Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 22 Summary
In Chapter 22 of “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” the tension between Marina and Lavern reaches a boiling point. Marina’s cold demeanor towards Lavern is palpable as she dismisses him with contempt. Lavern, feeling both frustrated and desperate, attempts to assert his dominance by pinning her down, but this only escalates the conflict. Marina retaliates with a slap, showcasing her fierce independence and unwillingness to submit to his advances. The physical confrontation culminates in a harsh kiss that leads to her biting him, symbolizing the deep-seated animosity and unresolved emotions between them.
As the confrontation continues, Marina expresses her disgust for Lavern, both physically and verbally. She angrily discards the remnants of their interaction, further emphasizing her desire to distance herself from him. Lavern, taken aback by her boldness, grapples with his feelings of anger and confusion. The emotional turmoil is evident as he storms out of the room, yet he hesitates, questioning whether he should give up on their relationship entirely. Marina, on the other hand, seeks solace in sleep but finds herself unable to escape the unresolved tension that lingers between them.
When Marina finally emerges from her room, Lavern’s hope for reconciliation is met with indifference. He tries to engage her, but she dismisses him, shutting him out completely. The darkness of the room symbolizes the emotional chasm that has developed between them. Lavern’s attempts to coax her out of her anger are met with silence, highlighting his growing frustration and helplessness. Memories of their past conflicts flood his mind, reminding him of the fragile nature of their relationship and the stakes involved.
As the night drags on, Lavern’s physical discomfort mirrors his emotional turmoil. He spends a cold night on the sofa, waiting for Marina to acknowledge him, but her lack of concern deepens his sense of isolation. When she finally appears, he clings to the hope that she still cares for him, but her actions reveal a stark indifference. The meal she prepares for herself, devoid of any consideration for him, signifies the widening rift in their relationship. Lavern’s determination to share the moment with her is met with rejection, leaving him feeling defeated and heartbroken.
Ultimately, the chapter encapsulates the struggle between love and resentment, showcasing the complexities of their relationship. Both characters are trapped in a cycle of anger and longing, unable to bridge the gap that has formed between them. The emotional stakes are high, and the chapter ends with a sense of uncertainty about their future, leaving readers questioning whether they can overcome their differences and find a way back to each other.
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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 22**
Marina’s gaze rested on Laverit, her expression a mask of icy indifference, twisted in a blend of disdain and disbelief. “No thanks,” she said, her voice dripping with contempt.
His unfamiliar glare sent a shudder of unease through Lavern’s core. In an impulsive movement, he seized her shoulders, pinning her beneath him, his grip firm yet desperate. “Come on, don’t start a fight now. I know your body like the back of my hand,” he asserted, his tone laced with a mix of challenge and familiarity.
Before he could finish, Marina’s palm collided with his cheek, a sharp slap that silenced him mid-sentence. The sound reverberated through the room, a crisp echo that seemed to linger in the air.
Lavern winced, his hand instinctively rising to the stinging spot on his face, his eyes narrowing in a simmering rage. There was no denying the fury that brewed within him, but he was determined to press on. He leaned in, capturing her lips in a harsh, demanding kiss that spoke of his frustration and desire.
Marina’s jaw clenched tightly, refusing to yield. With a sudden surge of defiance, she bit down hard as he pressed forward, a fierce retaliation against his invasion. The metallic taste of blood flooded her mouth, sharp and bitter, a stark reminder of the battle they waged.
Lavern recoiled, a grunt of pain escaping his lips as he pulled back, disbelief etched across his features.
Marina, fueled by a mix of anger and revulsion, snatched the glass of water from the bedside, gulping it down before swishing it around her mouth and spitting it forcefully into the trash bin. Her expression was one of utter disgust, as if she were trying to rid herself of the very essence of him.
He clenched his jaw, leaning in again, determination hardening his features.
But Marina was past the point of reason. Without a moment’s hesitation, she hurled the glass at his head, her voice a sharp whip of indignation. “You really want to try forcing me in my grandmother’s house?”
