Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 24 Summary
In Chapter 24 of “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” Shawna finds herself in a vulnerable position as she grapples with her feelings for Lavern and her insecurities about Marina, his fiancée. Despite her emotional turmoil, she leans into Lavern’s comforting touch, expressing her reluctance to compete with Marina for his affection. This moment highlights Shawna’s gentle nature and her desire for a genuine connection, even as she feels overshadowed by Marina’s dominant personality.
Carrie, Lavern’s mother, observes the interaction with growing disdain for Marina and sees an opportunity to advocate for Shawna, who is pregnant. She suggests that Lavern should reconsider his impending marriage to Marina, believing that marrying Shawna would secure a rightful place for the child in the Ross family legacy. However, Lavern’s firm rejection of Carrie’s proposal emphasizes his commitment to Marina, creating a palpable tension in the room. His irritation with Carrie’s insistence reflects his internal struggle and the weight of his responsibilities.
As Carrie pushes back against Lavern’s decision, the conflict escalates. She argues that Shawna deserves better treatment and questions Marina’s loyalty and contributions to their family. Lavern’s frustration mounts as he defends his relationship with Marina, revealing the depth of his commitment to her despite the complexities of his situation with Shawna. This exchange showcases the generational clash between Carrie’s traditional values and Lavern’s modern dilemmas, further complicating the emotional landscape.
Meanwhile, Shawna overhears the escalating argument and feels the burden of her inadequacy. She tries to comfort Carrie while rationalizing the legal implications of their situation regarding Marina’s potential financial claims. Shawna’s attempts to navigate this delicate balance reveal her resilience and desire to maintain peace, even as she feels trapped in her circumstances. The chapter closes with Shawna preparing breakfast for Lavern, her heart heavy yet hopeful, indicating her determination to make the best of her situation despite the looming challenges.
Overall, this chapter encapsulates the emotional tension between love, loyalty, and familial obligations, as each character grapples with their desires and the harsh realities of their relationships. The dynamics between Shawna, Lavern, and Carrie paint a complex picture of love and sacrifice, leaving readers to ponder the consequences of their choices.
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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 24**
Shawna’s complexion drained of color, yet she leaned into Lavern’s touch, pressing her cheek against his palm with a mix of affection and uncertainty. “How could I ever stand up to Marina?” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “I know she can be spoiled and willful around you, but I can’t bring myself to be like that. Competing with her is a battle I won’t fight, nor will I ever seek your attention in that way.”
A sense of relief washed over Lavern at Shawna’s response. He reached up, affectionately tousling her hair, a gesture that conveyed both reassurance and camaraderie.
Nearby, Carrie observed the scene, her eyes narrowing at the sight of Shawna’s submissiveness. The stark contrast between Shawna’s gentle compliance and Marina’s domineering nature only intensified her disdain for Marina.
“You know,” Carrie interjected, her tone sharp and insistent, “I really think you should reconsider the wedding with Marina. Shawna is pregnant now; this is the perfect chance for you two to get married and make everything official, especially with a baby on the way.”
Carrie’s inner thoughts churned with a mix of hope and determination. Deep down, she believed that if Shawna married Lavern, the child she carried would be the legitimate heir to the Ross family legacy, a status that could change everything.
However, Lavern’s mood, which had just begun to improve, soured in an instant. “Mom, nothing will change the fact that Marina and I are getting married,” he stated firmly, his voice carrying a weight that left no room for argument.
Carrie’s expression hardened into a scowl, her displeasure evident.
Shawna, sensing the tension in the air, lowered her gaze, choosing to rise from her seat beside Lavern. “Lavern,” she said softly, “you haven’t had breakfast yet, have you? Let me go prepare something for you.”
Lavern nodded slightly, his gratitude unspoken but palpable.
As soon as Shawna disappeared into the kitchen, Carrie seized the opportunity and plopped down on the sofa next to Lavern, her demeanor shifting to one of urgency. “Shawna is already pregnant; don’t you think she deserves some kind of proper status? What kind of spell has Marina cast over you? You’d deny your own child their rightful place in the family just to keep Marina happy?”
