Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 4 Summary
In “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” Marina grapples with a surge of frustration as she navigates the emotional turmoil surrounding her relationship with Lavern. Over the past few days, she has been bombarded with images of Lavern and Shawna, which have pierced her heart as their wedding approaches. While Lavern seems nonchalant about his living arrangement with Shawna, Marina feels the weight of their impending marriage and the need to protect her own interests. She confronts Lavern about a property split agreement, highlighting her desire for independence even as they prepare to commit to each other.
The tension escalates as Lavern dismisses her concerns, believing that after seven years together, she would never truly consider leaving him. However, Marina stands firm, insisting that they need to establish boundaries before tying the knot. Their interaction is filled with sarcasm and underlying pain, revealing the cracks in their relationship. Despite Lavern’s initial agreement to sign the document, Marina’s insistence on having it notarized creates a rift between them, leading to a heated argument that culminates in Lavern storming out of the house.
In the aftermath of their confrontation, Marina seeks solace with her grandmother, Alyssa, who has been her anchor since her mother’s passing. However, when she arrives, she finds Alyssa unresponsive, a moment that sends her spiraling into panic and grief. The sudden loss of her grandmother forces Marina to confront her choices and the emotional distance she has placed between herself and her family for the sake of her tumultuous relationship with Lavern. As she grapples with the finality of death, she realizes the profound regret of prioritizing a man over the family that truly loves her.
The story captures Marina’s emotional journey from frustration and determination to despair and regret, illustrating the complexities of love, loyalty, and the consequences of her decisions. In the end, the winds of change carry away not only her promises to Lavern but also the last remnants of her familial bonds, leaving her to face the stark reality of her choices.
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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 4**
Marina felt the familiar surge of frustration rising within her, an impulse so strong it almost compelled her to unleash a torrent of words that would leave no room for misunderstanding. Instead, she pivoted sharply on her heel, her back now turned to Lavern, and strode purposefully into the house, determined to regain her composure.
The past three days had been a whirlwind for her. Lavern had been drowning in work, but that didn’t mean she was idle. No, she had been inundated with a steady stream of photographs—images of him and Shawna, caught in intimate moments, moving in and out of an apartment they seemed to share. Each notification on her phone felt like a dagger, twisting just a little deeper into her heart.
With their wedding looming on the horizon, Lavern appeared unfazed, almost nonchalant about his living arrangement with Shawna. To him, it seemed like a final spree of freedom—a last hurrah before the inevitable “ball and chain” of marriage shackled him for good.
As she stepped inside, Lavern followed her, his footsteps echoing with a sense of urgency. He rifled through the kitchen cabinet, his fingers searching for the first-aid kit. When he finally found it, he emerged with a bottle of iodine and some cotton swabs, his expression grim as he approached her.
Without uttering a single word, he began to tend to her wounded hand, applying the antiseptic with careful precision. “You love these hands of yours,” he murmured, his tone soft yet firm. “Don’t go injuring yourself just to spite me.”
A sardonic smile crept onto Marina’s lips, a flicker of mischief in her eyes. “Aren’t you the one doing the hurting?” she shot back, her voice laced with dry humor.
But she didn’t linger on the subject. Instead, she reached for a document that lay nearby, thrusting it under his nose with a sense of urgency. “Review the terms. If everything looks good, sign on the dotted line.”
Lavern took the paper, his striking brows knitting together as he skimmed through the contents. “A property split agreement?” he echoed, confusion evident in his voice.
Marina nodded, her response barely above a whisper. “Yeah.”
He chuckled, tossing the file aside as if it were a trivial matter. “We’re about to tie the knot; what’s the point of this?”
In his mind, he brushed off her concerns, convinced that after seven years together, she wouldn’t actually consider leaving him. ‘She’s just blowing off steam,’ he thought.
Marina locked her gaze with his, her expression impassive. “Precisely because we’re getting married, we need this in place. Premarital assets should remain personal, after all.”
Deep down, she understood that it was only by truly leaving that he would grasp the seriousness of her threats.
His demeanor shifted, the warmth in his eyes turning icy as he regarded her. A smirk twisted his lips, but he didn’t resist. “Fine,” he conceded, his agreement coming without hesitation.
Marina slid a pen towards him, watching intently as he scribbled his signature, annoyance simmering just beneath the surface. He handed it back with a hint of triumph. “That ought to smooth things over, right?” He moved in to wrap her in a hug, seeking comfort.
But Marina sidestepped his embrace, snatching the document from his hands. “I’ll swing by the notary to get this official. I’ll loop you in when it’s ready; I hope you can play along.”
The moment her words settled in the air, Lavern’s expression soured, his brow furrowing in disbelief. “You don’t trust me even that much?” he asked, disbelief mingling with hurt.
Marina remained silent, tucking the file securely into a sealable bag as if it were a precious gem. Her actions spoke volumes.
Lavern’s face darkened, and he towered over her with a mocking glint in his eyes. “Marina, don’t you think you’ve turned awfully greedy and shallow these days?”
She met his piercing gaze without flinching, unfazed by his jibes. “These days, love alone isn’t enough to sustain you,” she replied coolly. “Just like you can’t survive on water alone, power and money are the true essentials for life.”
In her heart, she thought, ‘A man’s love is far too fickle; only material things and money will never betray you!’
