His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 11

**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 11**

Marina lay in her hospital bed, her gaze fixed on Lavern as he occupied the chair beside her. She searched his eyes, hoping to find even a flicker of the warmth that once characterized their passionate relationship. But as she studied his expression, it became painfully clear that the man she once knew had vanished.

“No thanks,” she replied, her tone steady, betraying none of the turmoil inside her. “The doctor assured me my foot is perfectly fine; it won’t interfere with the wedding at all.” She had meticulously orchestrated every detail of the impending nuptials, determined that nothing would derail her plans. Just fourteen more days, and she would be free from this suffocating reality.

Lavern’s brow furrowed, his demeanor heavy with a sternness that sent a shiver down her spine. A flicker of dissatisfaction danced in his eyes, and it made her stomach twist. “There’s so much to take care of for the wedding,” he began, his voice laced with an insincere concern that grated on her nerves. “And my mother isn’t in the best of health. She can’t assist much. I’m genuinely worried that you won’t be able to manage everything on your own.”

His pretense of caring for her well-being, when it was really just a façade to protect Shawna, filled Marina with disgust.

“Aren’t you really just worried about how Shawna will react if she finds out we’re going through with the wedding?” she shot back, her voice sharp, cutting through the tension like a knife.

For a moment, Lavern seemed taken aback, the words catching in his throat. When he finally spoke, his voice rose slightly, betraying his agitation. “Why bring her up out of nowhere?”

Marina didn’t hesitate. “Then why did you show up at the hospital with her, unannounced?”

A fleeting moment of guilt flickered across Lavern’s features, but he quickly masked it, his expression hardening once more. “I already explained; it was about my health.”

Marina interrupted him, her voice firm. “Where’s your checkup report?”

He froze, caught off guard.

With a cold laugh, she glanced at her phone, checking the time. “By now, your report should be ready. Who’s your doctor? I want to see it.”

An oppressive silence enveloped the room.

Marina’s gaze bore into Lavern, her eyes thick with sarcasm, challenging him to respond.

Just then, a knock at the door shattered the stillness.

Shawna peeked in, her expression timid and cautious. “Mr. Ross, your report’s ready. I noticed you hadn’t come out yet, so I thought I’d grab it for you.”

At the sight of her, Lavern’s shoulders relaxed, the tension visibly dissipating. He stood up, walked to the door, and accepted the paper from Shawna with a sense of relief.

He glanced at the report, then turned back to Marina, tossing it onto the bed with a flourish. “What do you have to say now?”

He loomed over her bedside, radiating an air of superiority, his face devoid of any guilt or shame—just raw arrogance, as if he were determined to dominate her in this moment.

Marina didn’t even bother to pick up the report; instead, she fixed her gaze on Lavern, who felt like a stranger to her now.

Once, she had been willing to stake everything on him, ready to sacrifice her entire world for their love. But now, all his allure had evaporated, leaving behind nothing but a sense of disappointment. She felt… underwhelmed.

With a casual flick, she swept the report off the bed and turned to Shawna, who was still lingering in the doorway, offering a faint smile. “Aren’t you tired of all this?”

Shawna dropped her gaze, avoiding Marina’s eyes, clearly uncomfortable.

Lavern stepped in front of Shawna, blocking her from view. “That’s enough! If you’re determined not to postpone, then we’ll stick to the plan. But don’t take your frustration out on someone who is innocent in all this.”

Shawna stood behind Lavern, her head held high, her eyes shimmering with unabashed adoration as she looked at him. “Mr. Ross…”

Lavern turned, his expression softening momentarily. “I’ll walk you out.”

Shawna bit her lip, hesitating as she glanced back at Marina. “You should stay here with Marina.”

Lavern cast a sidelong glance at Marina, who was watching him intently, and for a brief second, he hesitated. But seeing her unwavering gaze, he furrowed his brow and headed for the door.

As he reached the threshold, Marina’s voice cut through the air, languid and deliberate. “Lavern, it’s not like I have to marry you or anything.”

His face darkened, transforming into an icy scowl. In a swift motion, he seized Shawna’s hand and stormed out of the ward, leaving a heavy silence in their wake.

As they departed, Shawna turned her head back, casting a look at Marina that was thick with provocation, a silent challenge that hung in the air.

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