Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 40 Summary
In Chapter 40 of “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” Marina experiences a tense silence as she awaits a response from Daron. The chaotic events of the previous night weigh heavily on her mind, and she chooses to let the silence linger, eventually succumbing to sleep. The following morning, she wakes with a sense of purpose, knowing she has an important meeting with Mr. Zamora for a contract signing. However, her day starts off on a complicated note when she receives a call from Lavern, who, after a night of heavy drinking, is unsure of his actions. His slurred voice and careless attitude frustrate Marina, who is determined to handle the meeting without his interference.
As their conversation unfolds, Lavern expresses a desire to join Marina for the signing, claiming concern for her after her time away from the company. However, Marina’s skepticism grows, and she sharply rebukes him for his reckless behavior the night before. She feels a surge of determination to prove herself and protect the crucial partnership with Zamora. Their exchange escalates, revealing underlying tensions and resentment, particularly regarding Lavern’s past actions and his mother’s influence on him. Marina’s biting words cut deep, and she makes it clear that she does not want him to accompany her.
When Marina arrives at the Zamora Group office, she is confronted by Lavern, who insists on accompanying her despite her clear objections. Their interaction is fraught with tension as Marina tries to maintain her composure and focus on the impending meeting. The receptionist’s intervention provides a moment of relief for Marina, allowing her to escape the awkwardness with Lavern. As she steps into the elevator, she catches a glimpse of Lavern’s frustration and desperation, which only fuels her resolve to move forward without him.
The chapter closes with Lavern grappling with feelings of panic and loss as he watches Marina ascend, sensing that their relationship is on the brink of change. Despite his insecurities and the chaos of the previous night, he clings to the belief that their long-standing bond will prevent her from truly leaving him. However, Marina is determined to redefine her life and their relationship, signaling a significant shift in their dynamic as she prepares to assert her independence and strength in the face of adversity.
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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 40**
Marina found herself in an uncomfortable silence, waiting for Daron to reach out. A half-hour ticked by, and with each passing moment, her suspicions only deepened. It made sense, really; the situation had been chaotic, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
Instead of sending another message, she chose to let the silence linger, placing her phone aside. Fatigue washed over her, and she surrendered to sleep, grateful for the distraction Daron had provided. His little diversion had cleared her mind of the swirling chaos surrounding Lavern, allowing her to slip into slumber without a hitch.
Morning broke, and Marina rolled out of bed, the sunlight filtering through her curtains. She moved through her routine with a sense of purpose, the day’s significance weighing on her.
Just as she finished getting ready, her phone buzzed to life, displaying Lavern’s name on the screen.
With a hint of trepidation, she answered, “Hello?”
His voice came through, slightly slurred, “Marina, I got totally hammered last night; did I do anything stupid?”
The image of Lavern waking up next to Shawna invaded his thoughts, sending a chill down his spine. He felt the cold sweat trickle down his back—last night was a blur, and the only fragments he could grasp were of escorting Daron out alongside Marina. Everything else was a foggy haze.
Marina’s tone was laced with sarcasm as she replied, “Beats me. I can’t babysit you 24/7, can I? Why not ask one of the others?”
There was a heavy silence on the line, and for a moment, she thought he had hung up. But then he spoke again, his voice more serious, “Marina, you’re heading to meet Mr. Zamora for the contract signing today, right? Let me join you. I’ll come pick you up now.”
She couldn’t help but scoff, her skepticism spilling over. “Weren’t you blackout drunk? How’s that detail sticking so well?”
Lavern hesitated, then pressed on, “You put in so much effort to secure this Zamora Group deal; I couldn’t forget that if I tried. Let me come along. You’ve been away from the company for six months, so you might be out of the loop on operations. I’m just concerned…”
Marina cut him off, her voice sharp. “Concerned? Where was that concern when you were running your mouth in front of Mr. Zamora last night?”
She had no intention of letting him accompany her to the signing. Marina felt a surge of determination as she continued, “If anyone’s got reason to worry, it’s me; you nearly torpedoed the whole thing yesterday. This Zamora Group partnership is a huge pivot for both of us. I don’t need your input; just stay out of my way and don’t screw it up.”
“Marina…”
Without waiting for him to finish, she ended the call, a sense of finality lingering in the air.
She touched up her makeup, threw on a professional outfit, and stepped out the door, her mind racing with the day’s impending challenges.
Before sliding into her car, she checked her messaging app, noticing Daron still hadn’t replied to her texts from the previous night. He must still be asleep, she mused, a smirk creeping onto her face at the thought of the AI outsmarting him.
Navigating through the city, she drove towards the Zamora Group branch, her heart pounding with anticipation. As she approached the building, her eyes caught sight of Lavern’s car parked downstairs.
Her grip tightened on the steering wheel, anger bubbling within her.
Lavern spotted her and leaped out, striding over with an eagerness that only fueled her irritation.
Marina took a deep breath, steeling herself for the encounter as she parked.
With a grin plastered across his face, Lavern positioned himself by her door, opening it with an exaggerated flourish. “Marina, I’ll head up with you and apologize to Mr. Zamora too. I went overboard last night; honestly, I have no clue what came out of my mouth.”
She noticed the slapdash gift box he clutched in his hands, and disdain flickered in her gaze. “Lavern, if you’re trying to sabotage this deal, just come out with it. Who do you think Mr. Zamora is? Showing up with that pitiful little box—don’t you feel ridiculous? After all these years together, you still can’t ditch those trashy habits you got from your mom?”
