Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale ` 88 Summary
In Chapter 88 of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” titled “Boomerang,” Tessa confronts Dominic about his betrayal, having discovered he spent the night with Margaery. Overwhelmed by heartbreak, she questions why he cannot fulfill the promise he made to her. Tessa’s disbelief and despair are palpable as she grapples with the shattering of her innocence and the stark reality of Dominic’s cold rejection. Despite her hope for reconciliation, Dominic’s insistence on severing ties leaves her in utter disbelief, struggling to comprehend the emotional turmoil unfolding before her.
Dominic attempts to rationalize his decision, citing the complications arising from Margaery’s situation, which he claims necessitate their separation. Tessa, who had previously relied on her ability to be understanding and compliant, finds her strategies failing her in this moment of crisis. The frustration and pain bubble within her as she realizes that her previous manipulations no longer hold power over Dominic. Instead of the love and support she craved, she faces his disappointment and a dismissal of her feelings, deepening her sense of isolation.
As the confrontation escalates, Tessa’s anger surfaces, and she confronts Dominic about Margaery’s true intentions. Her struggle between pride and heartbreak is evident as she ultimately decides to distance herself from him, believing it is her fault for coveting her sister’s fiancé. Tessa’s resolve to apologize to Margaery and her declaration that Sunbeam Court will no longer welcome Dominic reflect her determination to reclaim some semblance of control over her life, despite the emotional devastation she feels.
Dominic, feeling guilt over Tessa’s suffering, is torn between his feelings for her and the obligations he believes he must fulfill. However, he ultimately chooses to follow through with his commitment to Margaery, leaving Tessa in shock as he walks away without looking back—a stark contrast to his previous behavior. Tessa is left reeling, grappling with the reality of her situation and the loss of the future she envisioned with Dominic. The emotional weight of his departure is compounded by the realization that her life has irrevocably changed, leaving her to confront the uncertainty of her future.
In the aftermath, Tessa’s anger and despair manifest in destructive behavior as she smashes the cups and vases in her room, symbolizing her internal chaos and the deep wound Dominic’s rejection has inflicted. Determined to secure her own path, she devises a plan to counter Margaery’s influence, showcasing her resilience in the face of heartbreak. The chapter closes on a note of turmoil, with Tessa’s resolve hardening as she seeks to regain control over her life amidst the emotional wreckage left by Dominic’s decision.
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**Chapter 88: Boomerang**
“Why?”
The single word escaped her lips like a fragile whisper, yet it carried the weight of a thousand unspoken emotions. As soon as the question left her mouth, tears began to cascade down Tessa’s cheeks, each drop a testament to her heartbreak. Her voice quivered, filled with a mixture of disbelief and despair. “Dominic, you made a promise, clear as day, that you would take responsibility. You’ve shattered my innocence, and now you stand there telling me you cannot marry me?”
“I honestly never anticipated you would confront me with such accusations!”
Tessa’s sobs echoed in the room, her eyes wide with a blend of shock and sorrow. Just the night before, she had learned that Dominic had spent the night with Margaery, yet she held onto a sliver of hope. She had convinced herself that he would soon come to her, apologize for the pain he had caused, and they would find solace in each other’s arms, where he would declare his undying love, exclusive to her. After all, for the past year, she had believed that Dominic’s heart was irrevocably tethered to hers.
But now, the cruel twist of fate revealed itself. Not only did he fail to offer her the comfort she so desperately craved, but he also coldly expressed his desire to cut ties with her altogether.
Tessa was left in a state of utter disbelief, struggling to comprehend the harsh reality that had unfolded before her.
Dominic gazed at her tear-streaked face, but the usual warmth and compassion that characterized his demeanor had vanished. Instead, a flicker of irritation crossed his features as he frowned, “Tessa, you’ve always been the sensible one; surely you can grasp the gravity of our situation. Clyde has harmed Margaery, and now she wishes to sever all connections with us. Do you understand what this implies?”
“Once she marries Prince Dashnell, our lives will be anything but pleasant,” he continued, his tone growing more resolute. “I have to marry Margaery. She has made it clear that you cannot marry alongside her, so I cannot marry you.”
After uttering those words, he looked at her with a hint of disappointment, as if he had expected her to be more understanding. “Tessa, I thought you wouldn’t react so unreasonably, unlike her.”
