Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 5 Summary
In Chapter 5 of “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” the Finley family grapples with the aftermath of Alyssa’s funeral, relying heavily on Elnors for emotional support. Marina, Alyssa’s sister, feels a pressing urgency to return to Vrafiek, where she is determined to sever ties with her past. Before leaving, she instructs Marins to adhere to their plan, emphasizing the need for complete separation. This sets the tone for Marina’s resolve as she confronts her own grief and the decay of the once-beautiful purple roses in her garden, which symbolize love and protection.
Upon her return, Marina is struck by the sight of the neglected flowers, which prompts a surge of bitterness. In a fit of rage and determination, she uproots the wilting roses and discards them, symbolizing her desire to cleanse herself of the pain associated with her past. This act of destruction is cathartic for her, leading her to make a decisive phone call to expedite the transfer of her shares in the Ross Group, indicating her desire to move forward and reclaim her life.
As the chapter progresses, Marina’s interactions with Lavern’s assistant reveal underlying tensions. The assistant, burdened by guilt and frustration, encounters Marina amidst the chaos of discarded belongings. Their exchange underscores the emotional turmoil that both characters are experiencing, particularly as the assistant grapples with his loyalty to Marina and his new role with Lavern. Marina’s sharp corrections and dismissive attitude highlight her transformation and resolve to cut ties with her previous life.
The narrative shifts to an auction gala where Marina seeks her friend’s expertise to sell her shares. The atmosphere is charged with tension as she overhears conversations mocking Lavern’s infidelity. This moment ignites a fierce protectiveness within her, leading to a confrontation with her friend, Kara. Marina’s composed response to the gossip reflects her inner strength and determination to navigate the complexities of her situation with grace, despite the emotional turmoil she faces.
Ultimately, the chapter encapsulates Marina’s journey of self-assertion and the painful yet necessary process of letting go. As she confronts her past and the reality of her relationship with Lavern, she demonstrates resilience and a commitment to reclaiming her identity amidst the chaos of loss and betrayal.
Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below
**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 5**
A full week had slipped by since the arrangements for Alyssa’s funeral had been finalized. The air felt heavy with the weight of loss, and the Finley family now leaned entirely on Elnors for emotional support. The moment the last detail was taken care of, Alyssa’s sister, Marina, hurried back to Vrafiek, her heart racing with a sense of urgency that seemed to propel her forward without pause.
Before she departed, she turned to Marins, her expression serious. “Listen carefully,” she instructed, her voice firm. “You need to stick to the plan. Return on schedule, and make sure to sever any ties completely.”
Marina’s face was pale, a ghost of her former self, but she nodded resolutely, promising to follow through.
Upon her return to the villa, the sight that greeted her was disheartening. The once-vibrant purple roses in the yard, which had been lovingly planted by Lavern when they first bought the property, now drooped sadly, their petals wilted and yellowed from a week’s neglect. The purple roses symbolized a protective love, and their decay felt like a personal affront to Marina.
As she stood there, staring at the flowers that had once brought her joy, a flash of bitterness ignited within her. With a swift determination, she strode over to the plants, yanking them from the ground with force, uprooting them as if they were the very source of her pain. She tossed them into the trash bin with a sense of finality, her heart racing with a mix of anger and liberation.
Pulling out her phone, she dialed a number, her voice steady as she spoke. “Hello,” she began, her tone businesslike. “I’m willing to accept the price you quoted last time. If we can arrange it, I’d like to sign the contract and expedite the Transfer as soon as possible.”
The voice on the other end agreed, and they settled on a time.
Once the call ended, Marina ascended the stairs to pack her belongings. She meticulously gathered her valuables, carefully stowing them away in Alyssa’s quaint little cottage. Anything that bore the mark of Lavern was tossed aside like yesterday’s refuse, a symbolic cleansing of her past life.
When Lavern’s assistant finally arrived, he was met with a trash bin overflowing with discarded items. He raised an eyebrow, puzzled by the sight. Something about those clothes felt oddly familiar, stirring a sense of recognition within him.
