Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 3 Summary
In “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” Marina finds herself engulfed in a tumultuous emotional storm after a confrontation with Lavern, her partner. The chapter opens with Marina expressing her disbelief and frustration over Lavern’s dismissive attitude towards a woman named Shawna, who seems to be a source of tension between them. Lavern’s nonchalant demeanor, even after Marina’s slap, only deepens her sense of betrayal and confusion. As the couple leaves the bridal shop, Marina’s anger boils beneath the surface, leading to a struggle between her desire for independence and Lavern’s controlling grip.
Marina’s internal conflict intensifies when Lavern insists on driving her home, showcasing his possessiveness. Despite her attempts to break free from his hold, she finds herself reluctantly pulled into his car, where an innocuous hair clip becomes a symbol of Lavern’s infidelity. Their argument escalates, with Lavern accusing Marina of embarrassing Shawna and prioritizing his business over their relationship. This confrontation reveals Lavern’s manipulative nature, as he gaslights Marina, twisting her feelings and making her question her reactions.
As the day unfolds, Marina’s frustration culminates in a car accident, which introduces a mysterious man from her past, reigniting memories and emotions she thought were buried. The encounter leaves her feeling unsettled, and as she returns home to face Lavern’s messages, she decides to purge her life of his remnants. Her actions reflect a growing resolve to reclaim her identity and reject the toxic aspects of her relationship.
Three days later, Lavern’s attempt to reconnect with Marina is met with her cold detachment. The tension between them is palpable as she confronts him about his infidelity, feeling empowered yet disgusted by his attempts to charm her back. The emotional climax occurs when Lavern’s casual affection triggers a visceral reaction in Marina, culminating in a slap that serves as both a release and a declaration of her strength. This moment encapsulates her struggle against Lavern’s control and her journey towards self-assertion, leaving her with a mix of anger and determination as she grapples with the reality of their fractured relationship.
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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
“No,” Marina replied, her voice barely above a whisper, but firm. In her mind, a storm of thoughts swirled. Just one slap! How could that possibly make me feel any better? The idea felt absurd, like trying to extinguish a raging fire with a mere drop of water.
Lavern, unfazed, took the very hand she had just slapped him with and gently brushed a soft kiss across her palm, his lips lingering for just a heartbeat longer than necessary. “Did that hurt?” he asked, his tone light, almost teasing. “Once we’re home, I’ll explain everything properly, alright? There’s no need to get worked up over someone who doesn’t matter.”
Marina dropped her gaze, a flicker of sorrow crossing her eyes like a shadow passing over the sun. This must be that age-old guy thing, she mused. Unless you catch them red-handed, they’ll never admit they’re wrong.
“Someone who doesn’t matter? You mean Ms. Thornton?” Marina tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized Shawna’s face, searching for any hint of defiance.
Shawna stood there, her complexion as pale as a sheet, rigid and unmoving like a mannequin. All the earlier confidence that had radiated from her when she first strutted into the shop was now completely extinguished.
“Yes,” Lavern replied, his answer landing like a stone, firm and without a hint of wavering.
Shawna blanched even further, her lips pressing into a thin line, as if she were trying to hold back a flood of emotions.
As they stepped out of the bridal shop, Marina marched straight toward her car, her heart pounding with a mixture of anger and confusion.
“Ride with me,” Lavern insisted, his grip suddenly tightening as he pulled her close with unyielding force. “I’ll drive you home.”
She struggled to break free, but his grip was ironclad; no matter how much she twisted and turned, she couldn’t shake him off. Instead, she found herself being hauled over to his car, feeling as if she were being dragged along against her will.
Lavern opened the passenger door, and there, resting innocently on the sleek gray-and-black seat, was a pink-and-white hair clip.
He reached in without a hint of urgency, picking it up as if it were the most mundane object in the world.
Marina let out a scoff, her irritation bubbling over. “Might want to give it a once-over, check for any other personal goodies hidden away? If I stumble on some underwear in there, I’ll need therapy for my eyes.”