Lavern flinched at her biting words, the contempt in her voice cutting deep. He tightened his grip on the gift box, the veins in his hand standing out starkly against his skin. “Marina, I threw this together last-minute; of course it’s not as good as something I’d planned ahead. But even if you hate it, you don’t have to bring my mom into this. She raised me on her own; it wasn’t easy for her, so…”
She interrupted sharply, “So that’s why you let her buy me that cheap gold-plated silver junk for our wedding jewelry?”
Lavern’s face twisted in confusion, his mind racing to catch up. “Marina, no, that’s not—so this is what’s been eating at you lately?” The tension in him lessened slightly as he processed her words.
Marina let out a chilling laugh, her voice icy. “Lavern, I can’t stand the sight of you right now. And please, stop holding me back, okay?”
With that, she turned on her heel and strode toward the Zamora Group office tower, determination propelling her forward.
Lavern hurried after her, desperation evident in his stride.
As soon as they entered the lobby, the receptionist approached them with a polite smile. “Ms. Finley, Mr. Zamora sent me to escort you up.”
Marina nodded, grateful for the distraction.
Lavern quickened his pace to keep up with her. “Marina, let’s put our issues on hold for a sec; I’ll come up with you.”
She halted, casting him a sidelong glare. How could he still be following her after that humiliation? It seemed he had abandoned all concern for his pride.
Sensing the awkward tension, the receptionist interjected, “Ms. Finley, I apologize, but your meeting with Mr. Zamora is scheduled for one. So only you can go up.”
A wave of relief washed over Marina, and she nodded faintly. “Fine by me.”
Lavern’s expression darkened, irritation flickering in his eyes. He opened his mouth to argue, but a sharp look from Marina silenced him. She glanced disdainfully at the box in his hand once more, her voice low but firm. “Don’t embarrass us, alright? No using booze as an excuse today.”
Eyes were on them from all sides, and Lavern felt the heat of embarrassment rise in his cheeks.
Anger simmered beneath the surface, but he knew better than to argue with her in public; it could tarnish the Ross Group’s reputation irreparably.
He took a deep breath, controlling his expression, his fist tightening at his side as he relented. “Alright, I’ll wait here.”
Ignoring him, Marina allowed the receptionist to lead her toward the executive elevator.
As she turned, she caught a glimpse of Lavern slinking out of the lobby, the gift box clutched tightly in his hands, his body language radiating frustration.
In his world, he was accustomed to being the center of attention, with people fawning over him. Rising from humble beginnings, he had built a successful life, and there was much he could be proud of.
But in the presence of someone like Daron, his insecurities bubbled to the surface, and Marina knew just how to poke at them.
In the past, she had tiptoed around his ego, avoiding unnecessary stress, and in return, he had assumed she would always be there, never daring to leave. He had begun treating some side chick like his pampered pet, forgetting the partnership they once shared.
This was merely the beginning. Seven days remained. She would show him exactly what his life was meant to be.
Lavern felt a sharp gaze piercing through him. He turned abruptly, meeting Marina’s eyes from inside the elevator.
In that fleeting moment before the doors slid shut, he caught the icy detachment in her expression, the utter scorn that suggested he was beneath her notice, a mere insect to be brushed aside.
Panic surged through him, a sense of loss creeping in as he stood there, thoughts spiraling in chaos, as if something vital was slipping away.
But the disorientation faded quickly, and he pulled himself together.
He thought about how Marina had no family left; they had been together for so long, they were practically family. There was no way she would truly leave him.
Conclusion
As Marina ascended in the elevator, a wave of determination surged through her. The confrontation with Lavern had stripped away the layers of complacency that had dulled her drive, revealing a fierce resolve to reclaim her narrative. She had long been tethered to the expectations of their partnership, but now, the weight of his insecurities and careless behavior felt like a shackle she was ready to break. The cold detachment she had displayed was not just a shield against his antics; it was a declaration of her independence, a promise to herself that she would no longer be defined by his choices or the chaos he brought into her life. With the signing looming ahead, she felt an exhilarating sense of purpose, ready to step into her power and reshape her future.
Meanwhile, Lavern stood in the lobby, the gift box in his hands feeling heavier than ever, a symbol of his dwindling connection to Marina. The realization that he might truly be losing her hit him like a punch to the gut. He had taken her for granted, assuming her loyalty was unshakeable, but as he watched the elevator doors close on her resolute figure, a chilling fear gripped him. His thoughts raced, battling between denial and the dawning awareness that perhaps he had pushed her too far this time. As the panic settled in, he understood that the time for change had come—not just for Marina, but for himself as well. The winds of uncertainty whipped around him, carrying the lost promises of their past, leaving him to grapple with the reality that he might have to confront his own demons if he ever hoped to win her back.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension between Marina and Lavern escalates, readers can anticipate a dramatic showdown at the Zamora Group office. With Marina determined to assert her independence and Lavern grappling with his insecurities, the stakes are higher than ever. Will Lavern’s desperation to hold onto their partnership push him to make a bold move, or will he crumble under the pressure of Marina’s fierce resolve? The chapter promises to delve deeper into their complex relationship, revealing the cracks that threaten to shatter their once solid foundation.
Moreover, the looming presence of Mr. Zamora adds another layer of intrigue to the narrative. As Marina steps into the boardroom, the weight of her ambitions and the potential fallout from Lavern’s reckless behavior will hang heavily in the air. Will she manage to secure the deal that could redefine her career, or will Lavern’s past mistakes come back to haunt them both? The chapter is set to unravel secrets and unexpected twists that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how Marina navigates this pivotal moment in her life. With only seven days remaining, the countdown to transformation intensifies, leaving readers questioning whether Marina will rise victorious or succumb to the chaos surrounding her.
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.
