Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 224

Chapter 224 The Love Rival 

Briana had to start rethinking her relationship with Shepard. 

Before, she’d been dead set on ending things with no turning back. 

But now, reality and unexpected events were forcing her to face it head–on. 

“I don’t really know, to be honest…” Olivia sighed. “Maybe I just never really loved anyone. Honestly, from where 

I stand, I still feel like Shepard’s just not the one for you.” 

“Why do you say that?” Briana asked. 

Olivia said, “Don’t people always say that if it’s meant to be, it just happens? If you’re always struggling or feeling miserable, then maybe it’s just not right. 

“A real relationship should be as easy as breathing or grabbing a bite. So by that logic, you and Shepard just aren’t a good match.” 

Briana nodded. “I get what you mean, but that’s just how things are in a perfect world.” 

She thought, ‘Who really gets things that perfect anyway? 

‘Life’s just a mess, honestly! 

Olivia thought for a moment. “Yeah, you’re right. Theory’s one thing, but real life is something else entirely.” “So now I’m just… so confused right now,” Briana said. 

“Just take your time,” Olivia suggested, her eyes lighting up. “You don’t have to forgive Shepard right away or make any decisions yet. Just let things play out, see him for who he really is, and figure out your own feelings.” “Sure,” Shepard replied. 

Guess that was all she could do for now. 

“Let’s just sleep on it. Don’t push yourself to make any important decisions in a rush,” Olivia yawned. “I’ve been so caught up worrying about you that I haven’t really rested at all. I’m beat…” 

With that, Olivia pulled up the covers, closed her eyes, and was out like a light. 

Briana stared up at the ceiling, sleep was nowhere in sight. 

Her mind kept replaying those moments–Shepard holding her close, the two of them leaning on each other for support, stuck in that car, killing time with no idea when help would actually arrive. 

But now that she was back home, she found herself avoiding him. 

Briana let out a sigh, closed her eyes, and tried to force herself to sleep. 

But no matter what she did, sleep just wouldn’t come. 

. 

She thought, ‘I wonder if Shepard can even get any sleep tonight. 

‘He must be totally exhausted. He’s been looking after me this whole time, barely eating or getting any rest. 

In the bedroom next door, Shepard lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. 

He thought, ‘Why is this nothing like I pictured it? 

‘Shouldn’t Briana be curled up in my arms right now, with us just holding each other as we drift off to sleep? ‘Back in the car, she kept clinging to me. 

‘If help had just come a little later, we could’ve had more time together. 

‘Great. Just great. 

‘Stuck here all alone in this empty room.’ 

Shepard tossed and turned, but sleep just wouldn’t come. 

After everything they’d been through, he thought their relationship would at least have eased up a bit. Maybe not a huge leap forward, but at least not so tense. 

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Chapter 224 The Love Rival 

‘So why does it feel like we’re even more distant now?‘ he wondered. 

Shepard just couldn’t make sense of it. 

‘Trying to figure out a woman’s mind is like diving into the deep end of the ocean, he thought. 

After a long, sleepless night, Shepard finally dragged himself out of bed. 

He thought, ‘Sleep’s out of the question anyway. Might as well go for a run and get some fresh air. 

He headed downstairs and started doing laps around the garden. He had no idea how many times he’d circled the place before Charles finally stepped in and stopped him. 

“Shepard, why aren’t you getting some rest?” Charles asked. “You were stuck in the mountains for so long. You really should…” 

Before he could finish, Shepard cut him off. “I’m fine.” 

Charles said, “Didn’t you feel even a little scared afterwards? 

“Weren’t you worried that help might not arrive in time, that you and Briana could’ve been attacked by wild animals, gone without food or water and starved, or maybe even frozen to death?” 

“Impossible,” Shepard replied firmly. 

Charles gave a little “Oh?” in surprise. 

“My phone has satellite positioning, and so does my watch,” Shepard explained. “So all I had to do was wait.” Getting rescued was just a matter of time. 

Honestly, all he cared about while they were stuck in that car was how Briana was holding up. 

HE just didn’t want her to freak out. 

“Still, you can never be totally sure,” Charles said. “But you know, sometimes a setback turns out to be a blessing in disguise. You and Briana spent all that time alone together, and went through something so intense. 

“After an experience like that, your relationship’s gotta ease up a bit.” 

That really struck a sore spot for Shepard. 

His expression turned stormy in a flash. 

Charles caught on immediately and asked, “What’s up? Are things even more awkward between you two now?” “Last night, Briana shared a room with Olivia,” Shepard said. 

“What?” Charles blurted out, totally caught off guard. 

Charles had been busy seeing off the elders from both the Carter and the Lane families last night. When he got back to the living room, it was empty. 

He didn’t think much of it and didn’t bother Shepard or Briana. 

He thought, ‘Wait, did they really sleep in separate rooms? 

‘This is just insane.‘ 

“She seems to be avoiding me even more now,” Shepard said, sounding genuinely baffled. “Honestly, I have no clue what’s going on in her head.” 

Charles tsked twice, shook his head, and looked deep in thought. 

He paced back and forth in front of Shepard, hands clasped behind his back, head down, clearly lost in thought. 

Shepard was about to start running again, but Charles caught him by the arm and stopped him. 

“Whoa, whoa, let me give you some advice,” Charles said, sounding super serious. “If you keep this up, God knows when you two will ever get together.” 

“You want to give me some tips?” Shepard asked, raising an eyebrow. 

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Chapter 224 The Love Rival 

“Exactly! The way things are going, you two will end up having a kid before you even sort things out, Charles teased, though there was a hint of seriousness in his voice. 

Shepard frowned. 

“Wait, don’t rush me, let me think,” Charles muttered, pacing as he talked to himself. “I mean, I’ve been around the block when it comes to women. Chasing girls? I’ve got my tricks. 

“Honestly, I used to just flash some cash and they’d be all over me… But Briana? She’s a whole different ball 

game. 

“So, what kind of situation would actually make a woman freak out over losing a man? What kind of scenario is that…” 

Shepard could barely catch what Charles was saying, and honestly, he wasn’t really listening. He just brushed 

it off. 

He tried to walk past Charles. 

‘Might as well just go for a run, he thought. 

Running always helped him clear his head. 

“I’ve got it!” Charles slapped his thigh, grinning excitedly at Shepard. 

Shepard raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?” 

Charles looked all mysterious, glanced around to make sure no one was watching, and then leaned in like he was about to share some top–secret info with Shepard. 

“A love rival,” he whispered. 

“A love rival?” Shepard repeated, clearly puzzled. 

“Nothing freaks a woman out more than that,” Charles said with a sly grin. “If you suddenly have some perfect girl chasing after you, Briana’s bound to get anxious. She’ll start worrying someone might snatch you away.” 

Shepard was at a loss for words. 

‘Seriously, what kind of ridiculous idea is that?‘ he thought. 

Here he was, thinking Charles might actually have a good idea for once. 

Turned out, he’d given Charles way too much credit. 

Seeing how unimpressed Shepard looked, Charles hurried to clarify, “I’m not telling you to actually go after another girl. Just fake a love rival. 

“Give Briana a little emotional jolt, and make her confront her true feelings. If she gets mad or jealous, that means she definitely has feelings for you.” 

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