His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 24

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

**Chapter 24**

Shawna’s complexion drained of color, yet she leaned into Lavern’s touch, pressing her cheek against his palm with a mix of affection and uncertainty. “How could I ever stand up to Marina?” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “I know she can be spoiled and willful around you, but I can’t bring myself to be like that. Competing with her is a battle I won’t fight, nor will I ever seek your attention in that way.”

A sense of relief washed over Lavern at Shawna’s response. He reached up, affectionately tousling her hair, a gesture that conveyed both reassurance and camaraderie.

Nearby, Carrie observed the scene, her eyes narrowing at the sight of Shawna’s submissiveness. The stark contrast between Shawna’s gentle compliance and Marina’s domineering nature only intensified her disdain for Marina.

“You know,” Carrie interjected, her tone sharp and insistent, “I really think you should reconsider the wedding with Marina. Shawna is pregnant now; this is the perfect chance for you two to get married and make everything official, especially with a baby on the way.”

Carrie’s inner thoughts churned with a mix of hope and determination. Deep down, she believed that if Shawna married Lavern, the child she carried would be the legitimate heir to the Ross family legacy, a status that could change everything.

However, Lavern’s mood, which had just begun to improve, soured in an instant. “Mom, nothing will change the fact that Marina and I are getting married,” he stated firmly, his voice carrying a weight that left no room for argument.

Carrie’s expression hardened into a scowl, her displeasure evident.

Shawna, sensing the tension in the air, lowered her gaze, choosing to rise from her seat beside Lavern. “Lavern,” she said softly, “you haven’t had breakfast yet, have you? Let me go prepare something for you.”

Lavern nodded slightly, his gratitude unspoken but palpable.

As soon as Shawna disappeared into the kitchen, Carrie seized the opportunity and plopped down on the sofa next to Lavern, her demeanor shifting to one of urgency. “Shawna is already pregnant; don’t you think she deserves some kind of proper status? What kind of spell has Marina cast over you? You’d deny your own child their rightful place in the family just to keep Marina happy?”

Weak and feverish, Lavern rubbed his forehead in frustration, feeling the weight of Carrie’s words pressing down on him. “I’ll make sure Shawna and the baby are taken care of outside the main house,” he snapped, irritation creeping into his tone. “They won’t lack for anything—money, daily needs, whatever they require. If you care about Shawna and the child, you can visit them whenever you like. But do not let this become a vendetta against Marina.”

Carrie had spent her entire life in Pefnard, clinging to traditional values. After her husband’s death, she had chosen to remain single, holding onto her reputation while focusing solely on raising Lavern.

Lavern’s words struck her like a blow, leaving her momentarily speechless as she grappled with the implications.

Gritting her teeth, she pressed on, her voice rising with indignation. “So you’re just going to let Shawna linger in your life without any real title or status? And what about the child? Do you honestly believe Marina would accept a baby from another woman?”

Lavern frowned, his irritation bubbling to the surface.

Marina would never accept a child that belonged to Shawna, and he couldn’t allow her to discover the truth about their relationship.

“Mom,” he replied, his voice firm, “Marina and I have been together for so many years; our bond is deep. She wouldn’t tolerate even the slightest betrayal. She knows nothing about me and Shawna, and I expect you to keep it that way.”

Carrie’s frustration boiled over. “You might be afraid of her, but I am not. You’ve been together all this time, and she hasn’t given you a single child. If she’s just occupying a space without doing her part, she should step aside and let someone else take it.”

Lavern bristled at her bluntness. “If you continue to speak about Marina like this, I swear I’ll send you back to the village.” His voice was sharp, anger fueling his words as he struggled to maintain control.

Carrie, despite her resentment, still felt a flicker of fear at his tone. With a sour expression, she bit her tongue, deciding it was best not to push further. Instead, she rose from the sofa in a huff and stormed into the kitchen.

Inside the kitchen, Shawna had overheard every word exchanged between Lavern and Carrie.

She had hoped that by using her pregnancy to keep Lavern close, she might elevate her standing in his heart, even if just a little. But in the end, she felt the weight of her inadequacy compared to Marina.

Biting her lip, she watched as Carrie entered the kitchen, quietly wiping away tears by the sink. Shawna approached her gently, offering comfort.

“Carrie,” she said softly, “please don’t be upset. Lavern is just trying to think about the bigger picture. The Ross Group is the company that Marina and Lavern built together. If they were to part ways, it would affect the business.”

Satisfied with the conversation, Shawna picked up the breakfast she had prepared for Lavern and left the kitchen, her heart heavy yet hopeful.

**Chapter 21**

Lavern settled at the table, but the sight of the bland, watery pasta before him extinguished any appetite he might have had in an instant.

He couldn’t help but recall the vibrant, aromatic pasta Marina had made that morning; it had been a feast for the senses. Even though he hadn’t tasted it, the lingering scent seemed to haunt him, a reminder of what he was missing.

With a half-hearted effort, he took a couple of bites before retreating back to the bedroom, the food failing to satisfy him in any way.

When Carrie entered, bringing him water and medicine, he was irritably scrolling through his chat history with Marina on his phone.

The messages from weeks ago were all one-sided, filled with his texts to her, starkly devoid of any replies from her end.

Frustration bubbled within him as he swallowed the medicine, sinking back onto the bed. Just as Carrie turned to leave, he called out to her, urgency creeping into his voice.

“Mom, Marina and I are getting married soon. You’re my mother; you can’t just sit this one out. Please find some time to take Marina to the gold shop and pick up some gold pieces for the wedding.”

As he spoke, Lavern pulled a card from his wallet and handed it to Carrie. “Marina has been giving me the cold shoulder lately. I need your help to smooth things over with her.”

He understood that since Kathy’s passing, Marina had been yearning for maternal affection, regretting the distance that had formed between her and Carrie.

If Carrie intervened this time, he hoped it would break the silence and bring Marina back to him.