His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 12

**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 12**

In the days that Marina spent confined to the sterile walls of the hospital, Lavern and Shawna seemed to grow bolder with their antics, almost as if they were reveling in the secrecy of their actions. Each day, while she lay in her bed, her phone buzzed incessantly with anonymous messages from her colleagues. Some were simply curious, while others were more direct, bluntly stating that Lavern’s relationship with Shawna was entirely inappropriate.

Anyone with even a hint of discernment could sense the odd dynamics at play—here was a fresh graduate, barely out of school, receiving undue attention from the company president. Yet, Lavern, in his arrogance, genuinely believed he was pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes.

As the hours turned into days, Marina noticed a growing detachment from him. His daily texts, which had once been filled with concern about her schedule, now felt like mere obligations. It was as if he had forgotten the essence of their connection, leaving her to wonder if she had finally peeled back the layers of his facade to see the man he truly was. Strangely enough, this realization didn’t sting as much as it should have; perhaps she had grown indifferent to his antics.

Her injury, while painful, was not as severe as she had feared. After three days, with the discomfort beginning to subside, she was discharged and made her way back to Alyssa’s quaint little villa, a place that felt like a sanctuary where she could begin to heal.

It was there, in the comforting confines of her temporary home, that her phone buzzed again. This time, it was the wedding coordinator reaching out to confirm a change in the display photo for the upcoming wedding. “Ms. Finley, are you absolutely certain about using this one for the on-site setup?”

Marina frowned at the message. She had never requested any change. “What?” she typed back, bewildered.

The reply came swiftly. “Our team spoke with Mr. Ross yesterday regarding the details, and he mentioned that you had requested the swap.”

A light bulb flickered in Marina’s mind. It was clear now that Lavern was indulging Shawna to such an extent that she had the audacity to answer his calls and make decisions on his behalf.

When she fell silent, the coordinator followed up cautiously, “Ms. Finley, can you confirm the switch?”

The team had believed her original choice was perfect for the display, and the new option—a distant shot—barely captured her features.

“Yeah, go for it,” she responded, her voice steady. If Lavern was so comfortable with Shawna leaving her mark on the wedding, then Marina was more than willing to orchestrate a ceremony that would etch itself into his memory forever.

The coordinator attempted to persuade her a couple of times, but seeing her determination, they ultimately acquiesced. They suggested a meeting to discuss other details, but Marina waved off the idea, insisting they stick to the current plan. Not wanting to provoke her further, the coordinator ended the call.

Marina slipped her phone into her pocket and reclined on the lounge chair in the yard, letting her eyes flutter shut. The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue over her, wrapping her in a blanket of tranquility. It was a moment of peace she had longed for, but it was abruptly shattered when Yesenia Ray, the owner of Shawna’s company, appeared at her doorstep.

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