Chapter 76
Honestly, Briana was caught off guard.
In her eyes, Shepard and Vivian had been in cahoots for a long time.
Impossible. Last night was actually their first time? Briana couldn’t wrap her head around it.
innocence. He wanted to wait
Vivian revealed the answer, “Shep said he didn’t want to ruin my reputation or take away my in until the day he could be with me out in the open, and only then would he have all of me.”
“Wait, why does that line sound so familiar? Briana thought. Tve heard those exact words before. Word for word. Not a single difference. Shepard told me the same thing back then.
And then he went and said the same thing to Vivian.
Just how many people can his heart hold? Briana wondered bitterly. And how many people can he really love?
Briana let out a laugh, the irony clear in her voice.
Men always have a way with words; they can toss out the same romantic lines to any woman they want, she thought.
So all these years, Shep and I have stayed completely innocent. Even when we shared a bed, he never touched me. That’s how he shows me respect and proves just how much he cherishes me.” Vivian said, pride in her voice.
Seeing Briana’s expression, Vivian raised her chin a little. “Briana, you look pretty surprised.”
“Yeah,” Briana admitted. “He’s got some serious self–control, and you’ve got some serious patience.
“Since he respects me, I respect him, too, Vivian replied.
“Heh,” Briana scoffed, a mocking smile on her lips. “Well, congrats to you both. Last night, one of you finally couldn’t resist anymore, and the other decided not to wait any longer.”
Vivian twirled her hair, looking smug. Honestly, if you’d had even a little bit of skill or brains, you could’ve won Shep back countless times in the past five years.
“Even if you couldn’t get his heart, getting pregnant wouldn’t have been a problem. Shep’s a regular guy, and he’s got needs, you knowTM
“But no, you went for the dumbest move, drugging him. That just made him disgusted with you, and now he can’t even be bothered to care.
“With someone like you as my competition, I really got lucky. I didn’t have to do a thing; you managed to ruin your own chances all by yourself, Vivian sneered.
“Oh, and one more thing,” Vivian said, her tone sharp. “Shep didn’t use protection last night.”
Briana stood motionless, just staring at the smug smirk on Vivians face.
Countless nights, she’d cried alone, convinced Shepard didn’t want her, sure he and Vivian had been sleeping together for
ages.
All those tears, what a waste.
Shepard might’ve lost interest in her, maybe even caught feeling for someone else, but at the end of the day, he was still Shepard
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Chapter 76
Who he was inside hadn’t changed.
They’d been childhood friends, together for ages, and he never even laid a finger on her.
So when he fell for Vivian, he would not just throw all that out the window.
But now that Briana knew, so what?
He never cheated with his body, but his heart was never loyal. He was always emotionally cheating, all the time.
“Are you done?” Briana said, unusually calm. “Go ahead and leave
“I will. But Briana, you really need to see how things stand; everything that’s happening right now is working out for me.” Vivian said confidently.
Vivian stood tall and proud, as she’d already won.
Her aura was almost intimidating.
But deep down, only she knew just how insecure she really was
It was all just an act. She was empty–handed, and only she knew i
Shepard’s love was all she had to hold onto. But even that love wasn’t as strong or passionate as it used to be
So Vivian was panicking; she had no cards left to play, nothing to fall back on.
That was why she couldn’t wait to run to Briana and brag that she was Shepard’s woman now, and next she’d get pregnant, finally step into the Carter family, and claim the title of his wife
Briana spoke up, her tone icy and indifferent. “Vivian, I’m not interested in fighting over Shepard. I’m done with him; he’s all yours if you want him.
“Go ahead and pick up what I’ve already tossed aside. Guess you’ve always liked secondhand stuff”
She continued, “The man I couldn’t care less about, you treat like he’s some kind of treasure. That’s just sad…
“And now you’re here, showing off just because you finally got him in bed? Even sadder. Honestly, I’ve got this feeling. My past is about to become your future.”
Loving Shepard hurt like hell. Briana was done suffering. She’d already clawed her way out. But Vivian was still trapped, sinking even deeper into the mess.
With th
With that, Briana strode off toward the gallery.
Vivian’s face twisted with emotion like Briana had just hit a nerve “Tl have a way better life than you!
“Because I’ve got Shep’s heart. How could I ever end up like you ou were desperate, clinging to him. I wasn’t”
Briana couldn’t be bothered to respond.
Vivian yelled even louder. “Did you hear me, Briana? Who do you think you are, trying to compare yourself to me? I’ve got Shep. I’ve got power, I’ve got it all. What do you have! You’ve just been giving and giving, and for what?”
Briana didn’t even look back; she just ignored Vivian completely treating her like some stray dog yapping in the background.
Vivian hinged forward, trying to grab Briana.
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“Hey, what the hell are you doing?” Olivia suddenly rushed over and blocked Vivian’s path. “Seriously, what’s wrong with you? Are you crazy or just desperate for attention?
“Can you act like you’ve got some class? Or did you get bitten by a rabid dog?”
Olivia’s tongue was way more savage than Briana’s.
Briana was all about throwing shade and sly sarcasm.
But Olivia called people out straight up, never needed to curse, but every word cut deep,
Vivian stared at her, surprised. You?
Olivia never missed a chance to roast her.
Vivian always lost, every single time.
Now that she was back in the country, she hadn’t expected Olivia to be back, too.
Olivia rolled her eyes. “Wow, acting like you’re all that, always jumping around trying to get attention.
“Vivian, even if you claw your way up and take someone else’s man, you’ll always be a mistress. That tag’s never coming off
Vivian snapped, “Why are you butting in? Mind your own business, me and Briana can handle our own drama
“Oh, I’ll butt in all I want. What are you gonna do about it? You’d better learn to keep a low profile and stop showing off like you’re some big deal.
“If you keep acting all high and mighty just because you think you’ve got backup. I’ll mess you up myself. Wanna see if I’m
serious Olivia fired back.
Really, Olivia? You actually wanna fight me now?” Vivian snapped, her voice full of challenge.
“Touching you would just dirty my hands,” Olivia sneered. “You’ve got five seconds to leave. Otherwise, I’ll have security toss you out.”
Not even waiting for Vivian to respond. Olivia launched straight to her countdown. “Five, four, three
Olivia always meant what she said, and with the Hughes family backing her up, she was fearless; nothing in this world could
scare her.
In Belaris, everyone knew Olivia’s fiery temper, Vivian didn’t want to embarrass herself. She clenched her jaw, swallowed her pride, and hurried away.
Olivia shrugged. “Good, at least you know your place.”
Olivia turned on her heel and hurried over to Briana, her tough girl act melting away in an instant; now she was all sweetness and charm:
“Babe,” Olivia said, her voice soft and playful. “It’s been days! Come on, let me get a kiss.”
Briana stepped back. “Hey, hold back a little. If someone sees us, they’ll get the wrong idea and think we’re dating.”
“Come on, we totally are a couple,” Olivia winked, laying it on thick. “Honestly, you’re the one I’ve loved the most.
“All these years, I’ve been your loyal sidekick, secretly crushing on you, hiding my feelings like it’s same forbidden romance”
Briana shivered, rolling her eyes. “Cut it out, seriously.”
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Chapter 77
Chapter 77
