Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 11 Summary
In Chapter 11 of “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” Marina finds herself in a hospital bed, grappling with the emotional distance that has grown between her and Lavern. As she observes him sitting beside her, she realizes that the warmth and passion of their past relationship have faded, leaving behind a cold and unrecognizable man. Despite her physical condition being stable, she remains resolute in her plans for their upcoming wedding, determined to not let anything derail her carefully orchestrated future. However, Lavern’s stern demeanor and insincere concern for her wellbeing reveal the underlying tension and unresolved issues between them.
The conversation quickly escalates as Marina confronts Lavern about his true concerns, suspecting that his worries are more about how Shawna, his current love interest, would react to their wedding than about her health. This moment of confrontation exposes Lavern’s pretense and Marina’s growing disgust with him. As they exchange sharp words, Lavern’s agitation becomes apparent, and the emotional stakes rise, illustrating the deep rift that has formed in their relationship. Marina’s sharp retorts reveal her frustration and disappointment, as she realizes that the man she once loved is now a stranger.
The arrival of Shawna adds another layer to the tension, as Lavern’s demeanor shifts from stern to relieved in her presence. This dynamic further alienates Marina, who feels increasingly isolated and betrayed. The scene culminates in Lavern storming out of the room with Shawna, leaving Marina alone to confront her feelings of loss and betrayal. As she reflects on her life and the impending changes, she receives a text from Lavern that feels cold and detached, emphasizing how far they have drifted apart.
Later, Marina’s conversation with Elnora about selling her shares in the Ross Group adds to her emotional turmoil. The thought of losing her investment and the years she dedicated to the company weighs heavily on her. As she navigates her complicated feelings towards Lavern and Shawna, she also grapples with the realization that her past is slipping away. The chapter closes with Marina feeling a sense of inevitability about the confrontation that lies ahead, suggesting that her struggle for autonomy and self-identity is far from over.
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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 11**
Marina lay in her hospital bed, her gaze fixed on Lavern as he occupied the chair beside her. She searched his eyes, hoping to find even a flicker of the warmth that once characterized their passionate relationship. But as she studied his expression, it became painfully clear that the man she once knew had vanished.
“No thanks,” she replied, her tone steady, betraying none of the turmoil inside her. “The doctor assured me my foot is perfectly fine; it won’t interfere with the wedding at all.” She had meticulously orchestrated every detail of the impending nuptials, determined that nothing would derail her plans. Just fourteen more days, and she would be free from this suffocating reality.
Lavern’s brow furrowed, his demeanor heavy with a sternness that sent a shiver down her spine. A flicker of dissatisfaction danced in his eyes, and it made her stomach twist. “There’s so much to take care of for the wedding,” he began, his voice laced with an insincere concern that grated on her nerves. “And my mother isn’t in the best of health. She can’t assist much. I’m genuinely worried that you won’t be able to manage everything on your own.”
His pretense of caring for her well-being, when it was really just a façade to protect Shawna, filled Marina with disgust.
“Aren’t you really just worried about how Shawna will react if she finds out we’re going through with the wedding?” she shot back, her voice sharp, cutting through the tension like a knife.
For a moment, Lavern seemed taken aback, the words catching in his throat. When he finally spoke, his voice rose slightly, betraying his agitation. “Why bring her up out of nowhere?”
Marina didn’t hesitate. “Then why did you show up at the hospital with her, unannounced?”
A fleeting moment of guilt flickered across Lavern’s features, but he quickly masked it, his expression hardening once more. “I already explained; it was about my health.”
Marina interrupted him, her voice firm. “Where’s your checkup report?”
He froze, caught off guard.
With a cold laugh, she glanced at her phone, checking the time. “By now, your report should be ready. Who’s your doctor? I want to see it.”
An oppressive silence enveloped the room.
Marina’s gaze bore into Lavern, her eyes thick with sarcasm, challenging him to respond.
