Hope Crawls Through Ruins by Kain Rwan Vale 99

Chapter 99 

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Watching Shepard and Briana getting all lovey–dovey, Evelyn felt more rejuvenated than any tonic could ever 

manage. 

Her spirits and color perked up right before everyone’s eyes. 

“Good. I really do feel much better,” Evelyn said with a big smile. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be out of here soon. And if Briana gives me some good news, I’ll recover in a flash.” 

Briana had something to say but bit her tongue at the last moment. 

‘If I kept pushing for a divorce now… Evelyn might just get so worked up s Briana worried. 

and herself back in the ER. 

Besides, Shepard had covered for her and stood up for her at the Lane residence. She couldn’t just turn her back on him now. 

While Briana was lost in thought, Shepard bent close and murmured in her ear, “Go ahead, keep pushing for a divorce and see if Grandma doesn’t pass out from rage again.” 

Briana gritted her teeth. “You shameless jerk!” 

“Like you’re any better,” Shepard shot back with a smirk. 

With that, he flashed a faint smile. “Mom, Dad, Grandma, we’re heading out now.” 

Richard looked like he wanted to say something, but held back. 

And just like that, Shepard openly and confidently carried Briana out of the hospital room. 

As soon as they walked out, Evelyn signaled Richard with her 

“Huh?” Richard didn’t catch on. “Mom, what is it?” 

eyes. 

“Go follow them and see what they’re up to. What if they walk out that door and start acting like strangers? I’m stuck here, so you have to keep an eye on them for me,” Evelyn said. 

Richard finally got it and nodded quickly. “Alright, alright. I’ll go take a look.” 

He was just as curious. 

“I’m going, too,” Isabelle said. 

Evelyn waved them off. “Alright, alright. Go ahead. Come back and let me know what you find out.” 

Evelyn still had her doubts. No way she believed Shepard and Briana were suddenly all good again. 

In the hallway, Shepard carrying Briana was a real showstopper. Heads were turning left and right–they were getting all the looks. 

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Chapter 99 

Briana wriggled in his arms and said, “It’s just us now. Can you put me down?” 

“Are you sure?” Isabelle pressed. 

Briana looked confused. “Sure about what?” 

“Is it really just us?” Shepard pressed. 

Briana answered without thinking, “Of course.” 

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Shepard said calmly, “Take a look behind us.” 

Just as she was about to turn, Shepard whispered, “Be smart. Don’t let th 

Briana nestled her head against his shoulder, just her eyes peeking out. 

She glanced around and immediately spotted Richard and Isabelle. 

ice you.” 

They were skulking around, trying to act sneaky. 

Briana could totally tell they were hoping to hide themselves in the crowd, moving up and down the hallway. 

But they still stuck out like a sore thumb. 

“Your parents… Are they following us?” Briana whispered. “What’s going on?” 

“Obviously, they just want to see if we’ll suddenly start acting like total strangers the second we walk out of that room,” Shepard said. 

Briana shot him a glare, practically grinding her teeth. “Shepard, this mess is all on you.” 

He’d made such a big show at his grandma’s bedside, swearing he’d never let her go. 

If they really did split up, all the blame would land on Briana. 

“You think I’d just give you and Henry my blessing? Keep dreaming,” Shepard sneered. 

Briana snorted, “Same for you and Vivian. Dream on!” 

“It’s not like we have a kid, but you do,” Shepard pointed out. 

“What, you wanna play daddy to someone else’s kid?” Briana shot back. 

Shepard just shrugged, “Just get rid of it, then.” 

‘He’s still trying to make me have an abortion? Unbelievable!‘ Briana fumed. 

She didn’t say another word and just sank her teeth into his shoulder. 

Her teeth went right through the fabric of his shirt. 

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Chapter 99 

She bit down hard, not holding back at all. 

Shepard frowned. “Briana, did you turn into a zombie or something?” 

She didn’t answer but just bit down even harder. 

Shepard hissed in pain. 

He stopped in his tracks and set Briana down. 

Briana was a little surprised. 

‘Am I really free now? Is he really letting me go?‘ she wondered, not quite tasting it. 

As soon as her feet hit the floor, Briana made a break for it. 

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But Shepard grabbed her wrist, took two quick steps, and backed her right into the corner of the wall. 

“What do you want…” Briana barely got the words out before Shepard made a move. 

Shepard lowered his head and claimed her lips, stopping her mid–sentence. 

Briana sucked in a sharp breath. 

‘Right now? He’s actually kissing me? He has totally lost his mind,’ she thought, still in disbelief. 

But it didn’t take long for Briana to figure out what he was up to. 

First, Shepard was making sure Richard and Isabelle saw everything from a distance. 

Second, he bit her lip hard, getting back at her for chomping down on his shoulder just moments ago. 

Her lip throbbed with sudden pain. 

Soon enough, Briana tasted her own blood. 

87. 87. 

‘That bastard is so damn vindictive. Alright, two can play that game, Briana thought, not backing down one bit. 

She grabbed Shepard by the neck, stood on her tiptoes, and went in for a savage bite of her own. 

To anyone watching, it just looked like they were totally making out, hot and heavy. 

They were caught up in a wild, no–holds–barred kiss, tangled up together like there was no tomorrow. 

By the time they were done, neither could even tell whose blood it was anymore. 

The pain didn’t even register anymore. 

They just felt numb all over. 

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Chapter 99 

Richard held up a newspaper to cover his face, eyes wide in disbelief. “Did they just start kissing aiready? 

“Totally,” Isabelle said. “And it was Shepard who made the first move.” 

“What’s going on? Are they just putting on an act or something?” Richard muttered. 

“Who kisses someone they don’t love, and in public, no less?” Isabelle remarked. 

Richard mused, “Yeah… that does make sense.” 

“Maybe it took losing her for Shepard to finally wake up,” Isabelle: 

She continued, “People never cherish what they have until it’s gone. Briana was so hurt she decided to leave, and only then did he finally figure out who he really loves.” 

Richard stayed quiet. 

Isabelle added, “I’ve always believed Shepard’s heart belongs to Briana. Childhood friends, college sweethearts -there’s no way Vivian, who just barged in halfway, could ever take her place.” 

Seeing the two of them totally lost in each other’s kiss, Isabelle grinned to herself, totally getting it now. 

“And what about you?” Richard suddenly murmured right next to her ear. 

“Me?” Isabelle looked surprised, a little caught off guard. 

Richard continued, “I know who you care about most, but maybe what you feel is just the regret of never ending up together–not real love. 

“I’m the one who’s been with you for thirty years. If I ever take my love back, maybe then you’ll finally realize…” 

Richard left it at that. 

But he knew Isabelle got the message. 

If Isabelle and Briana’s dad had ever gotten together, they probably wouldn’t have found real happiness. 

Back then, nobody would’ve supported them, and no one would’ve wished them well. 

People would always make unfinished stories and lost love seem more perfect than they really were. 

After a moment, Isabelle sighed. “He passed away a long time ago.” 

With that, she turned and walked back toward the hospital room. 

Richard didn’t say another word, just quietly followed after her. 

Back in the corner, Briana was practically suffocating, barely able to catch her breath. 

This wasn’t kissing at all but more like they were savagely biting each other. 

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Chapter 99 

Her lips were stinging, still bleeding from all the roughness. 

Not that Shepard was doing any better himself. 

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When they finally broke apart, both their lips and the corners of their mouths were smeared with fresh blood. 

Briana swung her hand at Shepard’s face, aiming to slap him. 

But Shepard caught her wrist effortlessly, pinned it behind her back.! him. 

her chest to press up against 

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