The glass shattered against the wall, leaving Lavern momentarily dazed, his forehead throbbing with the impact of her fury. He stared at her, astonished that she had the audacity to strike him so boldly.
Her eyes blazed with unfiltered loathing. “Go crawl to some other woman. Stay away from me.”
The force of her words hit him like a bucket of ice-cold water, jolting him back to reality. The storm brewing in his expression intensified as he leaped off the bed, storming out of the bedroom in a fit of frustration.
Yet, at the door, he paused, spinning back to face her. “You sure about pushing me out like this?” he challenged, his voice low and tense.
Marina let out a harsh, bitter laugh. “A cheating cat can’t be locked up forever. You’ve already had your fill of filth; why act all pure around me?”
Her words struck a nerve, and Lavern’s dark complexion shifted, panic creeping into his gaze. He inhaled deeply, fighting to suppress the anger boiling within him. “Marina, what kind of nonsense is this?”
“Get out!” she shot back, her tone final, dismissing him with a wave of her hand as she flopped back onto the bed.
Her utter disregard for him tightened his jaw, and he stormed out, frustration coursing through his veins.
But as he walked away, a wave of anxiety washed over him. If he turned his back now, would he ever have the chance to mend what was broken between them? He could still sense the weight of what mattered most.
Marina, meanwhile, squeezed her eyes shut, attempting to find solace in sleep, but it eluded her. The car’s engine remained silent outside, and the living room light flickered on, a stark reminder of the unresolved tension hanging in the air.
**12:30 Fri, Dec 12**
After what felt like an eternity, she finally mustered the will to rise, her expression grim as she stepped out of the bedroom.
Lavern lounged on the old sofa, a cigarette dangling from his fingers. Upon spotting her, he hastily stubbed it out, a flicker of hope igniting in his chest. “Heading back in soon?” he asked, his tone casual, trying to mask the tension.
In their past quarrels, she had often extended a lifeline, and he assumed this was her way of doing the same now.
But she didn’t spare him a glance. Instead, she flicked the light switch off, plunging the living room into darkness before retreating to her room, firmly closing the door behind her.
The sudden darkness enveloped Lavern, leaving him in a state of disbelief. He chuckled wryly to himself, “Still with her moods; I’ll have to go smooth things over.”
Fumbling through the shadows, he reached for the doorknob, twisting it casually, only to find it locked tight. Marina had secured herself inside, shutting him out completely.
A deep sigh escaped him, and he held onto his patience, speaking softly, coaxingly. “Marina, don’t stay mad. Come on, open up.”
Silence met his plea.
He persisted, his voice gentle, his heart yearning for reconciliation.
Yet, the stillness from the other side remained unbroken.
Minutes dragged on, and his patience began to fray. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll wake Alyssa?” he ventured, hoping to stir her concern.
Finally, her voice cut through the silence, sharp and unyielding. “Go right ahead.”
Inside, she secretly hoped he would rouse Alyssa, believing it might serve him right.
Lavern felt a surge of frustration but contained it. Despite Alyssa’s apparent fondness for him, she would undoubtedly side with Marina. If she were awakened, she would only berate him for upsetting her dear friend.
Years prior, he and Marina had clashed fiercely over the company’s future and a family drama involving his mother, Carrie Ross, nearly tearing them apart. In a fit of anger, Marina had packed her bags and returned home, leaving him scrambling to win her back.
He had tried everything, even enlisting Alyssa’s help, but that day, Alyssa had been anything but accommodating. With a stoic expression, she had made it clear: Marina was merely his girlfriend, not yet a member of the Ross family. If she wanted to leave, that was her choice, and he had no say in the matter.
Alyssa hadn’t played peacemaker; she had stood firmly by Marina’s side.
In the end, Lavern had relented, the company adopting Marina’s strategy, and to spare him further conflict, Carrie had retreated back to their rural hometown.
Lavern lingered outside Marina’s bedroom door for what felt like an eternity, whispering sweet nothings and doing his utmost to soothe her anger.
But she remained immovable.
Finally, defeated, he trudged to the living room and collapsed onto the worn-out sofa.
