Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale 70 Summary
In “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” Marina’s recent decisions leave Lavern feeling unmoored and anxious. He is shocked to learn that Marina has not only kept her grandmother’s death a secret but has also sold their beloved villa and let go of Robert, her long-time assistant. Lavern grapples with the implications of her choices, questioning why she would sever ties with someone so integral to her life and their shared work at Ross Group. The lawyer attempts to reassure him, reminding Lavern of Marina’s rational nature and her deep investment in the company, but Lavern’s unease lingers as he struggles to understand her motivations.
As Lavern processes his feelings, he receives distressing news about Shawna, who is experiencing severe complications during her pregnancy. The gravity of the situation pulls him away from his worries about Marina, and he rushes to the hospital. There, he finds Shawna in pain, grappling with her own fears about losing the baby and the precariousness of her relationship with Lavern. Despite her attempts to mask her resentment towards Lavern with vulnerability, the tension between them is palpable, and Lavern’s emotional distance only exacerbates her anxiety.
In the hospital, Shawna tries to manipulate Lavern’s feelings, expressing a need for his support while simultaneously feeling the weight of her own insecurities and fears. As Lavern tends to her, his actions are careful but devoid of warmth, revealing the emotional chasm that has developed between them. Shawna’s desperation grows as she realizes the precariousness of her situation, especially as she reflects on how Marina’s influence has affected her life. The arrival of the doctor and the suggestion of an IV drip heightens her anxiety, leading to a moment of panic as she fears for her and her baby’s safety.
In a shocking turn, Lavern’s coldness culminates in him delivering a severance payment to Shawna, indicating a permanent end to their relationship. Her pleas for understanding and connection fall on deaf ears, and as she grapples with the reality of losing both Lavern and the leverage her pregnancy provided, she experiences an intense physical pain. This moment of crisis leads to her losing consciousness, symbolizing the collapse of her hopes and the stark reality of her isolation. The story concludes with a sense of despair as Shawna realizes that the very connection she believed would save her has vanished, leaving her vulnerable and alone.
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**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
Every choice Marina had made recently had left Lavern reeling, as if the very ground beneath his feet had shifted without warning.
She hadn’t confided in him about her grandmother’s passing. She had sold the villa they had cherished together, and, perhaps most shocking of all, she had let Robert go—an assistant she had relied on for nearly seven years.
Lavern had always assumed that Marina’s ties to Ross Group were unbreakable; he believed she would never sever those connections.
But here she was, making decisions that suggested a permanent departure. Why would she fire Robert, a loyal aide, when she could simply welcome him back if she chose to return? Instead, she had opted to let him go entirely, even arranging for his double compensation as a parting gift.
It was as if she had made up her mind to move on, leaving no space for Robert to linger in her wake.
The lawyer, sensing the turmoil in Lavern’s heart, hesitated for a moment. He understood that Lavern’s worries were not unfounded.
Yet, he chose to offer Lavern some comforting words. “Mr. Ross, remember that Ms. Finley co-founded Ross Group alongside you. Your lives and careers have been intertwined for years. She has always been the rational one. I truly doubt she would take actions that would harm her own interests over something as trivial as this,” the lawyer reassured him.
As the lawyer spoke, Lavern felt the tension in his chest begin to ease.
Gradually, the worry that had clouded his gaze began to dissipate.
“You’re right. I’ve been letting my fears get the better of me,” Lavern admitted, a hint of relief washing over him.
But deep down, a nagging thought lingered—how could Marina even contemplate leaving? Ross Group was as much hers as it was his. She had invested her heart and soul into it, nurturing it like a child.
Her reputation and standing were intricately linked to the group. Without him, who else could provide her with the same level of prestige?
Just as the lawyer was about to exit, his phone buzzed insistently. It was a call from the branch office.
After answering, his expression shifted to one of grave concern.
“Mr. Ross, Ms. Thornton is experiencing severe stomach cramps. The team has rushed her to the hospital. Would you like to go see her?” the lawyer asked, knowing full well that Shawna was carrying Lavern’s child.
Lavern’s demeanor darkened instantly. He sat in silence for a heartbeat, contemplating the implications of this news, before rising to his feet.