Lavern, who had been maintaining a calm facade until now, suddenly erupted like a cat whose tail had been yanked. “Marina, why does your mind always dive straight into the dirt? I love you, but I won’t put up with this. What happened today is a one-off, and it better stay that way. Ross Group is right on the verge of breaking through to the next level, and I can’t avoid having female colleagues or partners in the mix.”
“You embarrassed Shawna today,” he continued, his voice rising. “I’m overlooking it because she’s just entry-level. But if you pull the same stunt on some influential woman down the line, going all impulsive like that, how’s Ross Group supposed to keep growing?”
Marina held his stare, her bright, clear eyes now frosted over with a chill that matched her rising anger. It was dawning on her just how masterful Lavern was at gaslighting, twisting her feelings into knots.
She didn’t argue or hop into his car. Instead, with a swift motion, she turned on her heel and slid back into her own vehicle, the engine roaring to life as she sped off, leaving him behind.
With people milling about outside the bridal shop, Lavern didn’t bother chasing after her to save face. He jerked his door open, scowling like a storm cloud gathering overhead. As he leaned in to take his seat, he caught sight of Shawna emerging from the shop, her pretty face drained of color, a ghost of her former self.
He paused for a moment, then waved her over, his voice clipped. “Get in.”
Meanwhile, Marina frowned at the sleek black luxury car ahead of her, its back bumper dented in, a license plate that was just a string of “8’s” staring back at her.
She had spaced out for just a moment and rear-ended it. Full blame on her; she’d have to pay for letting her mind wander into the abyss.
With a mix of trepidation and regret, she swung her door open, stepping out to apologize to the driver climbing out of the other vehicle. “Sorry, I…”
The other driver gave her a quick once-over, his expression unreadable, and instead of responding, he respectfully swung open the rear door.
Out stepped a tall, striking figure. The man’s shirt was buttoned meticulously to the top, his chiseled features set in an air of unapproachable indifference that made her heart race for reasons she couldn’t quite understand.
The moment her eyes met his, a flash of memory hit Marina like a jolt. She thought, ‘I know this guy: he is Dar…’
Before she could utter a word, he had already strode away, lounging casually against the roadside barrier with his phone pressed to his ear in his left hand. A light breeze occasionally ruffled his tousled hair, revealing his broad forehead, and she couldn’t help but feel the pull of familiarity.
“Miss, just hit me up once the car’s fixed, and I’ll set up a time for you to grab it,” the driver said, passing her a business card with a smooth, practiced motion.
Marina snuck a glance over at him. He was deep in his call, his brow furrowing slightly as he encountered some kind of snag. Now and then, he would idly poke at a bird perched on the railing, seemingly unfazed by the world around him.
Ten minutes later, a sleek van rolled up, and he hopped in without a hitch, while the driver lingered to wrap things up. Just before sliding into the van, his eyes flicked her way, and Marina quickly averted her gaze, feeling an odd sense of guilt wash over her.
By the time all the paperwork was finalized and the details noted, it was well into the night when she finally made it home, the weight of the day pressing heavily on her shoulders.
Lavern had pinged her with another message in the meantime, but Marina ignored it again, her heart too weary to deal with his antics.
Exhausted, she washed up quickly and collapsed onto her bed, sinking into a deep sleep, hoping to escape the turmoil of her thoughts.
The next day, she lined up viewings for interested buyers through the real estate app and, in the process, purged and ditched a ton of stuff. Most of it consisted of cheap trinkets Lavern had gifted her back in their college days—things she had once cherished, but now, in the light of reality, they felt tacky and worthless, just like Lavern himself.
Three days later, Lavern walked in to find Marina out in the garden, tending to some newly bloomed roses, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the tension brewing between them.
He approached from behind, slipping his arms around her waist and pulling her close with an affectionate squeeze. “Babe, miss me?” he asked, his voice low and warm.
