The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 142

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 142: Avoidance**

[Evelyn’s POV]

“Alright, I need you to spill the beans right now—what’s really going on between you and Alexander?” Wendy demanded, her voice sharp and insistent.

It had been a full day since the tension-filled confrontation with Alexander in his office, and the atmosphere between us had since spiraled into a chasm of discomfort.

He had been so brazen as to ask for time to think things through, and I felt cornered into granting him that space. Last night, I made the decision to retreat to one of the guest rooms, seeking refuge from the palpable awkwardness that hung in the air like a thick fog. This morning, during breakfast, I had mustered the courage to greet him, but all I received in return was a fleeting acknowledgment—a mere nod, almost as if I were a ghost haunting the dining room.

My heart twisted painfully as I watched him grab the morning newspaper, his movements brisk and detached, as he requested his coffee be sent to his office. He barely glanced my way before turning on his heel and exiting the room, leaving me feeling like a shadow in his life.

God, I honestly think I preferred it when he was at least willing to engage in arguments with me.

To make matters worse, both Wendy and Nina had been present to witness the entire exchange. The moment Alexander disappeared from sight, they exchanged glances filled with unspoken questions and concern. I closed my eyes, shaking my head in silent frustration.

I had spent the majority of the morning outside, hiding away in the greenhouse, yearning for a distraction from my spiraling thoughts. But as the afternoon crept in, Nina found me, her expression resolute as she insisted I join her and Wendy for tea.

My instinct was to decline politely, primarily because the last thing I wanted was to face an interrogation from either of them. However, the determined look in Nina’s eyes left me little room for refusal.

With a deep sigh, I inhaled sharply and shook my head, feeling utterly defeated. “Alexander and I accepted that ridiculous invitation from Isabella,” I began, my voice tinged with exasperation. “I knew it was a mistake from the start, but Alexander was insistent. He believed it would make us look as though we were avoiding our families, and the last thing we needed was for rumors to start swirling.”

As I recounted the events from the moment we stepped out of the car to the near incident where I almost hurled my wine in Isabella’s face due to her atrocious behavior, I could see both Wendy and Nina hanging onto my every word. Their expressions shifted from concern to sympathy as I detailed the breakdown of the evening.

“It sounds like the whole thing was nothing more than a setup,” Nina remarked, her brow furrowing in thought. “But I just don’t get why Isabella would even want to collaborate with Caroline in the first place.”

“Knowing Isabella, she’s always been drawn to people of high status or those who can somehow benefit her,” I replied, my voice laced with bitterness.

Wendy nodded in agreement, taking a slow sip of her tea. “My guess is that she saw the whole debacle with Michael as her opportunity to reach out to Caroline. It would explain Caroline’s presence at the event.”

“Alexander handled everything with such grace,” I continued, my admiration for him surfacing. “But then all hell broke loose when Caroline brought up that ridiculous money package tied to the marriage agreement. I wanted so desperately to tell Alexander everything, but the moment never seemed right. It felt like there was always something standing in the way.”

“It’s understandable why you would hesitate to bring it up,” Nina said softly, her voice filled with empathy.

The reality of Alexander refusing to talk to me or even acknowledge my existence made me long for the days when I first arrived at Kingston Manor—when our interactions were limited to necessity, and we kept our distance from one another like two ships passing in the night.

“You can’t let this ruin what’s been growing between you and him, Evelyn,” Wendy stated firmly, her eyes locking onto mine with a fierce determination. “You two have been through too much together to let it all slip away now.”

“She’s right,” Nina chimed in, her tone urgent. “For heaven’s sake, we were literally planning your second wedding ceremony just the day before yesterday!”

All I could do was shrug, feeling the weight of despair settle deeper within me. “I can’t make Alexander understand my perspective. I’ve shared everything from my side, and he insists he needs time to think things over.”

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