Just then, a knock at the door shattered the stillness.
Shawna peeked in, her expression timid and cautious. “Mr. Ross, your report’s ready. I noticed you hadn’t come out yet, so I thought I’d grab it for you.”
At the sight of her, Lavern’s shoulders relaxed, the tension visibly dissipating. He stood up, walked to the door, and accepted the paper from Shawna with a sense of relief.
He glanced at the report, then turned back to Marina, tossing it onto the bed with a flourish. “What do you have to say now?”
He loomed over her bedside, radiating an air of superiority, his face devoid of any guilt or shame—just raw arrogance, as if he were determined to dominate her in this moment.
Marina didn’t even bother to pick up the report; instead, she fixed her gaze on Lavern, who felt like a stranger to her now.
Once, she had been willing to stake everything on him, ready to sacrifice her entire world for their love. But now, all his allure had evaporated, leaving behind nothing but a sense of disappointment. She felt… underwhelmed.
With a casual flick, she swept the report off the bed and turned to Shawna, who was still lingering in the doorway, offering a faint smile. “Aren’t you tired of all this?”
Shawna dropped her gaze, avoiding Marina’s eyes, clearly uncomfortable.
Lavern stepped in front of Shawna, blocking her from view. “That’s enough! If you’re determined not to postpone, then we’ll stick to the plan. But don’t take your frustration out on someone who is innocent in all this.”
Shawna stood behind Lavern, her head held high, her eyes shimmering with unabashed adoration as she looked at him. “Mr. Ross…”
Lavern turned, his expression softening momentarily. “I’ll walk you out.”
Shawna bit her lip, hesitating as she glanced back at Marina. “You should stay here with Marina.”
Lavern cast a sidelong glance at Marina, who was watching him intently, and for a brief second, he hesitated. But seeing her unwavering gaze, he furrowed his brow and headed for the door.
As he reached the threshold, Marina’s voice cut through the air, languid and deliberate. “Lavern, it’s not like I have to marry you or anything.”
His face darkened, transforming into an icy scowl. In a swift motion, he seized Shawna’s hand and stormed out of the ward, leaving a heavy silence in their wake.
As they departed, Shawna turned her head back, casting a look at Marina that was thick with provocation, a silent challenge that hung in the air.
That evening, the ward felt eerily quiet with just Marina left alone. She gazed out at the hazy moonlight filtering through the window, her mind a whirlpool of thoughts and emotions.
It was then that her phone buzzed, breaking the stillness. Elnora’s name flashed across the screen. “Feeling better?”
Marina hesitated, caught off guard. She hadn’t mentioned her hospital stay to Elnora, and the realization that Daron must have shared the news with her tightened her grip on the phone. “It’s not as painful now. Just… embarrassing.”
Elnora’s voice came through cool and detached. “I heard from Kara that you’re planning to sell your shares in the Ross Group soon. Daron’s opened a new branch in Sicester and sees Ross Group as a potential launchpad.”
A launchpad? That meant the Ross Group would eventually be absorbed by the Zamora Group subsidiary, disappearing into the corporate abyss.
Seven years of her life had been invested in that company, and the thought made her pause.
Elnora continued, her tone flat and matter-of-fact. “Daron will be in Sicester for the next two weeks. Once you’ve made your decision, reach out to him directly. He has deep pockets; don’t hesitate to negotiate for a better price.”
With that, Elnora ended the call, leaving no room for small talk or pleasantries.
Marina stared at her phone, her mind racing.
It wasn’t long before Lavern, who had been conspicuously silent throughout the afternoon, finally texted her.
Lavern: [Stuck at the office working late.]
The man who once panicked over a minor scrape on her hand was now sending her cold, detached messages, stripped of any warmth.
Marina glanced at the message, her heart hardening, and chose to ignore it.
Shawna had posted yet another update, complete with a photo as usual.