“I…” Tessa found herself momentarily speechless, her mind racing with disbelief at his words.
In the past, she had relied on her ability to be ‘understanding’, ‘yielding’, ‘obedient’, and ‘helpless’ to manipulate the men of the Wallen family, including Dominic. For an entire year, these tactics had worked in her favor, allowing her to navigate their world with relative ease.
But now, those once-effective strategies had backfired, striking her like a boomerang thrown with too much force. Despite the depth of her suffering, she found herself with no avenue for justice. Every time she attempted to reason with them, they labeled her as ‘insensible’ and ‘unreasonable’.
Frustration boiled within her, causing a sharp pain in her stomach. After a long, agonizing pause, she finally managed to say, “What you’ve said does hold some truth. You are her fiancé, so I should indeed step aside for her. If she doesn’t consent, then I cannot marry you.”
Her tone shifted, and as her tear-filled eyes locked onto Dominic’s, she added, “But does she genuinely want to marry you? She claims she wishes to yield, yet her actions seem aggressive and domineering…”
Dominic’s frown deepened, his irritation palpable. “You never used to speak ill of her.”
Tessa felt a surge of anger rise within her, her desire to lash out almost overwhelming.
In the end, she could only muster a cold response, “If you believe I’m speaking ill, then I will say no more. If you don’t want to marry me, then so be it. After all, you and Margaery have been engaged for quite some time. It’s only natural that you would toy with my feelings for a while.”
“My life is but a series of misfortunes, like wild grass trampled underfoot.”
As she spoke, she turned her back on Dominic, retreating behind the bed curtains, where she allowed her quiet sobs to escape into the silence of the room.
A pang of guilt struck Dominic’s heart.
He had harbored feelings for Tessa for a year; it was impossible to deny the connection they shared. Seeing her in such a pitiful state tugged at his conscience. “Tessa, please don’t belittle yourself. I can’t marry you, not because I want to hurt you, but because of the circumstances we find ourselves in.”
“Moreover, I never intended to trample on your heart.”
Tessa felt a fierce urge to turn around, to confront him, to demand an explanation for the way he had treated her. But she held back, her pride battling with her heartbreak. Instead, she called out to the door, “Sophie, please escort my brother-in-law out. It’s inappropriate for men and women to have such close contact. From now on, Sunbeam Court will not welcome him. Do not allow him to enter again.”
She added, “This is my fault. How could I dare to covet my sister’s fiancé? It’s my mistake. I will personally visit Margaery to apologize.”
Sophie entered the room, her expression a mixture of sympathy and confusion. “Lord Dominic, you should leave. Sunbeam Court does not welcome you.”
But Dominic found himself rooted to the spot, unable to move.
“Tessa, please listen to me…”
He looked at her with an expression of guilt, longing to step forward and offer her the comfort she so desperately needed.
But Tessa turned away, her sobs growing louder as she said, “Dominic, I wish you and Margaery a lifetime of happiness and many children.” In that moment, she was putting on a facade of obedience and sensibility, masking the turmoil within her.
Yet Dominic felt as though a knife had plunged deep into his heart.
He could never bear to witness Tessa’s suffering. In the past, he would have done anything to marry her, to shield her from the world, to let her manage their household without Margaery’s influence.
To hear someone he cherished so deeply express a willingness to give up was a pain unlike any other. But the tides had changed.
No matter how much Tessa tugged at his heartstrings, she could never compete with the power and influence of the Southern Abbey, the Hall of Divinity, and Stormshade Hall that stood behind Margaery.
And then there was the enigmatic old beggar, a wild card in this twisted game.
In light of all this, Tessa’s softness and charm began to lose their allure. No matter how sweet and gentle she was, she could not help him ascend to power. Ultimately, a man needed to carve out his own destiny in this world.
With a heavy heart, he steeled himself and said, “Thank you for your blessing. I will proceed with Margaery.” And with those final words, he turned and exited the room, making his way downstairs.
Tessa, still reeling from the emotional turmoil, was left stunned. She quickly wiped her tears and rushed to the window, her heart racing as she watched Dominic stride away, disbelief flooding her senses. “He really left?”
In the past, whenever Dominic departed from her room, he would glance back at her three times before reaching the bottom of the stairs.
