His 181St Second (Laverne and Marina) novel Chapter 9

**Winds Carry Lost Promises by Asa Holt Vale**
**Chapter 9**

“This is my home right here. I don’t want to go anywhere else.” Marina effortlessly withdrew her hand from Lavern’s grasp and settled herself into the plush chair, feeling the familiar contours embrace her.

Lavern noticed the subtle, mocking glimmer in her eyes, a spark of frustration igniting within him. He lowered his voice, trying to keep his composure. “Marina, do you really have to pick a fight with me right here at Alyssa’s?”

His body language screamed his exasperation, as if he were pleading, “I’ve already laid everything out for you. What more do you want from me?”

Marina’s thoughts churned. As if his mere words were enough to bind her forgiveness, and anything less would paint her as the unreasonable one. What had ever led her to believe that Lavern was different from the others back then?

A faint, sardonic smile danced on Marina’s lips as she retrieved the emerald bracelet from the ornate brocade box, rolling it casually between her fingers, savoring the weight of it.

For a brief moment, Lavern’s intense gaze faltered, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.

Marina caught his eye, holding his controlled stare with her own, and flashed a knowing smile. “You’re here for this, aren’t you?”

Lavern, unable to maintain his facade, averted his gaze momentarily, the icy smirk on her face piercing through him. “Yeah. Florine’s birthday is just around the corner…”

Before he could elaborate further, Marina interrupted, her tone sharp and unwavering. “This bracelet belongs to me now. If you want it, you’ll need to pay up.”

His expression hardened, anger flaring in his eyes. “Marina, we’re getting married soon. Do we really have to keep score like this?”

Marina stood her ground, unyielding. She thought bitterly, “What gives him the audacity to believe I’ll still walk down the aisle with him, no questions asked, after everything he’s done?”

“Absolutely.” Her answer was firm, her eyes betraying not a hint of emotion.

Lavern held her gaze, his brow furrowing with frustration.

Marina matched his intensity, her resolve unwavering.

In a standoff like this, it was always a matter of who would blink first. This time, it was Lavern who finally pulled out his phone, breaking the tension.

Marina’s phone buzzed on the table, illuminating with a transfer notification. She made no move to retrieve it, letting the moment linger.

Lavern studied her, disdain creeping into his expression. “Not even going to check if it’s enough?”

With a slow and deliberate motion, Marina picked up her phone and opened the message.

Lavern’s face soured instantly, the color draining from his cheeks. “I had no idea you’d turned into such a gold digger.”

Marina didn’t even glance his way, her tone flat and dismissive. “Guess that makes you oblivious. Seven years, and you never truly understood me.”

His features chilled, the air around them thickening with tension.

Marina offered him a small, almost triumphant smile. “Don’t sweat it; I’ll fill you in completely over the next little while.”

With that, she extended the emerald bracelet toward him, a taunting gesture.

Lavern reached out, his expression stone-faced, his fingers barely grazing the bracelet when Marina abruptly released her grip.

A sharp crack echoed in the room, a crisp shatter resonating through the air.

Marina fought to suppress her widening grin, leaping in first. “Why didn’t you handle it properly?”

Lavern’s face contorted, his icy glare shifting from the shattered emerald back to her. “You meant to do that?”

Marina shook her head, feigning innocence. “I’ve got the cash already; what’s in it for me?”

Lavern noted the smirk she struggled to suppress, his deep-set eyes darkening with frustration. “If you’re this bent out of shape, fine. Let’s skip seeing each other until the wedding. Hole up here at Alyssa’s and chill out.”

He delivered the line with a frosty glare, but when he saw no reaction in her eyes, he scowled and turned sharply on his heel to leave.

“Hold on.” He barely made it to the door when Marina’s voice sliced through the silence, halting him in his tracks.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify