His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 2

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

The villa Marina had seen listed for sale was astonishingly priced at several hundred thousand dollars below its market value, a fact that quickly ignited a flurry of private messages from eager buyers.

By the time she managed to respond to each inquiry, the clock had crept into the deep hours of the night, the world outside her window cloaked in darkness.

Restless and wide awake, Marina decided to open a popular app that had recently gained traction among women, buzzing with excitement and chatter.

As soon as she logged in, a push notification caught her attention, practically leaping off the screen.

“My lover’s tying the knot in two months, but today I slipped into his fiancée’s wedding dress and hooked up with him right there in the bridal shop! It was exhilarating and so taboo!”

The comments section erupted with a torrent of vitriol directed at the poster, a few users even wishing the algorithm would serve this scandalous revelation to the unsuspecting fiancée.

Marina felt a tremor course through her hand as she clicked on the poster’s profile, her heart pounding in her chest.

She scrolled quickly, her eyes darting until she reached the very first post; it was devoid of any text, just a single poignant photograph. Two hands were clasped together, fingers intertwined in a tender embrace.

It was then that she noticed the small mole on the man’s index finger and the unmistakable ring on his ring finger.

The post was dated six months back, just a week after Lavern had proposed to her, a detail that sent a wave of nausea crashing over her.

Marina stared blankly at her phone, her gaze drifting to the identical ring adorning her own finger, a bitter reminder of promises now tainted.

In a moment of sheer impulse, she yanked the ring off her finger and hurled it into the toilet, her finger hitting the flush with a finality that echoed her thoughts. “No point in clinging to something that’s already soiled,” she thought, a mix of anger and relief washing over her.

Not long after, the poster shared an update. The smug bravado had vanished, replaced by a tone that was desperate and pleading.

“Gut it out with the hate. We’ve got a deal; I’ll hand him back to his fiancée good as new in a month.”

The accompanying photo depicted a man’s back, sprawled out on a bed. The silhouette was so hauntingly familiar that it sent a chill racing down Marina’s spine.

‘Hand him back good as new?’ she scoffed inwardly, a bitter laugh escaping her lips.

In that moment, she understood why people sometimes laughed when words utterly failed them.

Lavern didn’t return home that night. The following morning, he called her without offering any excuses, simply instructing her to meet him at the bridal shop.

Marina arrived at the bridal shop a few minutes ahead of schedule, her heart a tempest of emotions.

Her wedding gown was displayed in the third-floor VIP area, resplendent and immaculate, as if it had never been touched by betrayal.

“Ms. Finley, Mr. Ross is on his way. Why don’t we get you into the dress now? That way, when he arrives, he’ll see you looking flawless right off the bat,” a staff member suggested, her voice polite yet tinged with a flicker of pity in her eyes.

Marina kept her expression neutral, shaking her head firmly. “No thanks. The mere thought makes my stomach churn.”

Before she could finish her sentence, a strong arm wrapped around her waist from behind, pulling her close. The familiar scent of Lavern mixed with the clean aroma of shower gel enveloped her senses, igniting a bittersweet nostalgia.

“Why not, Marina? You have no idea how long I’ve been dreaming of this moment. Try it on for me, please,” he urged, his voice laced with a charm she once found irresistible.

Marina glanced at Lavern, who appeared as fresh as a daisy, not a hint of fatigue on his face despite the late-night escapade he’d supposedly endured. She couldn’t help but scoff internally.

He wasn’t alone; a young woman lingered a few steps back, dressed in light blue jeans and a crisp white blouse, her face adorned with a bright, innocent smile that radiated youth.

Marina peered past Lavern, locking her icy gaze onto the girl. *Was this just another sick twist in their little thrill-seeking game?*

Lavern caught her scrutinizing look, tightening his grip around her waist even as he maintained a facade of calm. “She’s the daughter of a business partner. Her vibe reminds me of you from back in the day. I thought you two might hit it off, so I brought her along for introductions.”

He gestured for the girl to come closer, and she eagerly scampered over, extending her hand. “Hey, Marina! I’m Shawna Thornton. So nice to meet you!”

Marina ignored the handshake, turning her gaze away as if it could shield her from the reality of the situation. “Shawna, good name indeed. Guess not many guys can snap back to reality after meeting you.”

The jab landed, and Shawna’s expression crumbled into a hurt pout. “Are you saying I’m some kind of man-stealer, Marina?”

The arm around her waist tightened painfully, prompting Marina to glance sideways at Lavern, where irritation flickered in his eyes. Only then did he loosen his grip, leaning down to murmur softly in her ear.

“If you’re angry, save it for me at home. You can punch me, scream, whatever floats your boat. But she’s sensitive; don’t call her out like this in front of her. Let’s focus on trying the dress for now.”

The staff, momentarily stunned by the tension, quickly retrieved the wedding dress from the rack, motioning for Marina to try it on.

Marina glanced over at Shawna, catching the way her eyes sparkled with excitement as they fixed on the gown in the staff member’s hands.

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