“Let’s go,” he said curtly, his mind already racing with worry.
—
At the hospital, Shawna lay there, gripped by excruciating pain.
She had already been showing signs of a threatened miscarriage. After Lavern had pushed her to the ground the day before, and the relentless questioning from the staff had left her feeling cornered, she had finally collapsed at the office, unable to bear it any longer.
When the doctor had assured her that the baby was still okay, Shawna had released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
Just as Marina had pointed out, the child she carried was her only leverage. If she lost that, Lavern would not hesitate to walk away without a second thought.
Earlier, she had given Carrie some advice, knowing that Carrie was the one who had reached out to Hyman. If Carrie remained consistent in her story, there would be no way for her to pin the blame on Shawna.
After all, since Carrie had arrived in the city to care for her, Shawna had barely stepped outside, let alone encountered Hyman or anyone else.
The mere thought of how Marina had sabotaged the wedding, slipping away from Hyman and his crew unscathed, only to turn around and paint Shawna as the villain, stoked the flames of resentment that burned within her.
When Lavern entered the room, he immediately sensed the simmering resentment in her gaze.
He stood at the threshold, his expression somber, disappointment etched across his features.
‘How could I have been so blind six months ago, believing Shawna was anything like Marina?’ he thought, a wave of realization crashing over him.
‘They are worlds apart. There’s nothing about them that even remotely connects,’ he chastised himself.
Shawna, hearing the sound of his entrance, turned to face him, quickly masking her resentment with a facade of vulnerability.
“Lavern, I thought you wouldn’t come to see me. I thought you didn’t want me anymore,” she said, her voice quivering with feigned sorrow.
Lavern approached her bedside, his expression unreadable.
Shawna wrapped her arms around his waist, beginning to sniffle. Just yesterday, she had pleaded with him to help her escape her situation, and he had turned his back on her without so much as a glance.
Now, with him here, her anxiety began to ease, if only slightly.
He placed a hand on her head, but there was no warmth in his gaze, only a cold distance.
“Stop worrying. If you’re unwell, you need to rest,” Lavern instructed, his tone devoid of emotion.
Shawna nodded, adopting a sweet demeanor, desperate to project an image of helplessness. “The doctor said our baby is fine, but I really can’t handle any more drama or shocks,” she murmured, her voice laced with a hint of desperation.
Lavern didn’t reply, his hand lingering on her head for just a moment, as if he were lost in thought.
Shawna bit her lip, looking up at him with wide, innocent eyes filled with pleading.
“Lavern, this whole situation with Marina has nothing to do with me. It was Hyman who contacted Carrie. I never wanted to be in conflict with Marina over you. I just wish you’d notice me and our baby every now and then. That’s all I’ve ever wanted,” she said, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and hope.
“Yeah, I know,” Lavern replied, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. A faint smile flickered across his lips, yet his eyes remained as cold as ice. There was no warmth in his demeanor, just a chilling detachment that seeped into every word he spoke.
Shawna felt a shiver of unease grip her heart, but Lavern continued his gentle motions, adjusting her blanket and ensuring she was comfortable.
“I just spoke with the doctor. She advised you to rest and not overthink things. Since this situation has nothing to do with you, let it go and focus on your recovery,” he said, his voice calm yet distant.
Shawna nodded obediently, swallowing her disappointment.
Moments later, the lawyer entered, carrying a basket of fruit, and Lavern took it from him, pulling up a chair beside Shawna. He began to peel the fruit for her, his gestures careful and considerate, as if he were trying to reassure her through his actions.
Watching him, Shawna felt her worries begin to dissolve.
She gazed at Lavern with a tenderness that swelled in her chest, her eyes sparkling with affection.
“Lavern, thank you for staying with me,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
‘Let Marina turn the world upside down for all I care. No matter what she does, Lavern is here with me today,’ Shawna thought, a feeling of smug satisfaction bubbling within her.
Just then, the doctor entered, carrying several bags of IV fluid.
Shawna eyed the doctor warily, her defenses rising.
“Didn’t you say my baby was fine? Why do I need an IV?” she questioned, her voice tight with anxiety.
