His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 54

**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt**

**Chapter 54**

Marina finally admitted to herself that she had chosen Lavern, and after seven long years, the truth of who he really was hit her like a cold slap. It was undeniably a foolish decision, one she regretted deeply.

“Even if it was a reckless choice, at least it was a choice made with courage! Much better than those who lurk in the shadows, afraid to confront their own emotions and too cowardly to pursue the woman they truly love,” she declared, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

Daron’s gaze pierced through her, his expression shifting into an icy mask that made the air in the room feel significantly colder.

In that moment, Marina recognized that she had struck a nerve, a raw and tender spot that made her pulse race with a mix of fear and defiance.

The thought crossed her mind that he might lash out, that he could come at her with a fury that would leave her breathless.

Staring contests often led to one person flinching first, and her instincts screamed at her to look away.

Yet, she stood her ground, resolute in her decision not to be the one to yield.

Eventually, it was Daron who broke the tension, diverting his gaze and retreating down the hallway, leaving Marina to watch his retreating form, her lips pressed tightly together. She felt no sense of victory; instead, a heavy weight settled in her chest.

Silence enveloped her as guilt flickered across her features, prompting a deep internal dialogue.

‘Was I really out of line just now?’ Marina pondered, her mind racing with self-doubt.

As heirs to powerful legacies, she and Daron were burdened with the weight of generations of ambition and struggle. While they enjoyed the privileges that came with their family names, they were also shackled by choices that were never truly theirs to make.

Love, it seemed, was a luxury they could seldom afford.

Emotions were intricate and messy, and to suppress his feelings for so long required an extraordinary level of self-discipline. In contrast to her so-called bravery, perhaps that kind of restraint was a deeper, more refined strength.

With a determined set of her lips, Marina pushed down the unease swirling in her chest and continued down the corridor.

Reaching her room, she let out a long sigh, resting her forehead against the door for a brief moment before entering the code to unlock it.

Just then, she heard a door across the hall creak open.

Curiosity piqued, she turned slightly to see Daron standing in the threshold, his expression a storm of emotions.

‘Is he so furious that he’s on the verge of doing something reckless?’ she mused, gripping the doorknob tightly, ready to retreat into her sanctuary at a moment’s notice.

His gaze bore into her with a weighty intensity, his voice low and thick, as if cloaked in shadows.

“I hope you always stay this brave,” he said, the words hanging in the air like a dark omen.

With a forceful slam, he closed the door, leaving Marina standing there, stunned and bewildered. She couldn’t decipher whether Daron’s words were a genuine encouragement or a sarcastic jab.

Earlier, he had made it abundantly clear that, in his eyes, bravery was synonymous with foolishness.

‘So, does he want me to remain foolish forever?’ she questioned herself, frustration bubbling within.

She had once dared to be brave, and what had it brought her? A scoundrel who had taken advantage of her trust.

‘Does he really expect me to remain naïve and keep stumbling into the arms of losers like that?’ she thought, irritation gnawing at her.

“That’s just twisted!” she muttered under her breath, annoyance coursing through her veins.

‘He must have a hidden agenda with that comment,’ she surmised, her heart feeling as though it had taken a devastating blow.

Casting a glare at the closed door across the hall, she clenched her jaw, frustration simmering just beneath the surface.

‘I can’t out-argue him, and I certainly can’t outfight him!’ Marina grumbled internally, a wave of helplessness washing over her.

All she had done was call off the engagement, and now she faced the prospect of never hearing the end of it from him.

It seemed that being too brave had its own set of consequences.

Taking a deep breath, Marina finally pushed her door open and stepped inside.

She shut the door behind her and collapsed onto her bed, utterly drained, both physically and emotionally.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a new message.

Unlocking the screen, she saw it was a video sent by one of Ben’s associates.

“Carrie is probably swamped right now. Once you’re finished, could you head downstairs to help her greet the guests? I’ll join you when the ceremony begins,” she added, her tone practical.

He nodded, a grin breaking through. “Sure.”

Carrie had been anxiously waiting for Hyman to deliver some good news. Despite her pleas, he had only called to assure her that everything was under control, which was the only thing that eased her anxiety.

She arrived at the hotel early, bustling around to greet the guests with her radiant smile.

When Lavern descended the stairs, he spotted Carrie chatting animatedly with relatives, her face glowing with joy.

As he scanned the crowd, Carrie approached him, leaning in to whisper, “Don’t worry, Shawna didn’t show up. I made sure she’s taken care of elsewhere. She’s being sensible and won’t create a scene.”

Lavern felt a wave of relief wash over him.

“Thanks, Mom. You’ve really been putting in a lot of effort lately,” he said appreciatively.

Carrie beamed, unable to conceal her pride. “You don’t have to thank your own mother! As long as you’re happy and thriving, I would do anything for you, no matter what.”

She glanced past Lavern and inquired, “Where’s Marina? Why isn’t she down yet?”

Lavern replied, “She’s still getting her hair and makeup done. She’ll come down when the ceremony starts.”

Carrie’s lips curled into a sly, mocking smile.

“Let her take her time to get over herself. It’s probably for the best,” she remarked, her thoughts tinged with cynicism.

‘Marina’s likely still busy trying to cover her tracks, praying no one catches on,’ Carrie mused inwardly.

She had already crafted her opening remarks for the ceremony. If Marina refused to relinquish her shares in the Ross Group, she would expose everything that transpired the previous night right in front of everyone.

With all eyes on her, Marina would have no choice but to fall in line.

Once the company’s assets were officially under Lavern’s name, Marina would be powerless to stir up trouble.

And when her cherished grandson was born, he would be raised right by Lavern’s side, a legacy she could not disrupt.