As he caught sight of Marina, he called out, “Mrs…”
She raised her hand to halt him mid-sentence. “It’s Ms. Finley,” she corrected, her tone clipped and unyielding.
“Ms. Finley, Mr. Ross has a party tonight,” he continued, his voice tinged with urgency. “He sent me to retrieve a suit. Could you assist me in putting an outfit together?”
Marina’s expression remained impassive, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Why doesn’t he come to get it himself?”
The assistant lowered his gaze, guilt washing over him. “He just returned from a trip to the neighboring city and went straight to the office for urgent work.”
Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she replied, “Oh, really? I thought he was too busy enjoying himself to care.”
The assistant averted his eyes, unable to meet her piercing gaze.
Yet, she wasn’t in the mood to make his life difficult. With a glance towards the overflowing trash bin, she said flatly, “You might want to dig around in there.”
Following her line of sight, he noticed the property crew already hauling away the bin. “What?” He looked bewildered, confusion etched across his face.
Marina added nonchalantly, “Better hurry, or someone else might snatch up the good ones.”
With that, she brushed past him, her mind set on moving forward. Moments later, she ignited the engine of her car and sped off, leaving the assistant fuming in her wake.
Frustration bubbled within him as he realized he had no choice but to chase down the bins that had already been taken away.
At the Ross Group headquarters, he clutched the suit he had wrested from a scavenger’s grasp, stepping into Lavern’s office, his heart heavy with the weight of his encounter.
The clock read 12:26 PM as chaos erupted around him.
Marina had discarded an array of high-end items, and the scavengers had descended upon them like vultures. In the midst of the frenzy, someone elbowed him sharply in the eye, leaving him with a swollen, red socket. “Mr. Ross…” he managed to utter, his voice strained.
As he glanced over, he spotted Lavern and Shawna huddled closely together, their heads nearly touching. Resentment simmered within him. He thought bitterly, *Mr. Ross is the one playing around, yet I’m the one left to bear the brunt of it all.*
When Lavern caught sight of his assistant’s battered appearance, he looked up from his discussion with Shawna, concern flickering across his features. “Did Marina do that to you?” he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
Shawna’s eyes widened in shock, sympathy flooding her expression. In her mind, she recalled Marina’s erratic behavior at the bridal shop, where she had randomly splashed coffee all over her.
The assistant let out a silent sigh, wishing it had been Marina who had dealt the blow. Just six months prior, he had been her assistant, but when her health issues flared up, he was reassigned to Lavern.
In the half-year since, he had witnessed the blossoming of Lavern and Shawna’s relationship, a constant reminder of his loyalty to Marina and the guilt that gnawed at him for leaving her behind. “No, I just accidentally bumped into something,” he replied, attempting to brush off the incident.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Shawna’s face, but she had the wisdom to remain silent.
Lavern nodded, his expression terse as always. “Be careful out there.”
The assistant hesitated, his mouth opening as he contemplated revealing everything he had seen.
Just then, representatives from various fashion brands entered the room, each holding stunning gowns, ready to present their latest custom designs.
Shawna’s gloomy demeanor vanished, replaced by sheer excitement as she beheld the dresses.
Lavern, charmed by her enthusiasm, raised an eyebrow, his intense gaze softening with amusement. “Choose one. You’re joining me at an event tonight.”
Shawna’s eyes sparkled with delight as she looked at him, a mix of admiration and disbelief lighting up her face. “Really… is that alright?”
Lavern reached over, affectionately tousling her hair. “Absolutely.”
With his encouragement, Shawna sprang from her seat, eager to explore the array of dresses before her.
The assistant, feeling like an outsider, bit back his words and quietly slipped out of the office, the weight of the moment settling heavily on his shoulders.
That evening, Marina’s close friend, an expert in corporate mergers and acquisitions, had invited her to an auction gala. The timing was serendipitous; Marina needed her friend’s insight on the value of her Ross Group stock.
Determined to unload every last share she held, Marina knew that with her friend’s expertise, she would secure a far better deal than if she attempted to navigate it alone.
