Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 38 Summary
In Chapter 38 of “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” Yesenia feels a strong desire to leave a gathering after Thomas’s departure, signaling a shift in her emotional state. She exchanges a brief, obligatory wave with Marina and deliberately ignores Lavern, relishing in the act of snubbing him despite the anxiety it stirs within her. Lavern, on the other hand, reacts with frustration, directing his cold demeanor towards Marina and attempting to control her actions, revealing his possessive nature.
Marina stands her ground against Lavern’s aggressive advances, firmly rejecting his offer for a ride home. Their exchange is charged with tension, as Lavern’s attempts to downplay the situation only provoke Marina further. She dismisses him with sarcasm, and as Lavern’s anger begins to boil over, Marina finds unexpected satisfaction in witnessing his loss of composure. The confrontation serves as a turning point for her, allowing her to realize the extent of Lavern’s transformation from a charming partner to a man consumed by greed and desperation.
As the scene unfolds, Lavern’s emotional turmoil becomes palpable. He is left standing alone, experiencing a mix of irritation and regret as Marina drives away, feeling the weight of his failures. His companions attempt to console him, suggesting that he can mend things with Marina, but their words fall flat as he grapples with the reality that their relationship may be irreparably damaged. The atmosphere shifts as Lavern’s internal struggle becomes evident, revealing his vulnerability and the fear of losing Marina for good.
The chapter culminates with Lavern’s sense of defeat as he contemplates the possibility that Marina has seen through his facade. He is plagued by anxiety about what her realization might mean for their future, and his thoughts spiral into a dark place as he considers the implications of his actions. The narrative captures the emotional complexity of their relationship, highlighting the themes of betrayal, power dynamics, and the painful realization of lost promises.
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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 38**
After Thomas made his exit, Yesenia felt an overwhelming urge to leave the gathering behind. She shot Marina a quick wave, a gesture that felt more like an obligation than a farewell, and deliberately ignored Lavern, who stood nearby. The decision to snub him felt liberating, even if her heart raced with a mix of defiance and anxiety.
Lavern’s expression darkened as he wrapped up his small talk with the remaining partners, a forced smile plastered on his face. He turned his attention to Marina, his voice dripping with coldness. “Marina, I think it’s best if you keep your distance from her from now on.”
Marina cast him a sideways glance, arching an eyebrow. “My friendships are my concern, Mr. Ross. Maybe you should focus on your own circle instead.” With that, she pivoted toward her car, determination etched on her features.
In a sudden, aggressive motion, Lavern lunged forward, his hand gripping her wrist with surprising force. “You’ve had a drink; it’s not safe for you to drive. Just get in with me.”
Marina glanced down at her wrist, now flushed from his grip, and methodically peeled his fingers away, one by one. “No thanks. A car filled with the vibes of other women? That’s enough to make anyone nauseous.”
The remaining partners exchanged furtive glances, the tension thick in the air as they witnessed the unfolding drama.
Lavern furrowed his brows, frustration simmering beneath the surface, yet he forced out a laugh that felt more like a mask than genuine amusement. “Come on, Marina, you’re being ridiculous. I just had the car detailed; there’s no way there could be any trace of other women.”
Marina shot back with a frosty chuckle, her voice laced with sarcasm. “Oh, right; so you scrubbed it clean to hide your tracks?”
A wave of guilt crashed over him, and the haze of alcohol muddled his thoughts, leaving him momentarily speechless.
Marina’s striking gaze swept over him, filled with disdain as she dismissed him entirely. With a swift motion, she ducked into her car and locked the door, leaving Lavern standing there, irritation flickering across his face like a dying flame.
Moments later, he found himself pressed against her window, his voice low and urgent, desperation creeping in. “Marina, everyone is watching us; do you really have to humiliate me like this? I’m the man here, out making deals, and you’re stripping away my dignity…”
Marina retorted, “Dignity is something you earn, not something handed out like candy. And let’s not forget, nobody actually invited you tonight, did they?”