Marina scoffed coldly, her heart hardening. “With a lovely sidepiece keeping you company, why would you need me pining away? You’d probably rather I forget you exist so I don’t interrupt your cozy rendezvous.”
Her voice was detached as she replied, and in his momentary lapse of judgment, she twisted free from his embrace, feeling empowered by her defiance.
A subtle whiff of women’s perfume clung to him, drifting over and making her stomach churn with nausea.
Lavern reacted lightning-fast, grabbing her waist and hauling her back against him, his firm muscles radiating heat even through his shirt, a reminder of the affection she once felt for him.
Marina wriggled, but he just clamped down harder around her waist, pinning her in place. “You’re the only one I love. Cut it out, okay?” He bent slightly, whispering in her ear, his tone low and sultry as he tried to placate her, but all she felt was a rising tide of revulsion.
Marina’s fingers dug in tight, and as a rose thorn pierced her skin, drawing a bead of blood, the sharp pain was nothing compared to the disgust bubbling up inside her.
She dropped her hand, letting the rose stems scatter across the ground like her hopes.
Lavern noticed, lifting her hand to inspect the cut on her finger, his brow creasing with concern. He leaned down, his lips poised to suck the blood from her still-oozing fingertip.
The instant her finger grazed his warm lips, Marina’s face contorted in horror.
How could he spend three days fooling around with Shawna and then come back here, acting all lovey-dovey like it was nothing?
Who knows how many kisses those lips have shared with Shawna? Disgusting! Utterly disgusting!
In a pure rage, Marina lashed out quick and sharp, slapping him hard across his sharp, handsome face. Her palm buzzed with numbness from the impact, but it felt good—like a release.
He didn’t move a muscle, just stared her down with a face like stone, his eyes filled with an indescribable chill that sent shivers down her spine.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of their emotional clash, Marina stood at the precipice of a pivotal transformation. The slap she had delivered was not just a physical act; it symbolized her reclaiming power over a relationship that had long felt suffocating. As she watched Lavern’s expression harden, she felt a surge of clarity wash over her, illuminating the shadows of doubt that had clouded her judgment for so long. The vibrant roses she tended to in her garden mirrored her own blossoming strength, each petal a reminder that beauty could still thrive amid chaos. With each passing moment, she began to recognize her worth, understanding that love should not come at the expense of her dignity or self-respect.
Meanwhile, Lavern’s cold stare spoke volumes about his inability to grasp the depth of her pain, a stark contrast to the warmth he once offered. The facade of affection he attempted to restore only deepened the chasm between them, revealing the cracks in their relationship that could no longer be ignored. As Marina let the rose stems scatter like her hopes for reconciliation, she felt the weight of his betrayal lift, replaced by an invigorating sense of freedom. The winds that had once carried lost promises now whispered of new beginnings, and with each breath, she embraced the possibility of a life unshackled from the chains of a love that no longer served her. In this moment of clarity, she resolved to forge her own path, one where she could nurture her own dreams and desires, leaving behind the remnants of a love that had turned bitter.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of *Winds Carry Lost Promises*, readers can expect the tension between Marina and Lavern to escalate further, as the emotional fallout from their tumultuous encounter reaches a boiling point. With Marina’s simmering anger and Lavern’s attempts at control, the stage is set for a confrontation that could either break them apart or force them to confront the underlying issues that have plagued their relationship. As Marina grapples with her feelings of betrayal and disgust, she must also navigate the complexities of her past with Lavern, questioning whether their love can withstand the cracks that have begun to show.
Additionally, the mysterious figure from the accident—Dar—may become a pivotal character in Marina’s journey. His unexpected appearance seems to trigger memories and emotions she thought were buried, hinting at a deeper connection that could complicate her already strained relationship with Lavern. As Marina begins to rediscover her sense of self amidst the chaos, the question looms: will she choose to confront the painful truths of her past, or will she remain tethered to a love that feels increasingly suffocating? The winds of change are blowing, and with them, lost promises may either be reclaimed or left behind forever.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
