Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale ` 28 Summary
In Chapter 28 of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” tensions escalate as Phillipa confronts Dominic, pushing him away with a fierce rejection. Her disgust for him is palpable, prompting her to leave the Chancellor’s estate with her maid. Dominic, momentarily stunned by her reaction, feels a sudden dread that compels him to seek out Margaery, pushing thoughts of Tessa aside. Tessa, witnessing Dominic’s cowardice from afar, is consumed by frustration and resolves to take matters into her own hands, instructing her loyal friend Paige to keep an eye on him.
As Dominic arrives at Gracewind Garden, he finds Margaery absorbed in her reading, her calm demeanor contrasting sharply with the chaos he has just experienced. He reflects on their shared history and realizes that she embodies the qualities he desires in a partner. Gathering his courage, he informs her of his intention to marry her, framing it as a pragmatic alliance, especially in light of Prince Dashnell’s interest in her. Margaery, however, remains guarded, recalling the past humiliation she suffered at the hands of Dominic.
Their conversation reveals the complex dynamics at play, with Margaery understanding the political motivations behind Dominic’s proposal. She recognizes that his feelings are intertwined with his family’s ambitions and the looming threat of Prince Dashnell. Margaery’s calm exterior masks her inner turmoil as she contemplates her own power and agency in this situation. She acknowledges the need for a strategic approach, deciding to hold back her confrontation with Dominic for the right moment.
As the chapter closes, Margaery remains composed, her thoughts focused on the future and the potential leverage she could gain. The atmosphere is filled with tension, both from the swirling snow outside and the intricate web of relationships and ambitions inside. Margaery’s resolve to strike decisively when the time is right hints at the battles to come, showcasing her strength and determination amidst the chaos surrounding her.
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**Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale**
**Chapter 28**
“Don’t you dare touch me! Get lost!” Phillipa’s voice was sharp and biting as she forcefully shoved his hand away, her face twisted in disgust. “You make me sick.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, she turned to the maid who had accompanied her. “We’re leaving. If I ever set foot in the Chancellor’s estate again, I might as well be a dog.”
Dominic stood there, momentarily stunned, his footing slipping in the thick blanket of snow beneath him. He regained his balance and instinctively cast a glance toward Gracewind Garden, his heart racing with a sudden, inexplicable dread. It felt as though a shadow of a terrible secret had been cast over him, one that threatened to engulf him in its darkness.
In that moment, thoughts of Tessa evaporated from his mind, replaced by an urgent need to find Margaery.
Meanwhile, Tessa was leaning out of the window, her voice trembling with desperation. “Dominic!” she called, but he didn’t turn back. The fury boiling within her was palpable, her nails digging into her palms as if to release some of the pent-up frustration. “I can’t believe this! Even now, at this critical moment, he’s still such a coward, still terrified that Margaery will discover the truth.”
“Looks like I’ll have to take matters into my own hands,” Tessa muttered through clenched teeth, her determination hardening. She turned to Paige, her loyal companion. “You need to keep a close watch on him. The moment anything happens, you come straight back and tell me.”
Paige hesitated, glancing out at the swirling snowstorm. The thought of venturing out in such harsh conditions filled her with dread, yet with Gracewind Garden no longer an option for her, she felt obligated to stay by Tessa’s side and earn her keep.
Tessa’s rage kept her awake, a gnawing discomfort settling in her stomach, growing worse with each passing moment. Before coming here, she had naively believed that with the Chancellor’s estate wielding such influence, finding a skilled doctor to alleviate her ailment would be a simple task.
But after consulting countless imperial physicians, none had managed to provide her with relief.
At times, a wave of jealousy washed over her as she thought of Margaery. Here she was, trapped in a woodshed, yet somehow still exuding an undeniable vitality.
*****
Dominic finally arrived at Gracewind Garden, his heart still racing from the encounter with Phillipa.
The light in Margaery’s room was glowing softly, illuminating her figure as she sat by the brazier, deeply engrossed in her reading. Her expression was one of tranquility, a stark contrast to the chaos of the world outside.