Lavern’s expression darkened in an instant, a storm brewing in his eyes as rage bubbled to the surface.
After seven years together, Marina had mastered the art of pushing his buttons, striking right at the core of his vulnerabilities.
Watching him lose his composure so quickly, emotions erupting like a volcano, surprisingly lifted her spirits. A faint smile curved her lips as she rolled up the window, a barrier between them that felt both satisfying and final.
He raised a hand as if to pound on the glass, but a bystander, sensing the brewing storm, intervened. “Easy there, Mr. Ross. A sharp woman like Ms. Finley is bound to have a little spark; it’s completely normal.”
“Yeah, spot on,” Lavern muttered, his voice strained.
Marina started her engine, smoothly maneuvering past him. In the rearview mirror, she caught a glimpse of Lavern, seething with frustration, while she remained calm and detached, a coolness enveloping her.
It was hard to pinpoint the exact moment everything had shifted, but the once modest and courteous Lavern had transformed into a man consumed by greed, lust, and liquor, his former refined charm now a distant memory.
Perhaps this was the universe’s way of forcing her to see the unvarnished truth of who he was. The more frantic and irritable he became, the more her attraction waned, making it easier for her to envision a life without him.
She had managed to maintain her composure through his betrayal, finding clarity in the pain that had once felt insurmountable.
Lavern remained rooted in place, watching as her car disappeared into the night, a heavy silence settling over him. As the alcohol haze began to lift slightly, he could still feel the weight of his failure pressing down on him.
The onlookers continued to offer unsolicited advice. “You know how women are; they just need a little sweet-talking,” one suggested, trying to lighten the mood.
Lavern furrowed his brow, a sense of defeat glimmering in his eyes.
Marina had driven off without a second thought, and deep down, he felt an unsettling certainty that he might never be able to make amends with her again.
Hyman and the rest of the crew emerged from the restaurant, quickly assessing the situation and weaving through the remaining partners to flank Lavern.
“Lavern, you’ve been with Marina for years; you know her inside and out. It just takes a little extra effort to smooth things over. Besides, your lives are so intertwined that even if you make a mistake, she’ll probably forgive you just to keep those benefits intact,” Hyman said, his tone casual yet earnest.
Hearing Hyman’s words, a flicker of hope ignited within Lavern, easing the tightness in his chest. He straightened up, bidding farewell to the others with a newfound calmness.
The business partners had sensed something off in the way Marina had treated Lavern, but none of them dared to voice their observations. They politely excused themselves, unable to fathom how two people so intertwined in mutual interests could unravel over emotional turmoil.
In their world, business took precedence; relationship hiccups were mere blips on the radar, hardly worthy of mention.
Hyman lingered, seemingly unashamed, until the very end. Once Lavern had ushered everyone else out, Hyman sidled up to him with a fawning grin.
“Lavern, that club I used to take you to just got a new batch of girls. Word is, they’re all eighteen or nineteen; you interested?”
Lavern’s expression darkened, annoyance flashing in his eyes. “You go on without me. I need to head home and crash.”
Hyman, sensing his distress, offered some awkward advice with a sheepish smile. “Lavern, sure, women need sweet-talking, but you can’t keep putting them on a pedestal forever. Sometimes, giving her a little space might do the trick and change things up.
“Aren’t you two tying the knot in just a few days? There’s no way she won’t reach out about the wedding details. If you give her the silent treatment right before the big day, she’ll be more freaked out than anyone.”
Lavern’s brow furrowed deeper, irritation bubbling over as he snapped at Hyman. “Get lost! Stop giving me these terrible ideas!”
Hyman simply grinned, unbothered. “Lavern, I’m just trying to help you out here.”
Ignoring him, Lavern felt a gust of cold wind hit him, intensifying the throbbing in his head.
Robert pulled the car up, stopping directly in front of him.