Weak and feverish, Lavern rubbed his forehead in frustration, feeling the weight of Carrie’s words pressing down on him. “I’ll make sure Shawna and the baby are taken care of outside the main house,” he snapped, irritation creeping into his tone. “They won’t lack for anything—money, daily needs, whatever they require. If you care about Shawna and the child, you can visit them whenever you like. But do not let this become a vendetta against Marina.”
Carrie had spent her entire life in Pefnard, clinging to traditional values. After her husband’s death, she had chosen to remain single, holding onto her reputation while focusing solely on raising Lavern.
Lavern’s words struck her like a blow, leaving her momentarily speechless as she grappled with the implications.
Gritting her teeth, she pressed on, her voice rising with indignation. “So you’re just going to let Shawna linger in your life without any real title or status? And what about the child? Do you honestly believe Marina would accept a baby from another woman?”
Lavern frowned, his irritation bubbling to the surface.
Marina would never accept a child that belonged to Shawna, and he couldn’t allow her to discover the truth about their relationship.
“Mom,” he replied, his voice firm, “Marina and I have been together for so many years; our bond is deep. She wouldn’t tolerate even the slightest betrayal. She knows nothing about me and Shawna, and I expect you to keep it that way.”
Carrie’s frustration boiled over. “You might be afraid of her, but I am not. You’ve been together all this time, and she hasn’t given you a single child. If she’s just occupying a space without doing her part, she should step aside and let someone else take it.”
Lavern bristled at her bluntness. “If you continue to speak about Marina like this, I swear I’ll send you back to the village.” His voice was sharp, anger fueling his words as he struggled to maintain control.
Carrie, despite her resentment, still felt a flicker of fear at his tone. With a sour expression, she bit her tongue, deciding it was best not to push further. Instead, she rose from the sofa in a huff and stormed into the kitchen.
Inside the kitchen, Shawna had overheard every word exchanged between Lavern and Carrie.
She had hoped that by using her pregnancy to keep Lavern close, she might elevate her standing in his heart, even if just a little. But in the end, she felt the weight of her inadequacy compared to Marina.
Biting her lip, she watched as Carrie entered the kitchen, quietly wiping away tears by the sink. Shawna approached her gently, offering comfort.
“Carrie,” she said softly, “please don’t be upset. Lavern is just trying to think about the bigger picture. The Ross Group is the company that Marina and Lavern built together. If they were to part ways, it would affect the business.”
“And if Marina decides to break things off with Lavern, she’ll walk away with a hefty sum, which could complicate everything,” Shawna added, her voice steady as she tried to reason with Carrie.
Carrie’s expression shifted slightly as she considered Shawna’s words. “Hasn’t she already left the company to rest at home?” she asked, grasping at the possibility that with Marina gone, the Ross Group would belong solely to Lavern.
Shawna patiently laid out the pros and cons for Carrie, detailing the legal implications surrounding property division. As she spoke, Carrie’s face paled, realization dawning upon her.
“She’s just a woman riding on our Lavern’s coattails,” Carrie said, her voice laced with bitterness. “He’s the one handling everything at the company; how could she possibly deserve that much money?”
A faint smile crossed Shawna’s face, tinged with resignation. “But that’s how the law operates. Unless she commits a major fault that damages the company, Lavern can’t simply cut her out. There’s no way around it.”
Carrie fell silent, her expression a mix of anger and frustration, grappling with the harsh reality.
Shawna glanced at her, casually adding, as if sharing a piece of gossip, “I once heard about a couple going through a divorce. The husband’s lawyer discovered the wife was cheating, leaked the news, and ultimately, she caved and forfeited her share of the assets.”
Carrie shook her head vehemently. “Marina wouldn’t betray Lavern.”
Despite her disdain for Marina, she recognized the loyalty Marina held in relationships. There was no way she would ever do anything to harm Lavern.
A flicker of irritation crossed Shawna’s eyes, but she quickly suppressed it, maintaining her smile. “Later, I saw in the news that it was actually a setup by the husband, just framing her to force her to give up her share. It was all a deliberate misunderstanding.”
Carrie fell completely silent, lost in thought as Shawna’s words lingered in the air.