Upon arriving at the venue, Marina made a beeline for the second-floor VIP box her friend had indicated.
Swinging open the door, she was met with the sight of her friend lounging on the couch, her expression stormy and tense.
“Who got under your skin?” Marina asked, startled by the intensity of her friend’s mood.
The walls were thin, and before she could finish her thought, voices from the neighboring box filtered through, laughter and banter echoing in the air.
“Lavern, you really know how to enjoy life. The wedding’s next month, and here you are with a stunner like Ms. Thornton keeping you company. She’s all sweetness and light, happy to tag along without any strings attached. But tell us, how do you juggle the wife back home? Give your buddies some pointers.”
Lavern remained silent, but the sycophants surrounding him piled on their praise.
“Even if Lavern schooled you, you’d never pull it off without his charisma. Marina’s crazy about him; she’d be devastated if he left her. No chance she’d rock the boat.”
“A guy’s gotta be like Lavern—a solid red flag waving at home, while the rainbow ones fly free outside.”
Kara, Marina’s friend, erupted in anger, jumping to her feet.
Marina instinctively grabbed her arm, her skirt brushing against a coffee cup on the table, sending it clattering to the floor.
Lavern’s low voice cut through the tension. “Cut the crap. Let’s just enjoy the auction pieces.”
Kara was fuming, but one look at Marina’s composed demeanor revealed the truth; Marina had known all along.
With a scowl, Kara demanded, “And you’re okay with just swallowing this?”
Marina responded evenly, her voice steady as she projected it through the wall. “Life serves up shit sandwiches now and then. If you don’t play it cool and handle it swiftly, what are you going to do? Broadcast to everyone that you’ve got a mouthful?”
On the other side, the room fell into a pin-drop silence, the weight of her words hanging in the air like a thick fog.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of Alyssa’s funeral, Marina’s journey toward reclaiming her identity takes a tumultuous turn. The once-vibrant purple roses, now a symbol of her pain, are uprooted and discarded, mirroring her determination to sever ties with her past. The act of purging her belongings becomes a cathartic release, allowing her to confront the bitterness that has taken root within her. As she steps into the role of “Ms. Finley,” there is a palpable shift in her demeanor; she is no longer the woman defined by her familial obligations or the shadow of her sister. Instead, she embraces a newfound resolve, ready to navigate the complexities of her life with a fierce independence that had long been dormant.
As Marina arrives at the auction gala, she finds herself on the precipice of a pivotal moment, grappling with the duality of her emotions. The laughter and banter from Lavern’s circle serve as a stark reminder of the betrayal she has endured, yet her composure remains intact. With her friend by her side, she faces the reality of her circumstances head-on, refusing to let the chaos of her past dictate her future. In this moment of clarity, Marina understands that while life may serve up its challenges, it is her response to them that will ultimately define her path forward. The weight of loss may linger, but so too does the promise of liberation, as she resolves to reclaim her power and chart a course toward a brighter horizon.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the tension between Marina and her friend Kara simmers, readers can anticipate a deeper exploration of Marina’s inner turmoil as she grapples with the betrayal she feels from Lavern. The auction gala promises to be a pivotal moment, where not only will Marina confront her feelings about her marriage, but she may also encounter unexpected alliances and rivalries that could change the course of her life. With the stakes higher than ever, the atmosphere will be charged with emotions—betrayal, anger, and perhaps even a flicker of hope as Marina navigates her complicated relationships amidst the opulence of the event.
Moreover, as Lavern continues to bask in the attention of his peers, the assistant’s growing resentment may boil over, leading to a confrontation that could expose secrets long buried. The juxtaposition of Marina’s stoic facade with the chaotic, superficial world of high society will create a gripping tension, compelling readers to question how far she is willing to go to reclaim her agency. Will she find the strength to confront Lavern and his circle, or will she allow the winds of change to carry her away from the promises once made? The next chapter is set to unveil these tensions, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover what choices Marina will make in the face of overwhelming uncertainty.
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.