Hyman quickly helped him inside, and as he shut the door, he couldn’t resist tossing in a few more flattering words. “Lavern, from here on out, you’re going to be a big deal in Sicester. I’ve been with you all these years; I hope you’ll help me out sometimes.”
Lavern waved him off dismissively. “Don’t worry, you’ll get your share.”
Hyman beamed, waving him off cheerfully, reminding Robert to take good care of him.
As Robert drove in silence, he pulled out of the restaurant lot before quietly asking, “Mr. Ross, back to the apartment, or…?”
Lavern rubbed his forehead, eyes closed tight against the world. “Head to Royal View.”
Robert replied, “Mr. Ross, the villa in Royal View is under renovation.”
Lavern’s eyes snapped open, irritation flaring anew.
He didn’t respond for what felt like an eternity, leaving Robert uncertain about where to go next. Hesitantly, he pulled over to the side of the road. “Mr. Ross…”
Glancing in the rearview mirror, he assumed Lavern had passed out drunk. But no, he wasn’t asleep; he was staring blankly, slumped against the back seat, lost in a sea of tumultuous thoughts.
Finally, Lavern broke the silence, his voice heavy with the weight of his concerns. “Do you think she’s figured something out?”
Robert paused, unsure how to respond, and ultimately chose silence.
Lavern’s voice returned, thick with the haze of alcohol and anxiety. “If she really has, what should I do?”
Robert remained silent, acutely aware of the hidden panic flickering beneath Lavern’s drunken facade as he peered into the rearview mirror.
He had worked alongside Marina at Ross Group for years, only recently transferred to Savers.
Everyone else assumed Marina would never leave Lavern, but Robert wasn’t so sure.
He had witnessed her decisiveness in business; a woman that sharp wouldn’t feel trapped in a situation like this just for the perks, despite what others might say.
What could Lavern do about it? He had no idea. The mere thought of what might happen if Marina discovered the truth was too terrifying to contemplate.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of the confrontation, Yesenia’s heart swelled with a mix of triumph and liberation as she distanced herself from the chaos of Lavern’s unraveling facade. By choosing to walk away from the toxic dynamics that had long ensnared her friend Marina, she embraced the strength that comes from recognizing one’s worth. The tension that had once suffocated her now felt like a distant memory, replaced by a newfound clarity that illuminated her path forward. As Marina drove away, leaving Lavern to grapple with the consequences of his actions, Yesenia felt a flicker of hope that perhaps both women could emerge stronger from the wreckage of their pasts.
Meanwhile, Lavern’s internal struggle deepened, the weight of his failures pressing down like an anchor in a stormy sea. The realization that he might be losing Marina for good sent ripples of panic through him, stirring a desperation that only served to highlight his fragility. As he sat in the car, staring vacantly into the distance, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the facade he had built was crumbling, leaving him exposed and vulnerable. The words of his friend Hyman echoed in his mind, but they offered little comfort. In this moment of reckoning, Lavern faced the bitter truth of his choices, understanding that the winds of change were not just carrying away lost promises, but also the chance for redemption that he had taken for granted.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the tension escalates between Lavern and Marina, readers can expect an intense exploration of their fractured relationship in the upcoming chapter. With Lavern grappling with the consequences of his actions and the impending wedding looming over them, the stakes have never been higher. Will he finally confront the truths he has been avoiding, or will his desperation drive him further into a spiral of denial and self-destruction? Marina, on the other hand, is poised to take charge of her own destiny; her newfound clarity may lead her to make decisions that could change the course of both their lives forever.
Meanwhile, the dynamics of their social circle will come into play, as friends and colleagues weigh in on the chaos. Hyman’s misguided attempts to offer advice may further complicate Lavern’s already shaky footing, while Robert’s silent observations could reveal hidden alliances or unexpected support for Marina. As secrets simmer beneath the surface, the chapter promises to unravel layers of deception and vulnerability, challenging the characters to confront their true selves. With emotions running high and a wedding on the horizon, readers will be left wondering: can love survive the winds of change, or will lost promises scatter into the night?
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.
