His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 56

### Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt

**Chapter 56**

Lavern stormed across the room, fury etched on his face like a storm brewing on the horizon. His icy demeanor sent shivers through the air as he approached Shawna, his eyes narrowing in disdain. Without a moment’s hesitation, he seized her wrist, the reality of her pregnancy seemingly lost on him in his blind rage. His grip was unforgiving, a vise that left no room for mercy.

“Who the hell let you in here? Get out. Now!” he barked, his voice a low growl that reverberated through the hall.

Shawna, caught off guard by his harshness, stumbled as he yanked her off balance. The delicate fabric of her wedding dress twisted around her legs, and she fell to the floor in a chaotic heap, her heart pounding in her chest as she realized the eyes of the guests were upon her. Their faces, twisted in amusement, only deepened her sense of humiliation. Lavern’s furious glare sent waves of anxiety crashing over her, making her breath quicken.

In that moment, all thoughts of dignity evaporated. She sat there, crumpled on the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks as she sobbed uncontrollably, the weight of the world pressing down on her.

Lavern’s expression remained as cold as ice as he began dragging her toward the door, his grip like iron on her arm.

“Lavern! Wait!” Carrie rushed forward, her voice filled with urgency as she stepped in front of him, a barrier of desperation.

“Shawna’s pregnant with your child! If you keep being this rough, you could hurt the baby!” she cried, her eyes wide with concern.

The darkness in Lavern’s expression deepened as he shoved Carrie aside with a roughness that made her stumble.

“You get out, too,” he snapped, his voice laced with fury.

Carrie let out a startled yelp as she hit the ground hard, the shock of the fall drawing gasps from those nearby. Members of the Ross family rushed to her aid, pulling her up and quickly ushering Shawna away, sensing that Lavern was on the brink of losing control completely.

Lavern stood amidst the chaos, his head spinning. He scanned the crowd frantically, searching for Marina, but she was nowhere to be found. Hyman was absent as well, leaving a gnawing sense of dread in his gut.

Carrie, in her flustered state, didn’t even have Hyman’s contact information, and Hyman had no idea that Carrie was in the city. The only person who could reach Hyman was Shawna; after all, they were relatives from the same clan.

A flicker of hatred ignited in Lavern’s eyes as he shot a venomous glare at Shawna, who was cowering behind the family members, her sobs echoing in the tense atmosphere.

“Where’s Marina? Where are you hiding her?” he demanded, his voice a low, menacing growl.

His mind raced with suspicion. They must have stashed Marina somewhere, he thought, the idea burning in his mind. He refused to believe that Marina would ever abandon him. She had no one else in the world—only him.

Shawna trembled under his gaze, tears spilling down her cheeks as she shook her head, terrified and desperate to deny any involvement in Marina’s disappearance.

Suddenly, the screen on the stage flickered to life, illuminating the room with unexpected brightness. A video from a car dashcam began to play, and the footage was crystal clear. Lavern was seen holding Shawna close, their lips locked in a passionate kiss, a moment that felt like a betrayal caught in time.

The crowd began to murmur, their whispers growing louder, a wave of gossip washing over them.

Lavern’s face drained of color as the realization hit him like a punch to the gut. Panic gripped him as he froze, his eyes wild with a mix of rage and fear.

“Turn it off!” he barked, his voice cracking under the strain.

The video cut off abruptly, but the damage was done. A gasp rippled through the crowd as someone spotted Marina standing on the second floor, her presence commanding immediate attention.

All eyes turned toward her. She leaned elegantly against the railing, slender fingers wrapped around a wine glass, a faint, almost amused smile dancing on her lips. Clad in a striking black dress with red lips to match, she was a vision of allure, captivating everyone in the room.

She observed the chaos below her like a spectator at a play, her demeanor almost detached, as if she found the unfolding drama amusing. Upon closer inspection, they noticed a white chrysanthemum pinned to her dress, a stark contrast that made her appear less like a wedding guest and more like someone attending a funeral.

She was here to bury this wedding herself.

Carrie’s blood boiled as she watched Marina, her heart racing with indignation. How could she stand there, seemingly unfazed by the turmoil she had caused?

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