Dominic found himself captivated, unable to look away. In the past, he had dismissed Margaery as immature, viewing her sixteen-year-old tantrums as a sign of her unworthiness to become the lady of the house.
But now, she appeared to embody everything he had ever envisioned in a wife—a serene companion, sharing a quiet evening, lost in the pages of a book, her red sleeves draping elegantly around her.
After all, they had grown up together, their lives intertwined in ways that were both beautiful and complicated.
“Margaery…” he breathed, unable to contain the impulse to call her name.
In the dim light, Margaery lifted her gaze to the doorway, feigning ignorance. “What brings Lord Dominic to my humble abode once again?”
Dominic’s heart sank as he noticed her nonchalant demeanor. He released a slow, measured breath, gathering his thoughts. “Margaery, I’ve come to inform you that I will be marrying you soon. After all these years, we have grown up side by side.”
Through the closed door, he observed her still seated by the warm glow of the brazier, her focus unwavering as she studied a chart of acupuncture points. A tumult of emotions swirled within him, and he continued, “It’s true that Prince Dashnell has taken an interest in you, but he is a cripple. He will never be able to father children.”
Taking a deep breath, Dominic softened his tone as he stepped further into the room, his eyes never leaving her. “You are a woman of worth. If you marry him, what future awaits you? But fear not.
“Once you become my wife, as long as you fulfill your duties as the lady of the house, I will ensure you are treated well. At the very least, you will have children of your own, and your life will not be devoid of purpose.”
In his mind’s eye, Dominic could already envision her future: marrying him, explaining the medicinal formula to the King, helping Avery regain his position in the imperial medical bureau. Meanwhile, she herself would be relegated to the Laundry Bureau or worse, the Labor Division.
If she were fortunate, after years of toil, Margaery might emerge from the shadows, aged and weary. If not, she would perish within the confines of the Hadley household.
For both the Wallen and Hadley families, one daughter for a marriage alliance sufficed; two would be deemed excessive.
So, as he looked at Margaery, his gaze held a trace of pity, an empathy he had never allowed himself to express before. It was the last remnant of compassion he could muster.
Margaery met his gaze, her eyes searching his for a long moment before she finally spoke. “You’re right. We have indeed grown up together. Ten days from now, I will personally attend your grandmother’s birthday celebration.”
In her previous life, that very same birthday party had been the scene of Dominic tearing their engagement apart, turning her into a subject of ridicule throughout Sinderin City.
Margaery would never forget that moment, and this time, she would make sure to return the favor.
Seeing her reaction, Dominic felt a flicker of hope, interpreting her words as agreement. He nodded, relief washing over him. “Then rest well. I will come to see you again tomorrow.”
“Take care,” Margaery replied lazily, her eyelids fluttering as she dismissed him with a glance, her thoughts already drifting elsewhere.
As Dominic left Gracewind Garden, he couldn’t shake the feeling that things were spiraling out of control. He had no desire to see Tessa anymore.
Hurrying home, he began to prepare for the impending marriage proposal, his mind racing with the possibilities and consequences that lay ahead.
“Well, pigs must be flying,” Amber exclaimed in disbelief as she shut the main gate behind him. “Why did Lord Dominic suddenly start being so nice?”
“Because he’s feeling guilty,” Margaery replied, casting a sidelong glance at her. “He thinks that with the tides turning against him, my father and the others are eager for him to marry me without delay.”
In her previous life, Margaery had been ensnared by these people for what felt like an eternity. While she might not have known every intricate detail of their personalities, she had deciphered a good eighty percent of their motives.
“Father is well aware that Dashnell might be watching me. He fears I’ll lose control and refuse to advocate for Avery. That’s why he’s pushing for Dominic to marry me quickly—to keep me in line and compel me to approach the King to reinstate Avery in the imperial medical bureau.
“The palace has always been interconnected. If Lady Alicia loses Avery, my father’s political standing will crumble as well. To him, my life holds no value compared to family interests.
“And now that Tessa is aware of Dominic’s intentions to marry me, she will undoubtedly make every effort to keep his affections with her. Dominic won’t be able to resist her tears and pleas, and they’ll likely end up sweet-talking and flirting again.