With a sweet smile, Shawna maintained her obedient demeanor. “Carrie, I’m genuinely thrilled that Lavern is willing to have the baby with me. But with Marina in the picture, we probably can’t have the child calling you Grandma down the line.”
“Lavern can’t separate from Marina without jeopardizing the business, so the baby and I will just have to make the best of our situation. Please don’t be upset; I hope this doesn’t create a rift between you and Lavern.”
Carrie nodded slowly, her mind still tangled in contemplation.
Satisfied with the conversation, Shawna picked up the breakfast she had prepared for Lavern and left the kitchen, her heart heavy yet hopeful.
**Chapter 21**
Lavern settled at the table, but the sight of the bland, watery pasta before him extinguished any appetite he might have had in an instant.
He couldn’t help but recall the vibrant, aromatic pasta Marina had made that morning; it had been a feast for the senses. Even though he hadn’t tasted it, the lingering scent seemed to haunt him, a reminder of what he was missing.
With a half-hearted effort, he took a couple of bites before retreating back to the bedroom, the food failing to satisfy him in any way.
When Carrie entered, bringing him water and medicine, he was irritably scrolling through his chat history with Marina on his phone.
The messages from weeks ago were all one-sided, filled with his texts to her, starkly devoid of any replies from her end.
Frustration bubbled within him as he swallowed the medicine, sinking back onto the bed. Just as Carrie turned to leave, he called out to her, urgency creeping into his voice.
“Mom, Marina and I are getting married soon. You’re my mother; you can’t just sit this one out. Please find some time to take Marina to the gold shop and pick up some gold pieces for the wedding.”
As he spoke, Lavern pulled a card from his wallet and handed it to Carrie. “Marina has been giving me the cold shoulder lately. I need your help to smooth things over with her.”
He understood that since Kathy’s passing, Marina had been yearning for maternal affection, regretting the distance that had formed between her and Carrie.
If Carrie intervened this time, he hoped it would break the silence and bring Marina back to him.
Conclusion
In the swirling chaos of emotions and unspoken truths, Shawna found herself teetering on the precipice of hope and despair. Her heart ached with the weight of her love for Lavern, yet the shadows of Marina loomed larger than ever. Despite her efforts to secure a place in Lavern’s life through their unborn child, she remained painfully aware of her perceived inadequacy against Marina’s fierce presence. As she prepared breakfast, her heart heavy with uncertainty, she clung to the fragile hope that her love could somehow bridge the chasm between them, even as the winds of fate threatened to scatter her dreams like autumn leaves.
On the other side of the emotional spectrum, Lavern grappled with the suffocating expectations of family and loyalty. His heart was torn between the deep-rooted bond he shared with Marina and the undeniable connection he felt towards Shawna. Each confrontation with Carrie only deepened his inner turmoil, as her insistence on prioritizing Shawna and their child clashed with his commitment to Marina. As he stared at the empty plate before him, the vibrant memory of Marina’s cooking haunted him, symbolizing the warmth and love he craved yet felt slipping away. In that moment, Lavern realized that the choices he made would not only shape his own future but also the lives of those who depended on him, leaving him to wonder if he could ever truly reconcile the competing desires of his heart.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the upcoming chapter, the tension between Lavern, Shawna, and Carrie is set to reach a boiling point, forcing each character to confront their deepest fears and desires. As Shawna grapples with her role in Lavern’s life and the implications of her pregnancy, she may find herself at a crossroads. Will she continue to play the dutiful yet submissive partner, or will she muster the courage to assert her place in Lavern’s heart? The stakes are higher than ever, and the choices she makes could alter the course of their lives forever.
Meanwhile, Carrie’s determination to secure a future for her grandchild will clash with Lavern’s unwavering commitment to Marina. As secrets begin to unravel, Carrie’s desperation might lead her to consider drastic measures to protect her family’s legacy. Will she take a risk that could jeopardize everything, including her relationship with Lavern? And how will Marina react when she learns of the brewing conflict? As the winds of change blow through their lives, the characters are poised for a confrontation that could redefine their relationships and their futures. Prepare for a chapter filled with emotional upheaval, unexpected alliances, and the haunting question of loyalty as each character faces the consequences of their choices.
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.
