His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 55

**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt**

**Chapter 55**

The wedding ceremony commenced, a blend of anticipation and excitement hanging in the air like a delicate mist.

As the host called Lavern to the stage, he rose with a sense of duty, his heart pounding in rhythm with the music that filled the hall. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, then delivered a brief, yet heartfelt opening speech, setting the tone for the day.

However, just as he finished, Carric, his mother, interjected, eager to share her own sentiments.

A flash of annoyance flickered in Lavern’s eyes, but he couldn’t ignore the warmth radiating from Carrie’s beaming face. With a resigned sigh, he handed her the microphone, knowing that once she had the floor, there was no turning back.

Carrie took a deep breath, cleared her throat dramatically, and began speaking, her voice carrying a theatrical flair. “First and foremost, I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has gathered here today to celebrate the union of my son and daughter-in-law. As the only elder in our family, I feel it’s my duty to share a few thoughts before we proceed.”

Her gaze shifted to Marina, who stood nervously at the side, and Carrie continued, “Marina, you must have done something extraordinarily virtuous in your past life to deserve marrying Lavern. Now that you two are embarking on this journey together, I trust you will be understanding and take excellent care of him.”

Lavern’s expression darkened as he shot Carrie a warning look, his brows furrowing in discontent. Each word she spoke felt like a landmine, threatening to detonate Marina’s composure. He could sense the tension in the air, worried that Marina might bolt from the scene, overwhelmed by the mounting pressure.

Carrie deftly dodged Lavern’s attempt to reclaim the microphone, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Marina, I’m already aware of everything that transpired last night,” she declared, her tone sharp. “Just because Lavern seems indifferent doesn’t mean I, as his mother, lack my own opinions. If you treat him well from this moment on, perhaps I’ll consider accepting you as my daughter-in-law.”

Lavern’s frustration boiled over. “Mom, what on earth are you doing?” he hissed, his voice low yet fierce.

The guests exchanged glances, their whispers growing louder as they processed Carrie’s words. It was evident that Marina’s family was conspicuously absent, leaving the bride’s side feeling eerily empty.

“Son, just wait until the wedding’s over, and you’ll understand,” Carrie replied, a sly grin spreading across her face.

With that, she produced a prenup agreement she had been clutching tightly, her expression triumphant.

Lavern snatched the papers from her, his mood darkening further as he flipped through the pages, each line filled with demands that would strip Marina of her shares and any claim to the family fortune.

“Today is supposed to be a joyous occasion for both me and Marina. Don’t ruin this!” Lavern snapped, his voice edged with desperation.

“That’s precisely why I brought this up,” Carrie countered, her grin widening. “Just the mention of an agreement like this could send her running for the hills. But if you present it today, you can ensure twice the happiness. Trust me, she’ll sign it,” she urged, her tone coaxing.

Meanwhile, the crowd below buzzed with speculation, their curiosity piqued by the unfolding drama.

Lavern’s heart raced as he observed the determined glint in Carrie’s eyes, piecing together the implications of her actions. A wave of dread washed over him, and he glanced around, searching for Hyman, but the man was nowhere in sight.

“Did Hyman speak to you?” he asked, his voice low and tense, anger simmering just beneath the surface.

Carrie’s heart raced as she instinctively took a step back, realizing the gravity of the situation. There was no point in denying it, so she nodded, her resolve faltering under her son’s fiery gaze.

Lavern’s chest heaved, each breath becoming more labored as he struggled to contain the storm of fury brewing inside him. He glared at his mother, his jaw clenched so tightly it felt as if it might crack under the pressure.

“You…” he growled, the word laced with a mix of betrayal and frustration.

With a newfound sense of determination, Lavern tightened his grip on the prenup and made his way back to the stage, ready to confront the unfolding events.

Marina stood at the second-floor railing, enveloped in a stunning black silk gown, her eyes scanning the room with a cool detachment. A subtle smirk danced on her lips as she swirled her glass of wine, the deep crimson liquid catching the light in a mesmerizing display. She embodied both beauty and danger, a captivating presence that drew every eye in the room.

As Lavern ascended the stage, the ceremony began to regain its momentum. The harsh overhead lights dimmed, replaced by a soft, inviting glow that enveloped the space in a warm embrace. Crystal decorations sparkled, casting a kaleidoscope of colors that transformed the venue into a dreamlike wonderland.

The double doors swung open, revealing the bride in her wedding gown, a sight that should have been enchanting. But as Lavern’s gaze landed on Shawna instead of Marina, his heart sank, the color draining from his face.

Shawna stood there, a vision in Marina’s wedding dress, and the realization hit Lavern like a freight train. The situation was spiraling out of control, and his pulse quickened with a mix of dread and fury.

Gasps filled the room as whispers erupted among the guests, disbelief etched on their faces. Shawna noticed the sudden pallor of Lavern’s complexion, her smile faltering under the weight of his horror.

As Robert stepped forward, he explained how Marina had a meltdown the night before and refused to attend the wedding. Lavern, unwilling to marry a woman who had been publicly disgraced, had sent for Shawna instead.

Shawna’s heart raced with excitement as she approached, her thoughts racing with triumph. Finally, she had managed to push Marina aside and claim her place at the forefront.

But Lavern was caught off guard, his shock transforming into a blazing anger that propelled him off the stage toward her.

In that moment, realization struck Shawna like a lightning bolt; she had unwittingly walked into a carefully laid trap.

The whispers of the guests swirled around her like a tempest, and Lavern’s furious glare sent her heart racing. Panic surged through her, and for a fleeting moment, all she wanted was to turn around and flee.