His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 66

**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt**

**Chapter 66**

Marina tossed and turned, battling her restless thoughts until the first light of dawn began to creep through her window. Sleep had eluded her, slipping away like sand through her fingers, leaving her with a sense of unease that clung to her like a damp cloak.

When morning finally broke, she awoke to an unsettling quietness. Elnora was nowhere to be found, and her absence felt heavy in the air.

Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Marina fumbled for her phone, her fingers clumsy with fatigue. The screen lit up, revealing that it was already past nine.

**8:20 AM**

**18 56 vouch**

As the device powered on, a barrage of notifications flooded her screen, each one a reminder of the chaos that had unfolded the day before.

Most of the alerts were from Lavern.

Just the sight of that familiar name sent a wave of irritation crashing over her.

Without a moment’s hesitation, she swiftly deleted his messages and blocked his number, as if severing the connection would also cut the emotional ties that had bound her.

Yesenia and Thomas had reached out too, their messages filled with concern and the kind of friendship that sought to comfort her in her time of distress.

Given the disastrous events of the wedding, they likely assumed she was heartbroken, drowning in sorrow.

But the truth was, her heart had already begun to heal.

Ever since the painful revelation of Lavern’s betrayal, she had replayed the events of the wedding in her mind, dissecting every moment, every glance, every lie. The pain had been processed, and now it felt like a distant echo rather than a fresh wound.

Marina quickly responded to Yesenia and Thomas, assuring them that she was alright before gathering her thoughts and preparing to face the day ahead.

Elnora had entrusted her with a mission, one that she intended to fulfill without fail.

Determined, she made her way downstairs, where the delightful aroma of breakfast wafted from the kitchen.

Gauri was bustling around, her movements efficient and graceful.

As soon as she spotted Marina, she hurriedly brought a plate of food to the table, her smile warm and inviting.

“Miss Elnora left early this morning,” Gauri informed her, “and she specifically asked me to ensure you eat a good breakfast.”

Marina took a seat and lifted her glass of milk, savoring the coolness against her lips.

“Did Elnora eat before she left?” she inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Gauri nodded, her expression thoughtful.

“She hasn’t had breakfast at home in years, but today she asked me to make something special. She seemed genuinely cheerful, probably because you returned,” Gauri explained, her eyes twinkling with the joy of the moment.

Marina smiled softly at the thought. “Can you keep an eye on her? Make sure she continues to eat breakfast?”

Gauri hesitated, a shadow crossing her features. “Marina, I’m leaving next month,” she reminded her gently.

The reminder hit Marina like a cold wave. She had almost forgotten Gauri’s plans, which she had mentioned the night before.

Things had changed so much within the Finley family, and a sense of unease settled in her chest.

At least she was back now, and she wouldn’t have to worry about Elnora being alone.

Gauri was returning to her family, and while Marina wished she could convince her to stay, she understood that it wasn’t fair to ask. Instead, she resolved to enlist Gauri’s help in interviewing new hires, just like her grandfather had done in the past.

She had her own interview at Zamora Group today, and time was not on her side.

Just as she finished her breakfast, her phone rang, and she recognized Elnora’s name flashing on the screen.

Marina answered, her heart racing slightly. Elnora’s voice came through, calm yet slightly distant, as if she were in the middle of a whirlwind of activity.

“In the closet, last slot on the left. There’s a gift bag beneath the suit jacket. Take that with you as well,” Elnora instructed, her tone brisk and purposeful.

The background noise suggested a bustling office, her assistant providing updates that only added to the chaos.

Before Marina could respond, Elnora hung up, leaving her with a sense of urgency.

With a determined nod to herself, Marina ascended the stairs. Elnora was always meticulous, ensuring everything was perfectly in place for her.

At this rate, she thought with a wry smile, Elnora was going to spoil her into becoming a pampered little darling.

‘What was I thinking all those years, prioritizing Lavern over my family?’ she mused, a hint of self-mockery creeping into her thoughts.

Grinning at her own reflection, Marina changed into the tailored suit Elnora had prepared for her, feeling a surge of confidence. She grabbed the gift bag, curiosity bubbling within her.

Inside, she found a beautifully crafted brocade box.

Opening it, she discovered a pair of men’s sapphire cufflinks—elegant yet understated, exuding a sense of quiet luxury.

The design struck a chord within her, stirring a long-buried memory. Hadn’t she sketched something similar years ago?

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