Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 84

Posted by ADMINMMADMIN, ? Views, Released on December 26, 2025

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Chapter 84

Vivian’s voice was sweet and gentle. It just made one want to protect her.

Back when she was abroad, whenever there was extreme weather, she’d immediately video call Shepard.

They’d keep the video call going the whole time.

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If it were at night, Shepard would sleep in the guest room, keeping his phone right by his pillow so he could be there for Vivian all night.

If it were during the day, he’d keep his phone in his pocket and wear his Bluetooth earpiece, so he’d hear her the moment she said anything.

Back then, Shepard gave Vivian all the security she could ever want.

No matter how many miles separated them, Shepard was always by her side, never letting her feel alone.

Now that she was in Belaris, just a half–hour drive away, he’d come over in a heartbeat.

And yet Vivian waited for a long time, but there was still no response from Shepard.

“Shep? Shep?” she called out softly, a little unsure. “Are you listening? Can you come over right now?”

After a long pause, Shepard finally spoke. “I can’t make it tonight.”

“Oh, it’s not convenient? Alright,” Vivian quickly reassured him. “It’s fine. You go ahead and do your thing. I’ll put in my earplugs, lock up all the doors and windows, and I’ll be alright.”

“Okay,” Shepard replied.

Vivian felt her heart sink.

He just agreed, just like that.

‘Where is all that care and concern he used to have? Where does it all go? What could he possibly be so busy with?‘ Vivian couldn’t help but think.

‘Is he working late at the office right now? Or maybe he’s in the study at Carter Estate? Or is he with Briana right now?‘ she wondered.

The thought made Vivian even more anxious, and her hand accidentally knocked over the water cup on her nightstand.

Water spilled everywhere, soaking the sheets.

‘Surely he heard that, right?‘ Vivian thought, a little flustered.

But on the other end, it was completely quiet, just the soft sound of his breathing.

Vivian bit her lip. “Why don’t you get some rest, Shep?”

“Okay,” Shepard replied.

Then Shepard hung up.

He started the car, slammed on the gas, and sped out of Evergreen Estate.

The engine’s roar was crystal clear in the quiet of the night.

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Chapter 84

He said he was going to see Vivian right away, but what did he actually do?

He just went back to Carter Estate by himself, turning down Vivian’s invitation without a second thought.

‘He says one thing but means another, she thought. ‘He talks tough, but his actions totally give him away!

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On the second floor, Henry stood by the window, slightly pulled back the curtain, and watched as Shepard’s car drove off into the night.

Then he let the curtain fall and turned to look at Charles, who was lying on the bed.

“I’m counting on you to look after Briana, Henry,” Charles hiccupped, his words slurred. “With you around, I can really

relax.”

“Alright, I’m heading downstairs. You should get some sleep,” Henry said.

“Go on. You two should spend some time together and get closer. Briana’s a great girl, so sweet and thoughtful,” Charles mumbled.

Charles was still mumbling something, but Henry had already left the room and closed the door behind him.

He went downstairs and glanced over at the living room sofa.

It was empty.

The blanket was tossed carelessly over the armrest, half of it hanging down to the floor.

There was no sign of Briana anywhere.

“Briana? Briana?” Henry called out for her.

He kept calling her name, but there was no answer.

‘Where could she have gone in just a few minutes?‘ Henry wondered.

‘Don’t tell me Shepard just dragged her off!‘ Henry thought, his heart skipping a beat.

Henry’s face darkened.

Just as he was about to rush out, his phone buzzed.

It was a message from Briana.

[Henry, I’ve already taken a cab to the hospital. Thanks for your concern. It’s getting late, so you should head home and get some rest.]

She slipped off to the hospital on her own, without telling anyone.

Henry remembered, she’d said right in front of Shepard that she’d only go if he was with her.

‘So that was just for Shepard to hear, huh?‘ Henry thought, feeling a little let down.

Henry stared at his phone for a long while before finally typing out: [Okay.]

Just then, a deafening thunderclap split the silence.

Right after, rain started pounding against the windows, loud and relentless.

After hours of howling wind, the storm finally broke loose.

16:39 Fri, Dec 26 MA

Chapter 84

Lightning tore through the darkness.

The rain was coming down in sheets.

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Vivian stood by the window, watching as fat raindrops slammed against the glass, while outside, the trees were tossed around by the wind.

‘Am I scared?‘ she wondered. ‘Not at all.‘

She was just putting on an act for Shepard, playing the damsel in distress to trigger his macho side and make him want to protect her.

What Vivian cared about most was her own prospects and the Fletcher family’s interests.

Only by marrying Shepard could she lock in her status for good and finally make that leap up the social ladder.

Without Shepard, Vivian was just another face in the crowd, no privileged background, no standout looks, totally invisible wherever she went.

Everything she had now didn’t come easy.

She

put

her life on the line to get all this.

She had to cling to it; no one would ever snatch it from her!

The doorbell

rang.

N

Vivian wondered if she was just imagining things.

‘Who the hell would be ringing my doorbell this late, and in this crazy storm?‘ she thought. Did Shepard actually come? Did he finish up and rush over to be with me?‘

Vivian’s face lit up with joy, and she immediately turned and dashed toward the door.

“Shep!” she called out, her voice full of excitement.

She didn’t even glance at the screen, just threw the door wide open.

But when she saw Eric standing there, her smile froze on her face.

‘Seriously? Why him?‘ Vivian thought, her heart dropping.

Another thunderclap split the night.

Lightning lit up Eric’s face, casting sharp shadows.

He looked downright demonic.

Scratch that, he was the devil himself!

“Disappointed it’s not Shepard, huh?” Eric said, a sly grin on his face. “You really don’t want to see me? I’m your ace in the hole, you know, the one who’s gonna help you become the future Mrs. Carter,”

As he spoke, he just walked right in, like he owned the place.

Vivian gripped the doorknob tight, clenched her jaw, and slammed the door shut. The moment she turned around, she switched gears instantly, putting on a whole new face.

No more sulking or blank stares, now she was all soft smiles, looking sweet as ever.

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Chapter 84

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“You just show up again, no heads–up or anything?” Vivian said, trailing after him. “You’re not scared Shepard’s here or something?”

“He’s at Evergreen Estate with Briana right now. No way he’d come here,” Eric replied.

Vivian’s face went ghostly pale.

The one thing Vivian dreaded most, Eric just called her out on it, no mercy.

Shepard was really with Briana right now.

Eric just made himself comfortable on the couch, grinning at her. “Tonight, it’s just you and me. Vivian, with my help, your thing with Shepard is out in the open now.