Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale ` 3 Summary
In Chapter 3 of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” Tessa experiences an emotional moment as tears threaten to spill while Raul, her protector, confronts Margaery about her past behavior towards Tessa. Raul’s authority looms large as he demands a public apology from Margaery at the upcoming recognition party, a request that sends shivers down Margaery’s spine, knowing the potential damage to her reputation among high-ranking families. The pressure mounts as Margaery realizes that her father’s expectations could shape her future, leading her to reluctantly agree to the apology.
As Margaery reflects on her circumstances, she finds herself in a new, less favorable environment at Gracewind Garden, feeling abandoned and suffering from health issues. With no support from her family, she contemplates seeking help from Craig Eastwick, a healer she had previously dismissed, and resolves to break free from the Wallen family’s control. This newfound determination marks a pivotal shift in her character, as she prepares to embrace a path of independence and self-discovery.
On the day of the recognition party, Margaery is urged by Avery to present herself well, despite her internal turmoil and the weight of her past actions. As she arrives at the event, she is met with scrutiny and whispers from the guests, who are quick to judge her character based on her history with Tessa. Tessa, however, attempts to defend Margaery, but the situation quickly spirals as Margaery’s attempt at an apology is overshadowed by Russell’s taunts, forcing her to confront her past mistakes in front of an audience eager for drama.
The chapter builds tension as Margaery grapples with her emotions, the expectations of her family, and the judgment of society. Despite her intentions to apologize, the atmosphere becomes increasingly hostile, with Russell and others pushing her to admit her wrongdoings publicly. Margaery’s struggle to navigate this complex social landscape reflects her internal conflict between wanting to reclaim her narrative and the fear of further humiliation. The chapter concludes with Margaery at a crossroads, torn between her past and the uncertain future that awaits her.
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**TITLE: Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows by Aren Cole Vale**
**Chapter 3**
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Before Tessa could complete her sentence, a wave of emotion surged within her, causing tears to brim in her eyes. They cascaded down her cheeks, but she quickly wiped them away, desperate to maintain her composure.
Watching this unfold, Raul felt a stirring in his heart, a blend of warmth and a sharp twinge of sorrow.
“You’re such a sensible child,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. He sighed deeply, the words catching in his throat, and reached out to tousle Tessa’s hair affectionately. Then, with a stern expression, he turned his attention to Margaery.
“Look at Tessa! Just look at her! And then glance at yourself! It’s one thing to have pushed her aside in the past, but now you’ve gone so far as to shove her down the mountain!”
His voice thundered with authority, and the weight of his words hung in the air. “I won’t let you off without teaching you a lesson! You may leave the firewood shed today, but mark my words—tomorrow, at the recognition party, you will publicly apologize to Tessa and vow never to bully her again!”
The notion of a public apology sent a chill down Margaery’s spine. It would devastate her reputation.
Tomorrow, the event would be attended by families of high-ranking officials. If Margaery were to confess to pushing Tessa down the mountain, she would be branded a troublemaker, a pariah. The whispers would echo through the halls of society, and no respectable family would consider her for marriage after such a scandal.
At her age, the pressure of marriage was looming ever closer.
The stakes were far too high if this was intended to be a lesson.
This was her father, the man who wielded such power over her future.
Margaery fixed her gaze on him for an extended moment before finally conceding, “Fine.”
Perfect. The recognition party would not only serve as a platform for her to express her apology but also symbolize her departure from the Chancellor’s estate, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
The greater the crowd, the more witnesses to her resolve.
“Then you may leave. Tessa still needs time to recover, and your presence here is only causing her discomfort,” Raul stated, his thoughts lingering on Tessa’s meek demeanor in Margaery’s presence. He waved dismissively, urging her to exit.
Night had already fallen.
Margaery made her way back to Gracewind Garden, her thoughts swirling like the autumn leaves outside.
Before Tessa’s arrival, she had resided in Twilight Retreat, a place she had once cherished. Plans to move into Blissom Hall had led to the demolition of Twilight Retreat, a decision that now felt like a cruel twist of fate.
11:40, Saturday, December 13, 64
Chapter a
Yet, despite her plans, she found herself in Sunbeam Court, the remnants of her beloved Twilight Retreat now just a memory. Raul had finally sent her to the abandoned Gracewind Garden, a shadow of her former life.
This winter, not a single soul bothered to send charcoal to warm her room.
The maid, having been bribed by Tessa, turned a blind eye to her return. No one came to care for her.
This was no place for her to reside.
After enduring the humiliation of kneeling and the confinement in the firewood shed, her body had begun to betray her. Severe rheumatism had taken hold of her joints, and she knew she needed treatment without delay.
The household’s only doctor was Avery.
But Avery’s attention was now fully devoted to Tan, and the rest of the family offered no support or assistance.
She had only one viable option: to leave the Wallen family and seek out Craig Eastwick for help.
