Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 27

Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 27 Summary

 

In Chapter 27 of “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” the tension between Marina and Lavern escalates following the death of Alyssa, Marina’s grandmother. The chapter opens with a neighbor expressing her disdain for Lavern, questioning his commitment as a boyfriend for not contributing to Alyssa’s funeral. This confrontation reveals the underlying issues in Marina and Lavern’s relationship, particularly Lavern’s apparent lack of awareness regarding the significance of Alyssa’s passing and the emotional turmoil it has caused Marina.

 

Marina, feeling the weight of the situation, rushes out to prevent further gossip from Ana, the neighbor. As she confronts Lavern, he expresses regret for not being there during Alyssa’s final moments, claiming he would have dropped everything to support her if he had known. However, Marina’s sarcasm and emotional detachment indicate her deep-seated resentment, stemming from Lavern’s priorities and his perceived insensitivity. The conversation highlights the emotional distance between them, with Marina questioning Lavern’s sincerity and commitment.

 

As Lavern attempts to apologize and mend their relationship, Marina’s inner turmoil becomes evident. She reflects bitterly on Lavern’s idea of making things right, suspecting that he is hiding a more significant betrayal involving another woman. Despite Lavern’s earnestness, Marina keeps her emotions in check, suggesting they maintain distance as the wedding approaches. This request raises Lavern’s concerns about their future, as he fears that Marina may no longer want to marry him.

 

The chapter culminates in a poignant moment as Marina recounts the night of Alyssa’s death, sharing her grief and the shock of losing her grandmother. Lavern’s guilt intensifies as he realizes he missed crucial communication about Alyssa’s passing, further straining their relationship. Marina’s suggestion that Lavern should apologize to Alyssa’s spirit in the living room underscores the haunting presence of unresolved issues and the emotional weight he carries. As she retreats to her bedroom, locking the door behind her, Lavern is left alone, filled with anxiety and the fear of unseen judgments, symbolizing the deep chasm that has formed between them.

 

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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**

**Chapter 27**

The neighbor stood there, her expression a vivid canvas of disdain, making it abundantly clear that she found him utterly clueless.

“How could you not know about something this significant?” she exclaimed, her voice dripping with incredulity. “What kind of boyfriend are you, anyway? You’re the big shot running a company, yet you couldn’t spare a dime for the funeral? Typical; the wealthier the man, the stingier he tends to be. It’s no surprise Marina’s calling off the wedding; she…”

Marina had orchestrated an entirely different agenda for what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, discreetly informing the neighbors not to attend; the entire event had been scrapped.

Alyssa had always placed immense importance on appearances, and Marina couldn’t bear the thought of people showing up merely to gawk or create a scene, stealing away Alyssa’s peace even in death.

As the neighbor continued her unsolicited tirade, Marina felt a surge of urgency. She dashed out, desperate to intervene before Ana spilled too much to Lavern.

With a swift motion, she flung the door open, stepping into the light with an apologetic look in her eyes. “I’m so sorry for the trouble, Ana. I’ll take care of this myself.”

Ana Mayer nodded, her gaze flickering suspiciously toward Lavern before she added, “If you need anything, just shout.”

Marina offered a brief nod, her mind racing as she watched Ana retreat inside.

Turning her attention back to Lavern, she found him standing there, guilt etched across his features, his expression heavy with regret.

“Marina,” he began, his voice laden with sincerity, “why didn’t you tell me about something this monumental? If you had just said a word, I would have dropped everything, raced back from the next city, and been right by your side.”

Marina held his gaze, her eyes betraying no hint of emotion. “And ruin your good time? You finally managed to squeeze in some rest and relaxation; why would I want to spoil that?”

Lavern’s face paled, a flicker of guilt darting across his features. “Marina, it wasn’t about spending time with Shawna. I was out wining and dining a client’s associate. I brought her along merely to give her some experience.”

She regarded him in silence, her thoughts swirling. “Oh, Mr. Ross has such a compassionate heart, going out of his way for an intern from a partner firm,” she replied, her tone laced with sarcasm.

