snuggled closer, burying his face in her neck and breathing in her scent over and over.

“You smell so good,” he murmured. “Did you put on a new perfume today?”

“Pretty sure I was there when you put it on this morning,” he mumbled.

“You smell amazing. You should always wear this one,” he said.

“Should I just buy the whole perfume brand for you?” he teased.

“Briana, how about it?” he asked.

Briana just figured he was talking nonsense because he was drunk.

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She nudged him and said, “I’m about to collapse here. Try to stand up on your own, okay? Don’t put all your weight on me.”

Shepard replied with total confidence, “I’m drunk.”

“Quit faking,” Briana exposed him. “I know your tolerance better than anyone.”

That little bit of liquor was nowhere near enough to get him tipsy.

If Shepard ever got drunk, it was always because he chose to be.

“I’m really drunk,” Shepard whined. “Can’t you smell the alcohol on my breath?”

As he said it, he leaned in closer, trying to get her to catch a whiff.

Briana quickly dodged. “Shepard, hey—”

“Briana,” Leonard said as he happened to walk by. “Still here, huh?”

She immediately smiled. “Yeah, Mr. Dean, we were just about to head out.”

“Shep’s a little drunk,” Leonard said. “Keep an eye on him and make sure he’s got something to help him sober up.”

“Yeah, I will,” Briana said.

With Leonard watching, Briana felt too embarrassed to push Shepard away.

Shepard got even bolder, shamelessly leaning on her without a care.

He was clinging to her like an oversized keychain.

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As soon as Leonard left, Briana dropped her smile. “Hey, Shepard, how long are you gonna keep up this act?”

“Act? Briana, what am I even pretending?” Shepard shot back, all wide–eyed and innocent.

“Fine, whatever, keep going,” Briana huffed.

“I only got tipsy because I was raising my glass for you,” Shepard sighed, sounding all aggrieved. “Don’t you care at all? Don’t you feel bad for me? Briana, don’t be so heartless.”

He reached out, wrapped his arm around her waist, and rested his chin on her shoulder.

Briana caught a whiff of alcohol on his breath.

She muttered, “Everyone was cool with me just having juice… You’re the one who had to go for the hard stuff.”

“Trust me, Briana, drinking and not drinking? Totally different vibe,” Shepard insisted.

When it came to socializing, Shepard was way more seasoned than Briana.

He knew exactly how these things worked.

Usually, it was everyone else trying to get on his good side.

But tonight, he was the one making connections, putting in the effort for her.

For Briana’s future, there was nothing he wouldn’t do. No limits, no hesitation.

Briana pouted. “Okay, okay, I get it. Come on, let’s go home.”

She walked out.

Shepard was still clinging to her like a giant keychain, refusing to let go.

Once they got in the car, Briana gave him another nudge.

But he just slumped right back against her.

“My head’s spinning. Let me lean on you for a bit,” Shepard said as if it was the most normal thing in the world. “Otherwise, I might just throw up. Seriously, I drank way too much.”