Craig was a reclusive healer, known for his ability to cure ailments like hers.
In her previous life, Craig had expressed a desire to take her on as an apprentice, providing her with numerous prescriptions. Yet, at that time, she had been too preoccupied with mending her relationship with the Chancellor’s estate, using Craig’s remedies merely to gain Avery’s favor.
This time, however, she was resolute in her decision to become Craig’s apprentice, to break free from the Wallen family’s grasp, and to forge her own destiny.
With that determination in mind, Margaery lay down fully clothed, surrendering to sleep.
The following morning, she was jolted awake by Avery’s enthusiastic voice echoing from outside her door.
“Margaery, hurry and change into something suitable for Tessa’s recognition party! Don’t dare show up looking like a beggar and embarrass yourself!”
As he entered, he placed a set of exquisite new clothes on the table, crafted from the finest silk and satin befitting a lady of the Chancellor’s estate.
In her previous life, Margaery had clashed with Tessa over such garments, much to Avery’s annoyance.
Now, however, they seemed like mere frivolities.
Only genuine skills would allow her to carve out a place for herself in this unforgiving world.
“Thank you, Avery,” she replied, rising to wash her face and don the new attire.
Yet, Avery couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something was amiss.
11:40, Saturday, December 13
Chapter 3
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The last time he had visited her in the firewood shed, she had clung to his legs, sobbing uncontrollably, refusing to acknowledge her mistakes as tears and snot mingled in a pitiful display.
Now, she appeared distant, almost as if she had detached herself from the emotional turmoil that had plagued her.
And just like that, she had seemingly accepted all her wrongs—it felt too abrupt, too suspicious.
But Avery chose not to dwell on it. After all, Margaery had been coddled her entire life, treated like fragile glass, shielded from harm.
It was only natural that she would be emotionally shaken after her days of confinement in the firewood shed.
He assumed she would come around in a few days.
Once she embraced Tessa and the dust settled, he would shower her with gifts to smooth over any lingering tensions.
With that thought in mind, Avery couldn’t resist offering some last-minute advice.
“Remember, when you arrive, speak properly. All the families of high-ranking officials will be there today. First, it’s to introduce Tessa to everyone and ensure she is well taken care of. Second, it’s to discuss her marriage prospects.
“If you mess this up, Father will never forgive you.”
Margaery looked up at him, a chill creeping into her heart.
Tessa’s marriage prospects had been secured at the expense of her own shattered reputation.
This was her father, and this was her family.
“I will apologize to Tessa, don’t worry, Avery,” Margaery assured him, averting her gaze as she stepped out the door.
She was determined not to repeat the mistakes of her past life—crying and causing a scene in front of all the noble families in Sinderin City, merely to make Tessa appear more composed and virtuous.
This time, she would set the record straight and reclaim her narrative.
As she arrived at the party, the venue was already teeming with guests.
Tessa stood proudly at Raul’s side, basking in the radiance of the moment, her small face illuminated by a sweet, bashful smile that was impossible to resist.
Upon spotting Margaery, she exclaimed softly, “Margaery, you’re here!”
Instantly, all eyes shifted toward Margaery.
“So, this is the Wallen family’s daughter, Lady Margaery? She appears proper enough, but who would have guessed she harbors such jealousy that she can’t even tolerate Lady Tessa?”
“Her heart is as venomous as a serpent’s. She probably wishes to harm Tessa.”
11:40, Saturday, December 13
Chapter 3
“Such a woman should be avoided. Whoever marries her will surely regret it!”
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Tessa quickly stepped forward, eager to defend Margaery. “Ladies and gentlemen, please be kind.”
She turned her gaze toward Margaery, concern etched on her features. “Margaery, I see you have a rash. Is your allergy flaring up again? Should we have Avery take a look at it?”
Margaery almost wanted to applaud Tessa for her performance.
With talent like that, it was a shame she wasn’t on stage.
Avery, noticing the rash on Margaery’s skin, erupted with anger. “Margaery, why didn’t you inform me about this allergy? How could you be so careless?”
Guilt washed over him for not having noticed sooner.
Frustrated, he quickly ordered the servants to fetch medicine for Margaery, thinking, ‘How could I have been so oblivious to this?’
Tessa felt a tightening in her chest at the sight.
Originally, she had hoped to spread the word about Margaery’s allergy, knowing that no one would want to marry a sickly woman.
But her plan had backfired—Avery was now overly concerned for Margaery’s well-being.
Still, she figured it was best to stoke the flames of the situation further.
Margaery had seen through her act before, and she was not about to fall for it again.
“Thank you for your concern, Tessa. The rash isn’t severe. It’s merely a result of kneeling for an entire day and night in the snowstorm, followed by a few days in the cold wind of the firewood shed, which has exacerbated it.”