Lavern choked on her words, momentarily at a loss for a comeback.

Uncertain of how much she truly knew, he treaded carefully, trying to gauge her thoughts. “Marina, we’ve been together all these years; I’ve never crossed any lines. I just hope you can believe in me.”

Her response was a bland “oh,” leaving the conversation hanging in the air.

Lavern felt the weight of unspoken words settle between them. He took a deep breath, studying her face with intense curiosity. Noticing the absence of fury, he exhaled a quiet sigh of relief.

He thought to himself, ‘She must not have the full story; perhaps she’s only caught wind of some loose gossip. If she had solid evidence, she wouldn’t hold back; she’d confront me directly.’

“Marina, I’m truly sorry I wasn’t there when Alyssa passed. I’ve recognized my shortcomings, and I promise to spend every day from now on making it right,” he said earnestly.

Marina met his eyes, a wry smile curling her lips, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside her.

‘His idea of “making it right” involves quietly building a hidden family with another woman and fathering a child who might one day challenge my claim to everything I hold dear?’ she mused bitterly.

Lavern, oblivious to her inner thoughts, overlooked the mockery in her gaze, convinced that his heartfelt apology had made an impact. He stepped closer, arms outstretched, seeking an embrace.

But Marina nimbly evaded him, her expression cooling with each passing moment.

Realizing his arms hung awkwardly at his sides, Lavern spoke up, “Marina, I know you’re still upset, but the wedding is just around the corner. I don’t want you to carry any resentment into it.”

His words rang with sincerity, his eyes reflecting genuine regret and self-reproach.

Marina studied his face for a moment, then drawled, “In that case, perhaps it would be best if we kept our distance during these final days.”

Lavern’s defenses shot up instantly. “Why?”

He wondered, ‘Is it possible she truly doesn’t want to marry me anymore, just like the neighbors claimed?’

Marina’s expression remained serene, betraying none of her deeper feelings. “I need some time alone to process my emotions, so I don’t bring any baggage into the wedding day, okay?”

Her reasoning seemed sound, and Lavern’s doubts began to wane. “But I don’t like the idea of you being here all by yourself. Let me stay and keep you company.”

Deep down, he feared that once she had time to reflect, she might uncover more unsettling truths about him.

He felt an urgent need to remain close to her, to ensure that no one else revealed too much.

As he reached for her hand, she yanked it away, the dismissal stinging.

Lavern’s expression hardened, but he swallowed his anger. “Marina…”

“Marina…” he called out, unable to stop himself.

She cut him off, her tone sharp. “I’m just concerned you wouldn’t have the courage to stay here anyway.”

With that, she strode into the courtyard, leaving Lavern scrambling to keep up.

As they stepped into the living room, his gaze was drawn to the memorial portrait that hung prominently on the wall.

Alyssa had been a no-nonsense teacher during her life; her demeanor softened only in the presence of Marina, while otherwise, she was all stern looks and tight-lipped authority.

Lavern stole a quick glance at the photo before quickly averting his eyes, panic flooding through him as he imagined her piercing gaze cutting through him, revealing every hidden secret.

He sat rigidly on the sofa, feeling an invisible, razor-sharp stare boring into his back, chilling him to the core.

Marina observed his guilty fidgeting and couldn’t help but scoff to herself. She was certain he wouldn’t last two nights in this place.

“When Grandma passed, I had just arrived home. One moment she was chatting with me, saying she wanted to see you, and the next, while I was on the phone trying to reach you, she was gone,” she recounted, her voice steady but tinged with sorrow.

Lavern flinched, rushing to defend himself. “I was overwhelmed with work and missed your call.”

Marina nodded, her expression unreadable. “I know. You were in a meeting, and Shawna answered. I told her to relay the news about Grandma’s passing, and she mentioned that Alyssa went peacefully, without pain; it was a blessing.”