The caption read: [Baby’s daddy wanted to hear the heartbeat. Turns out he’s even more excited about this little one’s arrival than I am.]
As expected, the comments section was a storm of negativity, filled with judgment and disdain.
Marina’s eyes narrowed as she took in the photo—a blurred-out man’s face nuzzled against Shawna’s belly—and her heart turned to ice.
In the corner of her mind, she recalled the watch he still wore, the one she had gifted him for their seven-year anniversary, symbolizing every moment they had shared together.
Now, she regretted that choice. A watch seemed so trivial; a clock would have been more appropriate, marking the time they had lost.
She set her phone down, but moments later, another message buzzed in from an unknown number.
“Thanks for letting it go so gracefully. I absolutely love it!”
Attached was a photo of a hand adorned with an emerald bracelet.
In an instant, Marina recognized Shawna’s handiwork. A cold smirk crossed her lips as she typed out a response.
Marina: [You scavenged my chewed-up gum off the ground, kept chomping on it, and now you’re bragging about blowing bubbles? Don’t you see how pathetic that is?]
The reply came swiftly, dripping with defiance. “Why the tough talk, Marina? If I could swipe that emerald bracelet from you, I can take anything else I want.”
Marina’s mind raced. Anything else? Like Lavern? That didn’t even qualify as ‘anything’—it was more like garbage she was done with.
Scrolling through her photos, she found the picture of the shattered emerald bracelet and sent it.
Marina: [Didn’t Lavern mention? The one he got you is a knockoff.]
This time, there was no reply.
Marina turned her gaze out the window at the overcast sky, heavy with the promise of rain.
She could feel it in her bones; she and Lavern were headed for an inevitable showdown.
Conclusion
As the shadows of the hospital room deepened, Marina felt a profound sense of clarity wash over her. The man she once loved, now a distant memory, had become an embodiment of everything she had fought against. The façade of their shared dreams crumbled in the face of his indifference, revealing a stark truth: she had been clinging to a version of Lavern that no longer existed. The betrayal she felt was not merely about Shawna or their wedding plans; it was about the realization that her heart had been misplaced in a relationship built on illusions rather than genuine connection. With each bitter exchange, she reclaimed a piece of herself, shedding the weight of expectations and the remnants of a love that had turned toxic.
In the quiet aftermath, as the moonlight seeped through the window, Marina understood that her journey was far from over. The impending decision regarding her shares in the Ross Group loomed large, but it was no longer just about business; it was about taking control of her life and asserting her worth. The emerald bracelet, once a symbol of love, had transformed into a reminder of her resilience. With each defiant message sent to Shawna, she fortified her resolve to break free from the chains of her past. The winds of change were gathering strength, and as she prepared for the inevitable confrontation with Lavern, she felt a flicker of hope igniting within her—a promise to herself that she would emerge from this storm stronger and unyielding.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the upcoming chapter of “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” tensions will escalate as Marina grapples with her tumultuous emotions and the reality of her impending wedding to Lavern. With the clock ticking down to the nuptials, Marina’s resolve will be tested as she confronts the painful truth of Lavern’s betrayal and the shadows of Shawna’s presence looming over her. Expect a fierce clash of wills as Marina decides whether to cling to the remnants of her past or break free from the chains of a love that has turned toxic. The stakes are higher than ever, and the choices she makes will shape not only her future but also the lives of those around her.
Moreover, the arrival of Elnora’s news about the Ross Group will propel Marina into a whirlwind of corporate intrigue and personal reflection. As she contemplates selling her shares, the implications of this decision will weigh heavily on her, forcing her to reevaluate her priorities and ambitions. The corporate world, once a source of pride, may become a battleground where Marina must assert her independence against the backdrop of betrayal and heartbreak. Prepare for revelations that will challenge her loyalties and ignite a fire within her that has long been dormant. The chapter promises to be a turning point, bringing forth unexpected alliances and fierce confrontations that will leave readers breathless with anticipation.
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.
