**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 109: Battling Emotions**
[Evelyn’s POV]
A knot of unease twisted in my stomach, whispering that Alexander had no intention of returning to his office to bury himself in work. The way his eyes sparkled with an enigmatic glimmer made me question what was truly brewing beneath the surface.
But grappling with that suspicion stirred up feelings I wasn’t quite ready to confront, so I ultimately decided to push it aside.
As I turned to retrace my steps back to the bedroom, Nina caught up with me, her voice bright and inviting. “Evelyn, why don’t you come by Wendy’s room and join us for some tea?”
The last twenty-four hours had unraveled into a chaotic mess, leaving me feeling disoriented and unsure of how to process it all. A significant part of me longed to retreat back to the sanctuary of my bed, to cocoon myself in darkness and silence, if only for a little while longer.
There was simply too much swirling in my mind, and I felt utterly lost regarding where to even begin untangling it. My emotions were like a tempest, scattered and unpredictable.
Did I want to scream in frustration or laugh in disbelief? Should I cry from the seething anger boiling inside me, or leap with joy at the unexpected turns my life had taken? I felt simultaneously betrayed and used, yet valued and deeply cherished.
Yes, I was caught in a fierce internal battle, and it was overwhelming.
Yet, another part of me urged to suppress all these tumultuous feelings, to focus instead on getting back to the house to check on Edward. Despite my unwavering trust in Oliver’s ability to keep my brother safe, the idea of leaving him behind gnawed at me, unsettling my heart.
I even toyed with the notion of confronting Alexander about the possibility of returning, even if just for a few hours. However, I was almost certain that he would dismiss the idea outright.
I could vividly picture his reaction.
“Have you lost your friggin’ mind?! You want to go back to the house where you were drugged and nearly taken advantage of?! NO! That is completely out of the question.”
Even though I hadn’t posed the question directly, I knew deep down that the answer would be a resounding no. And really, who could fault him for feeling that way?
Now that Michael was no longer a concern, my only remaining obstacle was Isabella. Strangely enough, when it came to her, my emotions were crystal clear. I despised her. I wanted her to face repercussions for her actions, for what she had done to me and what she had attempted to do to Edward.
Growing up, I had strived to be the dutiful and respectful stepdaughter, often stepping aside and allowing others to walk all over me.
But too many lines had been crossed. While I remained uncertain about Michael’s fate for his own misdeeds, I was resolute that Isabella deserved to face her own brand of justice. And I was determined to be the one to ensure that it happened.
I cleared my throat softly, feeling the weight of my decision. “I don’t think I have the energy for tea today,” I told Nina, forcing a small smile. “Maybe tomorrow.”
Her face fell, disappointment clear in her eyes, but she didn’t press me further. I appreciated her understanding. “Alright, perhaps you should rest then,” she suggested gently. “You look as though you’ve had a long night.”
I felt a flush creep up my cheeks.
Yeah, you could say that.
As I watched her turn to head back toward Wendy’s wing of the house, another staff member approached me, their demeanor cautious.
“Evelyn? I have Oliver on the phone. He’s looking to speak with you about your brother,” they said, a hint of urgency in their voice.
My heart raced, and I nearly lunged for the phone, taking it from them with a grateful nod. “Thank you,” I mouthed silently.
“Hello, Oliver? It’s Evelyn. Is everything okay?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, laced with anxiety.
“Everything is fine,” he replied, his tone steady. “I mainly called to inform you that your brother’s primary physician is here to check on his vitals. Frankly, the doctor is astonished at Edward’s remarkable turnaround. From what I’m hearing, it sounds like your brother is going to be just fine.”


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