But now, despite her heart-wrenching cries and the anguish she had endured for his sake, he did not look back. He simply turned and walked away, and soon his figure vanished from her sight.
Tessa was left in a state of shock, her mind racing to comprehend what had just transpired.
Sophie, equally bewildered, murmured, “Yes, how could he just leave? Lord Dominic has never acted this way before. In the past, if you showed even the slightest hint of distress, he would hold you and comfort you for ages…”
Sarah, also taken aback, turned to Tessa with wide eyes. “Lady Tessa, could it be that what he said today is truly the case?”
Previously, it had been agreed that if Tessa married Dominic, she and Sophie would serve as her dowry maids in the Minister’s estate, ensuring a secure future.
But no one could have predicted that, in the blink of an eye, Dominic would seem to transform into a completely different person.
Now, the prospect of marrying Tessa, a woman who had lost her innocence, would likely deter any suitor. When that time came, both she and Sophie would find themselves without a place to go.
Instantly, the expressions of the two maids darkened, mirroring the gravity of the situation.
Tessa absorbed their words, her gaze fixed on the empty courtyard as she pressed her nails into her palm, a physical reminder of her inner turmoil.
She had never imagined that Margaery would so effortlessly steal Dominic away from her side, devoid of any visible emotion.
Fortunately, after her discussion with the midwife earlier that day, she had devised a plan to drive Margaery out of the house.
Otherwise, she would have truly been left with no options.
Narrowing her eyes with determination, Tessa scribbled a note and handed it to Sarah. “Take this to Sonia at Springcourt House. She knows what to do.”
No matter what, she needed to ensure her own path was secure.
Sarah took the note and hurried off, leaving Tessa alone with her swirling thoughts.
Yet, the sudden shift in Dominic’s demeanor had inflicted a deep wound in her heart. Once they were gone, she could no longer contain her rage; she began smashing the cups and vases on the table, sending shards flying to the floor.
Conclusion
As the echoes of shattered porcelain filled the room, Tessa felt a cathartic release of the pent-up emotions that had been suffocating her. The whirlwind of heartbreak and betrayal had transformed into a fierce determination, igniting a fire within her that she had long buried under layers of compliance and subservience. Dominic’s departure had not only severed the last thread of hope she clung to but had also awakened a defiant spirit that demanded to be heard. No longer would she allow herself to be the passive player in a game dictated by the whims of others. The realization that she could forge her own destiny, even in the face of overwhelming odds, began to take root in her heart, replacing the sorrow with a burgeoning sense of agency.
In this moment of clarity, Tessa understood that the pain inflicted by Dominic’s choice would not define her. Instead, it would serve as the catalyst for her transformation. With the shards of her shattered dreams scattered around her, she began to envision a future unbound by the constraints of her past. She was determined to reclaim her narrative, to rise from the ashes of despair and carve out a path that was uniquely hers. As she wiped away the remnants of her tears, a fierce resolve settled in her chest. Tessa would no longer be a mere whisper in the background; she would become the author of her own story, a force to be reckoned with in a world that had underestimated her strength.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the upcoming chapter, Tessa’s emotional upheaval will reach a boiling point as she grapples with the fallout of Dominic’s departure. The shattered remnants of her hopes will provoke a fierce resolve within her, igniting a fire that may lead her down a path of unexpected alliances and daring schemes. As she wrestles with her heartbreak, Tessa will not only confront Margaery but also delve deeper into the intricate web of power dynamics at play, revealing hidden motives and unearthing secrets that could change the course of her life forever. Readers can anticipate a riveting exploration of Tessa’s transformation from a heartbroken woman into a formidable force, as she seeks to reclaim her agency in a world that has conspired against her.
Meanwhile, Dominic’s internal conflict will unfold, revealing the complexities of his choices and the weight of the expectations that bind him to Margaery. As he navigates his new reality, he will face challenges that test his loyalty and conviction, leading to moments of introspection that could either solidify his path or force him to reconsider the cost of ambition. The tension between duty and desire will build, setting the stage for a confrontation that could alter the trajectory of all involved. Will Tessa’s determination to fight back draw him back into her orbit, or will he remain ensnared by the allure of power and status?
As the chapter progresses, the stakes will rise, and alliances will be tested, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how love, ambition, and betrayal will intertwine in this gripping tale. Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions and unexpected twists that will keep you guessing until the very last moment.
