The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 116

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 116: Buried Trauma**

[Evelyn’s POV]

My heart raced violently, a relentless drumbeat echoing in my ears. It felt as though every drop of blood coursing through my veins had plummeted to the floor, leaving me ensnared in a suffocating blanket of icy dread.

I could scarcely fathom what Alexander was saying. There was no conceivable way—no chance in this world—that he would allow the very same person who had aimed to assault me to remain under the same roof. It was utterly inconceivable.

I fixed my gaze on Alexander, the seconds stretching into what felt like an eternity. His expression was resolute, unwavering, as if carved from stone.

He’s serious… He’s not lying.

That chilling sensation burrowed deeper into my bones, a creeping cold that enveloped me whole.

“Michael is in this house?!” I exclaimed, my voice rising in disbelief and panic.

I stood there, waiting for someone—anyone—to interject, to assure me that this was merely a cruel joke, a fabrication. But silence reigned. Oliver’s gaze was glued to the carpet, unable to meet my eyes, while Alexander’s stare bore into me, unyielding and fierce.

He stepped closer, closing the distance between us, his hands enveloping my arms with a firm grip. “Evelyn, breathe,” he commanded, his voice steady yet urgent.

In the midst of my spiraling shock, I hadn’t realized that I was holding my breath. As soon as he spoke, a sharp, searing pain flared in my chest, scorching through my lungs like wildfire.

“Evelyn, you need to breathe,” he repeated, his tone softer now, yet laced with an undeniable urgency.

Tears began to pool in my eyes, blurring my vision. My hands balled into tight fists, the pain from earlier still fresh, and I could feel the tension tightening in my muscles, locking me in place.

I was paralyzed. I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, and soon enough, coherent thought slipped away from me like sand through my fingers.

The memories came rushing back, uninvited and haunting. I was once again in that dark, lonely hallway, Michael’s hands on me, feeling trapped with no escape.

And now, I felt ensnared once more.

The burn in my lungs intensified, and the pressure in my head mounted to an unbearable degree.

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It was all too overwhelming. The room began to spin, and I felt lightheaded, teetering on the edge of consciousness.

“Evelyn… Evelyn?…” Alexander’s voice faded into the background as darkness crept in. “…Evelyn!”

When I finally opened my eyes, it was accompanied by a jarring gasp for air. I found myself pressed against something warm and solid. A deep breath broke the silence, a reminder that I wasn’t alone in this moment.

I bolted upright, nearly losing my balance. Panic surged within me as I felt a pair of strong hands secure my waist, grounding me.

I was disoriented, struggling to comprehend my surroundings, desperate to escape whoever was trying to hold me back.

“Evelyn.” A familiar, gravelly voice broke through the haze.

My vision was still blurred, and the dim room didn’t help. I continued to push against the person holding me, every ounce of my strength focused on breaking free.

“Let me go!” I gasped. “Stop, let me go!”

“Evelyn, stop it!” Alexander’s voice cut through my panic like a knife, forcing me to freeze in place.

With great effort, I tilted my head back, trying to focus on his face through the fog. He looked as drained as I felt, his eyes shadowed with concern.

One hand remained firmly on my waist while the other moved to gently stroke my back, offering a fragile comfort.

“Lay back down,” he whispered, his voice low and soothing.

“Exactly,” he confirmed, relief washing over his face. “I had to ensure that Michael wouldn’t be able to hurt anyone else. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you he was in the house.”

I bit my cheek, wrestling with my own emotions. “I should have been more open about my struggles. I have this tendency to bury everything deep down and pretend it doesn’t exist.”

“You shouldn’t do that,” he urged gently. “If something is weighing on your mind to this extent, you must share it with me. Or at least with someone you trust. Keeping those feelings locked away will only lead to more harm in the future. Take it from someone who knows.”

He had a valid point. Alexander was not one to share his feelings freely, a fact that had earned him the reputation of a ruthless War God. His success had come at a cost, one that perhaps he hadn’t fully grasped.

I shifted slightly to nestle beside him, placing my hand over his heart, feeling its steady rhythm beneath my palm.

“Looks like we’re both a work in progress,” I joked lightly, attempting to lighten the heavy atmosphere.

Alexander chuckled softly, wrapping his arms around me, drawing me closer.

“I wish there was a way for me to help you through this,” he said, his voice tinged with frustration. “But unfortunately, I can’t kill Michael for what he’s done, no matter how much he deserves it.”

I shook my head gently, a small smile breaking through my turmoil. “What you’re doing right now is exactly what I need. And…”

“And what?” he prompted, his curiosity piqued.

My heart raced, and I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks. I hadn’t intended to continue that thought. My mind was still reeling from earlier, and I feared I might sound foolish.

I shook my head, hoping to dismiss the conversation, but Alexander was nothing if not persistent.

“Tell me,” he insisted, his gaze unwavering.

Heat flooded my cheeks, a blush that didn’t go unnoticed by him.

“I… It helps when… you touch me,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.