Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 223

Chapter 223 

Wichley took her hand. Yen silly girl, do you have any idea how many people were waerial du konsoul year 

“Grandina. I. I messed up. I’m sorry, Iriane said. “I shouldn’t have run off to such a remote pers 

You’re acting crazy, and Shepard is just as bad for going along with you, Wendey scolded 

But Shepard spoke up for her. “Wrenley, I wanted to go there, too. so you can’t just blame Betana. 

“You just spoil her and let her do whatever she wants. Wrenley replied. “You work nonstop all year, never take a break, and whenever you travel it’s for business. 

“Would you really just ditch work and go camping in some valley out of the blue?” 

“It’s just that I’m always so busy, so I just felt like it on a whim…” Shepard tried to explain 

Wrenley cut him off. “Alright, stop trying to take the blame. 

With that, Wrenley flicked Briana’s forehead hard several times. “You totally had it coming! Did you learn your lesson?” 

“I did, I did,” Briana kept nodding. “I won’t do it again.” 

She didn’t even dare to touch her forehead where Wrenley had flicked her. 

But without missing a beat, Shepard reached over and rubbed her forehead for her. 

At the same time, he said, “Take it easy on her, Wrenley.” 

He winced, feeling bad for her. 

Wrenley was left speechless, her mouth hanging open. Then, after a beat, she burst out laughing. 

“Briana, you’re pregnant,” Wrenley said, her voice full of concern. “Most people are extra careful when they’re expecting, but you act like it’s no big deal. If anything happens to this baby, I won’t let you get away with it.” 

Evelyn added, “That’s right, Briana. I usually support you, but this time you were way too reckless.” 

Briana lowered her head, quietly taking the lecture. 

Shepard started to speak up, but Evelyn shut him down before he could say a word. 

“You need a scolding, too. Briana’s being reckless, but what’s your excuse? Aren’t you supposed to be the grown–up here?” Evelyn said. 

“Yes, I’m sorry,” Shepard replied. “I promise it won’t happen again.” 

Richard spoke up, “Ever since you two went off the grid, everyone’s been worried sick, waiting anxiously day and night…. Now that you’re back safe and sound, we can finally relax. 

“That’s right, you two should get some real rest. Take a shower and sleep well,” Isabelle said gently. “Now we can finally head home and not worry anymore.” 

People gradually filed out of the house. 

As the host and the junior member of the family, Charles personally saw each guest off, one by one. 

Olivia walked up to Briana and gave her a look. “I’m heading out, too.” 

Chapter 223 

“No.” Briana said, grabbing Olivia’s Inund Stay over with me tonight 

Olivia pointed at herself, wide–eyed. “Wait, me 

Shepard, standing nearby, frowned, his lips pressed into a thin line. 

He thought. Wait, what does that even mean? 

Are we really sleeping in separate rooms tonight? 

So it’s not just separate beds now, but separate rooms? 

We just survived a life–or–death ordeal together, and now that we’re home, my wife’s already tossing me aside? 

Honestly, Shepard was so stunned that he couldn’t even put his feelings into words. 

He felt aggrieved, miserable, and totally helpless…. 

And he couldn’t even say it out loud. 

“Yeah.” Briana nodded, her voice sounding all pitiful. “You’re the only one I have, Olivia…” 

She looked so pathetic. 

Olivia shot a hesitant look at Shepard. 

Is Shepard really going to let this slide? And what if he totally loses it on me… Olivia thought, feeling kinda anxious. 

She knew how Shepard could get sometimes. 

“Since Briana asked, you should stay with her,” Shepard said, putting on his best ‘good guy‘ act. “She might be a little shaken up. Olivia, I’m counting on you to help her calm down.” 

Shepard put on his best ‘I’m totally fine with this‘ face. 

But deep down, he was absolutely miserable. 

He thought, ‘Seriously, what am I supposed to do? 

‘Make Olivia leave? Crash Briana’s room anyway? 

‘Nah, that would just piss her off even more. 

He had to respect her. 

Sometimes he gotta move forward, sometimes he gotta back off. 

He had to let her have her own space. 

“I’ll head upstairs first,” Shepard said, his voice steady but a little strained. 

He didn’t just agree. He actually stepped aside to give them privacy. 

Watching him head upstairs, Olivia scratched her head, whispering under her breath, “Is that really the Shepard I know?” 

She thought, ‘From what I know about him, shouldn’t he have put on his usual scowl, kicked me out, and then hauled Briana upstairs himself? 

‘Seriously? Did Shepard really just walk away like that? 

Chapter 200 

Jen 1 ANG. 

What the heck? Did hell just freeze ver or something? 

Dit being stuck together for a whole day and night really flip a switch i hepari 

It’s him. Briana said. Tu somnchow, it’s like he’s not quite himself” 

She could honestly feel that something about Shepard was different now. 

“What happened between you two?” Olivia asked. “Briana, why do you want me to stay with you tonight? 

“I just want someone to talk to. I don’t want to end up in Shepard’s arms again. I might. Briana hesitated, her voice trailing 

**IT 

I might just let myself get swept away by him, she thought, and that freaked her out. 

“That’s way too dangerous, she told herself. 

Briana knew she had to shut that down before it even started. 

Briana told herself, ‘I can’t just let a little warmth make me forget all the hurt I’ve been through before 

In the bedroom. 

Briana and Olivia were lying together on the bed. 

Outside, the sky was starting to lighten up. It was almost morning. 

Briana turned to Olivia, looking her straight in the eye. “Olivia, if you were me, what would you do?” 

“Do what exactly?” Olivia asked, a little puzzled. “Are you thinking about giving Shepard another chance and just letting the past go?” 

“No, I mean… Should I have the courage to love again?” Briana said softly. 

Olivia rolled over, too, resting her head on her arm, her eyes sparkling in the dim light. 

“Do you still love him, Briana? Is it the same as before?” Olivia asked, her voice gentle. 

“I don’t love him the way I used to, but… I just can’t bring myself to fall for anyone else,” Briana whispered. 

That was what made her feel so helpless and sad. 

She’d lost that feeling of having her heart skip a beat. 

Her feelings for Shepard weren’t strong enough, but she couldn’t fall for anyone else either. 

Briana murmured, “While we were trapped, he looked after me, kept me calm, and gave me every last bit of food and water we had. It was clear he wanted me to be the one who made it out alive. 

“If rescue hadn’t come in time, he would’ve been the one in trouble first. But he didn’t care at all. He was so chill about it, like it wasn’t even a big deal, just something he thought was the only right thing to do. 

“Lying in his arms, I kept thinking, ‘This guy… he’s loved me, hurt me, even hated me. And I’ve loved and hated him, too. But when it came down to it, he picked me to survive.‘ 

“At a moment like that, does love even matter anymore? Is there really any guy out there who’d give up his own life just so I could keep mine?” 

Olivia said without missing a beat, “Henry, obviously!” 

18:39. 

Tue, Jan 11ANG 

Chapter 3 

Briana blinked, her yes soll. Yeah. The last person who did that for me was Heiny Artlocantly Tocha’s An same thing is learning agam Ain I alwut to love Strepand the same way? 

Getting suck like that gave Briana a lot to think aluss 

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