Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 232

Chapter 232 

“There are plenty of women who’d love to live with you. You’re ever short of a lady of the house, Briana said, pausing for a beat. “Like Camila. She’d kill for it.” 

Shepard tightened his grip on her shoulder. “Someone’s jealous, Briana.” 

He smirked at her. 

Briana bit her lip, then suddenly stomped hard on his foot, shook off his hand, and stormed off. 

Shepard looked down at the footprint on his leather shoe. 

‘Good. That’s a relief, he thought. 

Her anger meant she still cared. That was reassuring. 

What really scared him was the thought of her turning cold, distint, and completely detached. 

Night had fallen completely. 

The moon peeked over the willow branches. 

In the dining room of Evergreen Estate, the servants were bringing out the dishes one by one. 

“Where’s Charles?” Briana asked. “Is he not joining us for dinner 

“Mr. Lane isn’t home,” the servant replied. 

“He still hasn’t come back?” Briana pressed. 

“I’m not really sure where he is,” the servant answered. 

‘Where did Charles go?‘ Briana wondered to herself. 

‘Wait… Is he really not coming home, just so he can leave the house for Shepard and me?‘ The thought made her heart skip a beat. 

Suddenly, Briana felt a jolt of surprise. 

Briana turned to Shepard, her eyes narrowing. “What did you sa to Charles?” 

“Me?” Shepard replied, raising an eyebrow. 

“Exactly. Otherwise, why would he just not come home out of nowhere?” Briana pressed. 

Shepard let out a quiet sigh. “Briana, you’re really misunderstanding me. Why do you think I said something to him? Maybe he just wants to give us some time alone.” 

Briana slightly parted her lips, unable to reply. 

“By the way, tomorrow’s your regular prenatal checkup. The hospital’s all set for you,” Shepard said to her. 

‘Prenatal checkup, Briana mused. 

She glanced down at her slightly rounded belly. 

She wasn’t really showing yet. With loose clothes, nobody could fell at all. 

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Chapter 232 

But this little one had just been quietly growing inside her, never causing any trouble. 

My baby’s been so sweet, Briana thought to herself. 

Aside from a little morning sickness now and then, she hadn’t had any issues at all. 

Shepard glanced down at her belly, too. 

The next moment, his hand settled gently on her stomach. 

His grip was warm and reassuring. 

His hand was big, pressing firmly against her belly. 

“Baby,” Shepard’s voice was deep and rich, with a magnetic quality. “I’m your dad.” 

Briana froze. 

‘No matter what, he really was the father of her baby. There was no changing that, Briana thought. 

At that moment, the reality of it all hit her. Suddenly, it felt so vivid and undeniable. 

Together, they were nurturing a new life, a tiny being made from half of her and half of him. 

Shepard didn’t catch the subtle change in Briana’s expression. 

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He kept his head bowed, his palm softly caressing Briana’s belly. Be good, little one. Don’t make things too hard for your mom.” 

It was almost unbearably heartwarming. 

It was just a regular day, homemade food, and the cozy vibe of home. 

Maybe this was the embodiment of happiness. 

All those things she’d been chasing for so long. Maybe she already had them now. 

Briana made herself look away. 

‘Don’t let yourself get swept away!‘ she warned herself. 

But just as she was getting her head back, Shepard suddenly asked, “Briana, do you want a boy or a girl?” 

She was taken aback for a moment, then answered instinctively, A boy.” 

“Why?” Shepard looked surprised. “You want a son?” 

“I just think girls have it tougher than boys. Society still cuts men slacker than women. And besides,” Briana met Shepard’s eyes, ‘you’re the only son in the Carter family, so you’d probably want this one to be a boy, right?” 

After all, the Carter family really did have a throne to inherit. It was insane wealth and a multinational corporation here. 

“Don’t worry about what they want. I only care about what you want,” Shepard said, looking straight at her. “What do you really want?” 

“It really doesn’t matter to me,” Briana said. “Boy or girl, I’ll love them with all my heart and do my best to raise them right.” 

“But Briana, I want a daughter,” Shepard said softly, his eyes gentle. 

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Chapter 232 

Briana blinked, caught off guard. “Why?” 

Shepard’s lips curled into a faint smile. “A daughter would be jus like you who’d always look out for me, my little sweetheart.” 

‘So sons can’t look out for you?‘ Briana teased, raising an eyebrow 

“Sons just make a racket and stir up trouble,” Shepard replied with a smirk. 

Briana pouted. “Who knows, maybe your son will surprise you and be super well–behaved.” 

“Yeah, either way is fine,” Shepard said thoughtfully. “Boy or girl, as long as they’re healthy and safe, that’s all I care about. If we get both–a son and a daughter–that’d be perfect.” 

Briana’s voice jumped. “Wait, you already want a second kid?” 

‘He’s really got some guts, she thought. 

‘I’m barely pregnant with this one and he’s already planning for the next?‘ Briana sighed. 

‘Did I ever say I’d have another baby for him?‘ she grumbled to herself. 

‘We’re not even done fighting over the divorce yet!‘ Briana grumbled to herself. 

“It’s totally your call, whatever you say goes,” Shepard rushed to explain. “Briana, I was just saying.” 

He looked super tense, scanning her face for any sign she might blow up. 

He was so scared of ticking her off, he figured he might not even get the couch. He’d be lucky to crash on the floor tonight. 

“Come on, let’s eat,” Shepard said, ladling out a bowl of soup and setting it in front of her. “Have some soup first, to warm you up.” 

He was practically doting on her. 

Briana still couldn’t get used to this side of him. 

He used to be so cocky. 

“Could you just act normal for once?” Briana blurted out. “Just be yourself.” 

Shepard blinked. “Wait, I’m not normal?” 

He looked himself over, patted his face, then turned to the servant nearby. “Do I seem off to you?” 

“No, of course not, Mr. Carter,” the servant stammered, not daring to say more. “You’re totally fine.” 

Briana tried to keep a straight face, but she couldn’t hold back a hugh and giggled out loud. 

She quickly picked up her soup and took small sips, trying to hide her smile. 

Shepard couldn’t help but laugh, too. 

In the morning, at the obstetrics department of the hospital, Brina walked into the exam room while Shepard waited outside. 

If it weren’t for that “No Men Allowed” sign hanging on the door he would’ve barged in already. 

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