She cast a glance at Raul, who was seated higher up, and continued, “I should actually thank Father. If he hadn’t punished me so harshly, I wouldn’t have come to realize so many things. Father was right—I, as the elder sister, should never have made you kneel for half an hour, causing you to catch a cold.”
“I ask for your forgiveness, Tessa. Please, forgive me.”
Avery nodded, a sense of satisfaction washing over him.
He believed that as long as she acknowledged her mistakes, she remained his good sister.
“Margaery truly seems to have reflected on her actions and is prepared to change?”
The guests exchanged uneasy glances. “Wait, is she referring to that day in the snowstorm? Kneeling for an entire day and night in that cold? And then being locked in the firewood shed?”
“Good heavens, Lord Chancellor is cruel.”
11:40, Saturday, December 13
Chapter 3
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“No, it’s not cruelty. It’s more like bias, don’t you think? He makes Lady Margaery kneel for a whole day and night, and she doesn’t even catch a cold, while Lady Tessa kneels for just half an hour and ends up sick and needing medication.”
“No wonder Margaery would feel envious.”
The atmosphere shifted, and the expressions of the guests grew tense.
Tessa, overhearing the whispers, paled visibly.
She glanced behind her, her eyes brimming with tears.
Russell, seated inside, sneered at the unfolding scene. “Everyone, don’t heed Margaery’s nonsense!”
He rose and approached her, his eyes narrowing as he scoffed, “Margaery, if you’ve truly learned your lesson, you should apologize to Tessa now, rather than trying to play the victim!”
A smug smile crept across Russell’s handsome face.
The Wallen family was a prestigious one, and their reputation was a carefully guarded treasure.
If no one had intentionally spread the rumors, they wouldn’t have circulated so rapidly, becoming common knowledge.
It was Russell who had disseminated tales of Margaery pushing Tessa down the artificial mountain, a deliberate act of revenge meant to humiliate her and strip her of her dignity in front of everyone. He wanted to ensure she was removed from the list of eligible young ladies in Sinderin City.
He desired for Margaery to experience the same anguish Tessa had endured.
Russell’s gaze bore into Margaery, unyielding and resolute.
Behind him, a few of his classmates from Inkwell Academy chimed in, “Lord Russell is right! You still haven’t apologized for the incident on the mountain!”
“Yeah, you came here to apologize, didn’t you?”
“Then go ahead and apologize!”
Behind Margaery, Avery gave her a gentle shove. “Margaery, hurry up and speak! You came here to apologize to Tessa, didn’t you?”
Russell leaned in close, his voice a harsh whisper in her ear. “Say something!”
Conclusion
In the charged atmosphere of the recognition party, Margaery stood at a crossroads, her past misdeeds weighing heavily on her. The whispers of the guests echoed in her ears, a haunting reminder of the cruelty she had inflicted on Tessa. Yet, as she looked at Tessa, who stood resolutely beside Raul, a flicker of understanding ignited within her. Margaery realized that the path to redemption lay not in the silks and satins that adorned her but in the sincerity of her words. With a heart full of trepidation, she took a deep breath and prepared to confront the shadows of her past, knowing that this moment could either shatter her or set her free.
As Margaery finally spoke, the weight of her apology hung in the air like a fragile promise. The tension shifted, and for the first time, she felt a sense of liberation, as if the chains of her former life were beginning to rust away. Tessa’s eyes, filled with a mixture of surprise and empathy, reflected the possibility of forgiveness, a glimmer of hope in a world that had once seemed so unforgiving. In that moment, Margaery understood that true strength lay not in power or reputation, but in vulnerability and the courage to change. As the murmurs of the crowd faded into the background, she felt the first stirrings of a new beginning, one that would shape her distant tomorrows and allow her to reclaim not just her narrative, but her very self.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the upcoming chapter of “Whispers Shape Distant Tomorrows,” readers can expect the tension to escalate as Margaery grapples with the weight of her past actions and the eyes of society upon her. The recognition party, meant to be a moment of redemption for Tessa, will serve as a battleground for Margaery’s reputation and future. With the pressure mounting from both her family and the crowd, will Margaery find the courage to confront her mistakes, or will she succumb to the whispers that threaten to drown her? The stakes are higher than ever, and the consequences of her choices could alter the course of her life forever.
As the atmosphere thickens with anticipation, the chapter promises to delve deeper into the dynamics between Tessa, Margaery, and the influential figures surrounding them. Readers will be on the edge of their seats, wondering if Tessa’s newfound confidence will shine through amidst the chaos or if Margaery’s attempts at redemption will backfire spectacularly. With Russell’s taunts echoing in her ears and the judgment of the crowd weighing heavily on her shoulders, Margaery’s next move could either restore her dignity or plunge her further into disgrace. The intricate web of relationships and rivalries will unravel, revealing the true nature of loyalty, jealousy, and the fight for one’s identity in a world that thrives on gossip and rivalry.
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.