Lavern’s expression darkened further, his frustration palpable.
Marina seized the folder and made her way upstairs, pausing momentarily beside him. “I didn’t make dinner for you; fend for yourself,” she said, her tone clipped.
With that, she ascended the stairs without a backward glance, leaving Lavern standing in a storm of his own making.
His expression turned ominously dark, and with a furious motion, he stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him with a resounding crash that rattled the very foundations of their home.
Marina, however, felt no sting of regret. After safely stowing the files in the safe, she made her way to her grandmother Alyssa Finley. She needed to discuss the possibility of moving to Vufield—a change she felt was necessary.
Her mother, Kathy Finley, had succumbed to cancer not long after the divorce, leaving a void that had been filled only by her bond with Alyssa. Marina had been just a high school girl at the time, and since then, she and her grandmother had relied on one another for support and understanding.
The old courtyard stood silhouetted against the dimming light of the sunset, casting long shadows that danced along the ground.
Alyssa reclined on a lounger, soaking in the tranquil beauty of the evening sky. “Marina, is that you? Where’s Lavern?” she inquired, her voice warm and inviting.
Typically, Lavern accompanied Marina for these visits, showing unwavering loyalty to Alyssa week after week.
Not wanting to raise any alarm, Marina lowered her gaze, adopting a calm demeanor. “He’s tied up with work,” she replied, her voice steady.
Alyssa paused for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly before she insisted, “I need to see Lavern. I have something important to tell him.”
Marina felt a wave of anxiety wash over her as she realized she couldn’t dissuade her grandmother. Reluctantly, she dialed Lavern’s number, but there was no answer. She didn’t bother trying again; the tension in the air was thick enough.
After steadying her emotions, she turned back to Alyssa, forcing a smile. “Grandma, he—”
Alyssa, who had been animatedly chatting just moments before, now lay still, her eyes closed against the fading light of the sunset. Her hand hung limply over the side of the chair, her expression serene, as if she were merely napping.
Marina’s heart lurched, an inexplicable dread settling in her chest. Memories of the moment her mother had passed flooded her mind, and she reached out, trembling, to grasp her grandmother’s hand. It was still warm, but utterly unresponsive.
When the paramedics arrived, they confirmed it was a natural death, offering their condolences and urging her to take care of herself.
One moment they had been sharing stories; the next, Alyssa was gone. In a panic, Marina instinctively tried calling Lavern again.
But when the line connected, it was Shawna’s voice that answered, cool and casual. “Marina, what’s going on? The boss and I are on our way to the neighboring city…”
The moment those words reached her ears, Marina felt the color drain from her face. Without a second thought, she hung up, her heart racing.
Instead, she called Elnora in Vufield. When the call connected, her voice cracked as she managed to choke out, “Elnora, Grandma’s gone.”
Elnora’s voice was steady and reassuring. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
After hanging up, Marina covered her face with her hands, sinking to her knees beside Alyssa’s lifeless body. She pressed her face into her grandmother’s form, her shoulders shaking with the force of her sobs.
Never before had she felt such profound regret. For the sake of a man like Lavern, she had turned her back on the family that truly loved her.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of a whirlwind of emotions and unexpected loss, Marina stands at a crossroads, grappling with the weight of her choices. The sudden death of her grandmother, a pillar of strength and support, leaves an aching void that reverberates through her heart. In her pursuit of security and independence, she had distanced herself from the very relationships that had once given her solace. The realization hits her like a tidal wave; the material assurances she sought through the property agreement with Lavern pale in comparison to the love and legacy that her grandmother represented. As she kneels beside Alyssa, the gravity of her actions sinks in, and the sharp pangs of regret cut deeper than any betrayal she felt from Lavern.
Marina’s emotional arc culminates in this moment of grief, where she understands that true wealth lies not in possessions but in the bonds we forge with those who care for us unconditionally. The laughter and stories shared with Alyssa now echo in her mind, a haunting reminder of the love she took for granted. As she sobs into her grandmother’s lifeless form, she resolves to honor Alyssa’s memory by embracing the connections that truly matter, even if it means reevaluating her relationship with Lavern. In this poignant moment of clarity, Marina recognizes that the winds of change are not merely destructive; they can also carry lost promises towards new beginnings, urging her to seek a path that intertwines love, family, and authenticity.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” readers can expect to delve deeper into the emotional turmoil that Marina faces following the devastating loss of her grandmother, Alyssa. The weight of regret will bear heavily upon her, forcing her to confront the choices she made in her relationship with Lavern. As she grapples with her grief, Marina will also begin to question the foundations of her life, leading to a pivotal moment of self-discovery. The tension between her desire for independence and her lingering feelings for Lavern will reach a boiling point, setting the stage for a confrontation that could alter the course of their relationship forever.
Meanwhile, Lavern’s perspective will be explored as he navigates the fallout of his actions. With Alyssa’s death casting a shadow over their impending marriage, he will be confronted with the consequences of his choices. As he attempts to reconcile his feelings for both Marina and Shawna, readers will witness a character in turmoil, struggling to understand the depth of his own emotions. The chapter promises to unveil secrets that could shatter the fragile trust between him and Marina, leading to an explosive climax that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how their intertwined fates will unfold.
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.
