His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 35

**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 35**

Carrie had long since decided that Shawna’s feelings were of no consequence to her. With a self-satisfied smirk plastered across her face, she strode ahead, her confidence radiating like the sun.

But after just a few strides, she abruptly stopped, pivoting on her heel. The scowl that twisted her features was a clear indication of her irritation when she noticed Shawna lagging behind, seemingly frozen in place.

“What’s the hold-up?” Carrie snapped, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You waiting for me to give you a piggyback ride or something?”

Shawna bit her lip nervously, a wave of regret washing over her for ever inviting Carrie over to “help” her. The memory of the last time Lavern had brought her to visit Carrie in the countryside was still fresh in her mind. Back then, Carrie had played the part of the sweet, doting friend, but Shawna had learned the hard way that the facade could shatter in an instant.

She recalled how Carrie had ranted about her deep-seated grudge against Marina, her words laced with venom and bitterness. Shawna had thought that Carrie would be the perfect partner in their little schemes, but she had never anticipated how swiftly Carrie would change her loyalties, flipping like a coin depending on what suited her best.

Frustration bubbled within Shawna, her teeth grinding together as she felt trapped in this situation. It was infuriating, but there was little she could do to escape it.

“I’ll just grab a taxi,” she muttered, trying to assert some independence.

Carrie huffed dismissively, “You could’ve mentioned that sooner, you know.”

Shawna chose silence, her gaze glued to her phone screen, desperately avoiding Carrie’s piercing stare.

As they waited, Carrie hovered beside her like a hawk, launching into a lecture that Shawna could hardly bear.

“Did you catch what Lavern said before he left? Stay off his phone for a bit. And I’m overlooking that little act you put on last night—pretending your stomach hurt just to drag me and him around.”

Carrie’s tone was sharp, and the implications hit Shawna like a slap. With Lavern poised to ascend the corporate ladder thanks to Marina, Carrie was determined to keep anyone from derailing his plans. To her, Shawna was little more than a means to an end, a vessel for bringing a child into the world, and nothing beyond that.

“Girls like you are only in it for our Lavern’s wallet anyway,” Carrie continued, her voice dripping with disdain. “Once he becomes Sicester’s top earner, do you really think he’ll be loyal to you? Just behave yourself and don’t screw up around Marina. If she gets wind of this, you’ll regret crossing me.”

Shawna’s fingers trembled around her phone, a chill creeping down her spine as if she had unwittingly invited a predator into her space.

When silence lingered between them, Carrie jabbed her elbow into Shawna’s side. “You listening?”

Shawna clenched her jaw, anger surging within her. “Carrie, I’m carrying Lavern’s baby here; why do you have to shove me like that?”

Carrie’s eyes flicked down to Shawna’s baby bump, a mocking smirk forming on her lips. “When I was pregnant with Lavern, I was knee-deep in the fields! What’s your excuse for being so delicate?”

Shawna was momentarily speechless, the words caught in her throat.

Carrie’s gaze lingered on her, a smug grin spreading across her face as she reveled in Shawna’s discomfort. In her mind, she thought, ‘Shawna is such an easy target compared to Marina.’

Marina was a force of nature, never one to back down from a confrontation. When they all lived under the same roof, she would stand her ground, arguing fiercely until she emerged victorious, no matter the stakes.

Carrie couldn’t deny that she despised Marina, but she also understood that when the stakes were high, animosity could quickly turn to camaraderie.

Having spent her life in the sticks, Carrie had learned the rules of survival: only the smartest thrived.

For the past six months, Marina had been lounging at home, contributing nothing to Lavern’s work, and unable to conceive. In Carrie’s eyes, the child growing in Shawna’s womb had become the priority.

But now? With Marina catapulting Lavern’s career to new heights, she had transformed into the golden ticket. Being Sicester’s richest was a game-changer—real money spoke volumes.

In their village, even the local construction boss, with his modest wealth, had two or three side pieces. Once the money started flowing, Lavern would have women lining up, and Carrie wouldn’t have to worry about grandkids again.

With Marina dodging Lavern’s calls, he had called in favors to track down Daron’s private room.

At the restaurant, Lavern took a moment to freshen up the car, spritzing a hint of Marina’s favorite perfume to mask any lingering scent of Shawna or Carrie before stepping inside.

The private room buzzed with a lively atmosphere.

Daron was busy receiving toasts from a group of CEOs, his charisma shining through as he navigated the crowd.

The waiter hurried over with additional utensils for Lavern and pulled a chair into place.

Lavern maintained his smile. “With Marina and me, sharing one wouldn’t be a big deal.”

He shot her a warm, affectionate look, but she didn’t respond. Instead, she reclaimed her glass and shifted her chair a fraction farther away from him.

A cold edge flickered in Lavern’s eyes, and he instinctively reached for her arm, but Daron was already pouring wine into his glass.

He had to play along, steadying the cup and nodding politely at Daron.

Daron bypassed the small shots and went straight for a coffee cup, filling it to the brim, nearly spilling over.

“Mr. Ross is showing real heart here. Knock back these three, and any hard feelings should evaporate, right?”

Once Daron weighed in, the other executives chimed in, murmuring their agreement.

Lavern felt cornered by his own words; he gritted his teeth and chugged them down, each sip a struggle.

Daron poured each drink himself, easing off only when it was on the verge of overflowing.

After three hefty cups, Lavern’s stomach roiled with discomfort.

His cold lingered, and he had wasted the afternoon lurking in that underground garage, waiting for Marina, all on an empty stomach.

At dinners like this in the past, she would have already served him some soup. But today? She remained firmly in her spot, laughing and whispering with Yesenia, completely ignoring him.

A wave of resentment surged within Lavern, but he kept his cool, turning gently to Marina. “Marina, mind ladling me a bowl of soup?”