“But on the surface, he’ll still want to maintain his gentlemanly facade, labeling me a wicked woman while he preserves his reputation. However, that pristine image was shattered by Phillipa.”
Margaery let out a cold, mirthless laugh. “All those times he looked down on me and accused me from his lofty perch? They mean nothing now.
“He came tonight solely to ensure that Phillipa wouldn’t come to me and create further chaos. He’s terrified I’ll discover the truth and humiliate him, leaving him with no means to save face and handing me leverage over him.”
Outside, the wind howled, and the snow continued to swirl violently. Inside, the flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows, while the brazier crackled and popped, filling the air with warmth.
Margaery spoke of matters that would significantly shape her own destiny, yet her expression remained eerily calm, as if recounting the tale of someone else’s life.
Amber, feeling a mix of heartbreak and astonishment, finally broke the silence. “Then why didn’t you confront him? You clearly knew that Lady Phillipa had caught them… No, you even orchestrated it.”
Phillipa had been invited by Margaery herself, and it was Amber who had delivered the letter. Yet Amber couldn’t fathom why Margaery hadn’t acted upon it.
“I’m holding back for now because the timing isn’t right,” Margaery replied, tossing another piece of charcoal into the brazier, sending a flurry of sparks into the air. “When I strike, it must be decisive.”
**Chapter 29**
Conclusion
In the wake of the tumultuous events at the Chancellor’s estate, both Dominic and Margaery find themselves at a pivotal crossroads, their paths entwined yet fraught with unspoken tensions. For Dominic, the encounter with Phillipa served as a harsh awakening, forcing him to confront the fragility of his carefully curated existence. The realization that he had taken Margaery’s steadfast presence for granted now gnawed at him, igniting a flicker of hope amidst the chaos. As he proposed a marriage that was meant to provide stability, he inadvertently overlooked the deeper layers of Margaery’s resilience, her ability to navigate the treacherous waters of their world with a cunning that mirrored his own. The weight of his guilt and the urgency of his intentions cast a shadow on their future, leaving him grappling with the consequences of his choices.
Meanwhile, Margaery, cloaked in a calm facade, meticulously plotted her next move, aware that the game of power and influence was shifting beneath her. Her previous life had taught her the importance of timing, and though she felt the sting of betrayal, she chose to bide her time, knowing that her strength lay not just in her lineage but in her intellect. As the snowstorm raged outside, symbolizing the turmoil within their hearts, Margaery understood that the whispers of the past would shape her tomorrow. With every calculated decision, she would reclaim her narrative, ensuring that she would not merely be a pawn in the machinations of those around her. The emotional arc of both characters culminates in a poignant realization: in a world defined by power struggles and hidden agendas, the true battle lies in recognizing one’s worth and seizing the opportunity to forge a destiny on their own terms.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the upcoming chapter, tensions will reach a boiling point as the characters grapple with the tangled web of emotions and motivations that have been meticulously woven throughout the story. With Dominic’s unexpected proposal hanging in the air, Margaery stands at a crossroads, her past experiences shaping her every decision. Will she seize the opportunity to reclaim her agency, or will she play the game to her advantage, waiting for the perfect moment to strike? The stakes are higher than ever, as the balance of power shifts and alliances are tested in the unforgiving political landscape of Sinderin City.
Meanwhile, Tessa’s fury will ignite a fire within her, propelling her to take bold actions that could alter the course of their lives. As she plots to keep Dominic within her grasp, the question looms: how far is she willing to go to protect her interests? The snowstorm outside mirrors the chaos brewing internally, and as secrets unravel and truths come to light, the consequences of their choices will reverberate throughout their lives. Readers can expect heart-pounding confrontations, unexpected betrayals, and the unveiling of long-buried secrets that will leave them breathless and eager for more.
As the characters navigate the treacherous waters of ambition and desire, the chapter promises to delve deeper into their psyches, revealing the motivations that drive them. With each turn of the page, the tension will build, and the whispers that shape their distant tomorrows will grow louder, echoing the inevitable clash that awaits. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions as loyalties are tested, and the true nature of each character is revealed in the unfolding drama of their intertwined fates.
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.