Lavern handed her a peeled apple, speaking softly. “It’s just a nutrient IV. Given the warning signs you’ve had, it’s best to follow the doctor’s advice,” he reassured her.
Reluctantly, she accepted it, nodding and taking the apple from Lavern, nibbling at it slowly.
Lavern remained at her side, patiently waiting for the IV drip to finish before he finally rose from his chair.
“Lavern, are you really leaving?” Panic gripped Shawna’s heart as she clutched his arm, desperate to keep him from departing.
He gently pried her hand off, his eyes now completely devoid of warmth.
“I’ve sent you a severance payment. From this moment on, please do not contact me again,” Lavern said, his voice as cold and unyielding as ice.
Shawna’s face drained of color, shock rendering her speechless.
She could hardly comprehend how the man who had been so tender just moments ago could turn on her with such chilling indifference.
“Is this because Marina made you break up with me?” Shawna cried out, her voice shaky and filled with desperation.
‘It must be her. That damn Marina. She’s the one ruining everything!’ Anger and jealousy surged within her, igniting a fire in her heart.
Taking a deep, shaky breath, she felt a sudden stab of pain in her belly.
“Lavern, my stomach hurts so much! Please, call the doctor!” Shawna gasped, panic lacing her words.
The pain was so intense that she felt herself teetering on the edge of unconsciousness.
Yet Lavern merely regarded her with a chilling indifference, as if the life growing inside her meant nothing to him.
In that moment, a realization struck Shawna like a lightning bolt. Her heart raced, and her eyes darted to the IV drip. Before she could process it, everything around her faded to black as she lost consciousness.
Her only bargaining chip had vanished.
And the very person who had given her that leverage was the one who had taken it away.
Conclusion
As the dust began to settle from the emotional upheaval that had engulfed Lavern, Marina, and Shawna, it became clear that the fragile threads connecting their lives were unraveling at an alarming rate. Lavern’s confrontation with the reality of his relationships forced him to reevaluate his choices and the people he surrounded himself with. The stark contrast between Marina’s resolute departure and Shawna’s desperate clinging to hope painted a vivid picture of love and loss. In the sterile hospital room, Lavern’s cold detachment from Shawna signaled a shift within him—a recognition that he could no longer afford to be tethered to a past that was slipping away. The stark realization that Shawna was not the partner he had once envisioned for himself weighed heavily on him, and the promise of a future with her dimmed under the shadow of Marina’s absence.
For Shawna, the moment of reckoning came as a devastating blow, stripping her of the last vestiges of control she believed she had. In her desperate grasp for Lavern’s affection, she had overlooked the reality that her leverage—the child she carried—was not enough to bind him to her. As she faded into unconsciousness, the realization that Lavern’s heart had already chosen a different path left her utterly vulnerable. The winds of change had swept through their lives, carrying with them lost promises and unfulfilled dreams, leaving Lavern to confront the haunting question of whether he could ever reclaim what he had lost with Marina. In this tangled web of love, betrayal, and the quest for identity, each character stood at a crossroads, their fates intertwined yet irrevocably altered by the choices they had made.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the upcoming chapter of “Winds Carry Lost Promises,” readers can expect the tension to escalate as Lavern grapples with the consequences of his decisions. With Shawna’s health in jeopardy and the stakes higher than ever, he must confront the reality of his relationships and the choices that have led him to this critical moment. Will he be able to reconcile his feelings for Marina with the obligations he feels toward Shawna? The emotional turmoil within him is bound to reach a boiling point, and the choices he makes could alter the course of their intertwined lives forever.
Meanwhile, Marina’s mysterious departure from the Ross Group looms large, raising questions about her true intentions. As Lavern struggles with his feelings of betrayal and concern, will he uncover the reasons behind Marina’s drastic actions? The chapter promises to delve deeper into her psyche, exploring her motivations and the weight of her decisions. As the winds of change blow through their lives, the ramifications of their actions will ripple outward, affecting not only their personal lives but also the future of the Ross Group itself. Prepare for revelations that could shatter alliances and forge new paths, as the characters are forced to confront the ghosts of their pasts and the promises they once made.
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.