Even now, recalling that night brought tears to Marina’s eyes, not out of grievance, but from the sheer disbelief that Alyssa had vanished from her life so suddenly.

Lavern’s eyes widened in shock as he scrambled for his phone, scrolling through the call history. Finding no trace of that night’s call, he realized Shawna must have erased it.

Clenching the phone tightly, veins standing out on the back of his hand, he felt a surge of anxiety.

Marina watched him with a steady gaze, her voice even as she detailed the rest of the night’s events: calling for an ambulance, the medics confirming the death, and managing all the funeral arrangements for Alyssa.

Seeing the hint of redness in her eyes, Lavern felt a suffocating knot form in his chest, guilt and heartache flooding through him. “Marina, I’m so sorry.” This time, the words came from a place of genuine remorse.

Yet Marina merely offered a faint smile, murmuring softly, “It doesn’t matter now.”

As she spoke, her gaze drifted to Alyssa’s portrait, and she added in a low voice, “They say when an elder passes, their spirit lingers in the home they inhabited for a time.

“If you’re truly sorry, why not stay out here in the living room and make your apologies to her? Who knows, perhaps in the stillness of the night, she’ll visit you in your dreams and let you know exactly what she thinks.”

Panic flickered in Lavern’s eyes. “Marina…”

She fixed him with a sharp look. “Are you scared?”

He shook his head vehemently. “Of course not.”

“Good,” Marina replied, her tone final.

With that, she turned on her heel, heading toward the bedroom and locking the door behind her.

Lavern sat frozen in the living room, utterly alone, yet his imagination ran wild, convincing him that unseen eyes were watching from every shadow.

Conclusion

 

In the wake of Alyssa’s passing, the fragile threads of Marina and Lavern’s relationship hung in the balance, fraying under the weight of unspoken truths and unmet expectations. As Marina retreated into her solitude, the emotional chasm between them widened, leaving Lavern grappling with guilt and fear. His attempts to bridge the gap were met with Marina’s icy resolve, a stark reminder of the chasm that now separated them. The tension in the air was palpable, each moment fraught with the potential for revelation or further misunderstanding. For Marina, the loss of her grandmother was not just a personal tragedy; it was a catalyst for reevaluating the very foundation of her life and the man who stood beside her, a man whose priorities seemed painfully misaligned with her own grief.

 

In the quiet aftermath of their confrontation, the specter of Alyssa loomed large, a reminder of the love and guidance that once anchored Marina’s world. As she locked herself away, the walls of her sanctuary became a fortress against the chaos outside, a place where she could confront her pain and the unsettling reality of Lavern’s absence during her time of need. The winds of change howled around them, carrying with them the lost promises of a future that now seemed uncertain. For Lavern, left alone in the living room, the haunting silence served as a stark reminder of the emotional distance he had created through his negligence. In this moment of reflection, both were faced with the undeniable truth: love, once vibrant and hopeful, now teetered on the brink of collapse, leaving them to ponder whether they could ever reclaim what had been lost.

 

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

 

In the upcoming chapter of *Winds Carry Lost Promises*, readers can expect a deepening of the psychological tension between Marina and Lavern as they navigate the fallout from Alyssa’s death. With Lavern left alone in the living room, the weight of his secrets bears down on him, and the atmosphere thickens with unspoken fears and unresolved issues. As the night unfolds, the haunting presence of Alyssa’s memory is likely to loom larger, prompting Lavern to confront not just his guilt but the very foundation of his relationship with Marina. Will the shadows of the past reveal truths that could shatter their fragile bond?

 

Meanwhile, Marina’s decision to lock herself away hints at a brewing storm within her. The isolation she seeks may serve as a crucible for her emotions, igniting a fierce resolve to uncover the truth behind Lavern’s recent actions. As the clock ticks down to their wedding day, the stakes rise, and the question looms: will Marina confront Lavern about her suspicions, or will she allow the winds of doubt to carry her into a future marred by betrayal? The tension promises to escalate, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to unravel the tangled web of love, loss, and hidden agendas that threatens to consume them both.