The couch was ancient, battered, and far too small for comfort, and to make matters worse, rain poured down relentlessly outside, a fitting backdrop to his dismal night.
Huddled on that narrow couch, Lavern shivered through the night, waking up with a nasty cold, his body protesting against the chill.
When Marina finally emerged, he was still sprawled on the sofa, looking utterly spent, his cheeks flushed with fever.
As her gaze fell upon him, a flicker of hope ignited in his weary eyes. He coughed a few rough, raspy sounds, attempting to mask his weakness.
Once upon a time, Marina could never bear to see him in pain; she would rush to his side at the first sign of illness.
But today, she barely acknowledged his presence, heading straight for the kitchen.
The spark in Lavern’s eyes dimmed, and he convinced himself that she must be fetching water for coffee or perhaps medicine to ease his suffering.
He waited patiently for ten minutes, his anticipation building, until she finally emerged, a plate of pasta in her hands.
Warmth flooded his heart, and he thought, ‘She still cares after all; she knows I didn’t eat last night and made this for me.’
Bracing himself against the couch, he pushed himself up, only to watch in disbelief as she pulled out a chair, sat down, and began eating alone.
His expression hardened, confusion washing over him. “You didn’t make any for me?” he asked, incredulous.
Marina glanced up, her eyes finally meeting his, and with a matter-of-fact tone, she shook her head. “Nope.”
His heart sank.
She seemed utterly indifferent to his disappointment, returning her attention to her meal with a casual nonchalance.
Stone-faced, Lavern stood up, crossed the room, and yanked out the chair opposite her, plopping down with a determined thud. “Leave some for me,” he stated flatly.
Marina’s gaze flickered to him, her appetite suddenly waning. She set her fork down, her expression shifting.
He reached for the plate, but she was quicker, snatching it away and dumping its contents into the nearby trash can.
“Sorry,” she said coolly. “I’m not big on sharing a plate with anyone. Or a man, for that matter.”
Conclusion
As the night wore on, the emotional chasm between Marina and Lavern deepened, marked by their unresolved tensions and unspoken grievances. Each bitter exchange served as a reminder of the love that had once flourished between them, now overshadowed by betrayal and resentment. Lavern’s realization that Marina was no longer the woman who would rush to his side in times of need struck him with a sense of loss that felt insurmountable. The warmth they once shared had been replaced by cold indifference, and as he sat across from her, the plate of discarded pasta a testament to their fractured bond, he grappled with the painful truth: their relationship was teetering on the brink of collapse, and the winds of change were carrying away the promises they had made to one another.
Marina, too, felt the weight of their history pressing down on her, a mix of anger and sorrow swirling within her. She had fought valiantly to reclaim her sense of self, but at what cost? The walls she had built to protect herself now stood as barriers to the love she once cherished. As she watched Lavern’s expression harden in response to her rejection, she recognized the painful irony of their situation; the very strength she had summoned to push him away was the same force that kept her from reaching out. In that moment, both were left grappling with the remnants of what they had lost, the winds carrying their lost promises swirling around them, leaving behind a silence that echoed with the uncertainty of their future.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension between Lavern and Marina reaches a boiling point, readers can anticipate a dramatic escalation in their tumultuous relationship. With Lavern’s cold lingering and Marina’s unforgiving demeanor, the stakes are higher than ever. Will Lavern’s determination to mend their fractured bond lead him to make a desperate move, or will Marina’s hardened heart keep him at bay? The emotional distance between them promises to deepen, leading to explosive confrontations and revelations that could shatter their already fragile connection.
Moreover, the re-emergence of Alyssa could add another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama. As Lavern grapples with his feelings of betrayal and longing, he may find himself caught between his past mistakes and the potential for redemption. Will Alyssa step in to play the peacemaker, or will her presence further complicate matters? Expect secrets to surface, alliances to shift, and the very foundation of their relationships to be tested as both characters confront their inner demons and the ghosts of their shared history. The next chapter is poised to deliver a whirlwind of emotions, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover what lies ahead for Lavern and Marina.
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.
