His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 59

**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt**

**Chapter 59**

A sharp pang pierced Lavern’s heart, an acute sensation that echoed the panic etched across his features. When his gaze met M’s, he was met with her frigid, aloof stare, a look that felt like an insurmountable wall between them.

In that moment, dread washed over him, heavy and suffocating. It felt as if he were on the precipice of losing her forever.

The realization struck him like a thunderbolt, sending waves of anguish through his chest that were nearly unbearable to endure.

The tumult surrounding him faded into insignificance; all that existed in his world was Marina.

He had barely taken a few steps forward when a firm grip seized his wrist from behind, yanking him back with a force that startled him.

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The instinctual fear of losing Marina ignited a fire within Lavern. He could think of nothing but the desperate need to keep her by his side. With every ounce of strength he possessed, he fought against whoever had a hold on him, oblivious to their identity.

But in a heartbeat, his arm was wrenched behind his back, and he was thrust down onto a nearby table. The uniformed staff had descended upon the scene with alarming efficiency, taking control before anyone could fully comprehend the unfolding chaos.

“We have received a report indicating that you are suspected of facilitating a crime. You must accompany us,” one of the officers stated with a tone that brooked no argument.

Despite being restrained, Lavern’s frantic struggles only intensified.

“I’m not involved! I swear, I don’t know anything!” he yelled, desperation lacing his voice.

“Marina, please! You have to believe me!” he implored, his heart racing as he turned his pleading eyes towards her.

But Marina turned away, her beautiful face now a mask of cold detachment.

“Just cooperate with the investigation. If you truly have nothing to do with this, they will clear your name,” she replied, her voice devoid of warmth, as if she were speaking to a stranger rather than someone she once loved.

A chill crept over Lavern, his body freezing in place as her words struck him like a physical blow.

“Do you not trust me?” he asked, his voice thick with disbelief and hurt.

Marina remained silent, her gaze fixed elsewhere.

His complexion paled, realization dawning upon him like a dark cloud. In a hushed tone, he finally voiced the bitter truth that had settled in his heart.

“You’re just waiting for your chance to take over the Ross Group while I’m being investigated, aren’t you? If that’s what you wanted, why not just ask me for it? Marina… why did you have to make this such a tangled mess?”

A cool smile played on Marina’s lips as she raised her gaze to meet his.

“Oh? Then why don’t you just hand over your shares in Ross Group right now?” she challenged, her voice dripping with irony.

Garret, ever the opportunist, jumped in eagerly. “Ms. Finley, I can have the contract ready for you in no time. Two minutes tops.”

Lavern’s expression hardened, his heart sinking further. “Marina, what’s mine is yours. Do we really need to draw such stark lines between us? After seven years together, we’re practically family. We…”

Marina cut him off, her tone as sharp as ice. “You still don’t understand, do you? I orchestrated all this chaos to tell you that there’s no ‘us’ anymore. From this moment on, we are finished.”

The cold rejection in her eyes sliced through Lavern like a dagger, leaving him feeling utterly hollow.

Inside, a storm raged; he felt as if all the fight had been sucked out of him. Deflated, he let the staff guide him away, feeling like a mere shell of his former self.

With the key players gone, the room suddenly felt desolate, an echo of the vibrant life that had once filled it.

The Ross family had already scattered, busy plotting their next move to extricate Lavern from this mess.

As the drama that Marina had orchestrated came to a close, a heavy silence settled in, leaving behind an oppressive sense of loneliness. She would have to confront the aftermath alone, a burden that would soon weigh heavily on her.

Sleep had eluded her the previous night, and now that the tension had finally ebbed, she felt a wave of lightheadedness wash over her.

The man beside her reached out, his composed, elegant demeanor watching her with an air of detached indifference.

“Can’t bring yourself to let go?” Daron teased, a smirk playing on his lips.

Marina instantly perked up at his mocking tone. “No,” she replied defiantly.

Daron scrutinized her exhausted face. “Then why do you look like you’ve just crawled out of a grave?”

“Can’t a girl just be tired?” she shot back, irritation bubbling just beneath the surface.

Daron shrugged, a nonchalant gesture that only fueled her annoyance. “Sure.”

For a moment, Marina was left speechless, caught off guard by his lack of further jabs.

It was strange how accustomed she had become to his biting remarks that when he chose to hold back, it felt disorienting.

Though she had regained her composure, Daron’s hand lingered on her arm, the warmth of his touch sending an unsettling ripple through her.

Quickly, she jerked her arm away, breaking the connection.

Daron glanced at his now empty hand, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his features before he let it fall to his side.

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