The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 152

**TITLE: Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 152: A Delicate Place**

[Third-Person’s POV]

Alexander stood frozen, his eyes wide as he stared at Evelyn, a whirlwind of disbelief swirling within him. Her words hung in the air like a thunderclap, and he struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation.

“What?” he exclaimed, his voice barely containing the shock.

Evelyn, feeling the weight of his piercing gaze, lowered her head, unable to meet the intensity of his scrutiny. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension, and Ian, ever the mediator, cleared his throat softly, hoping to ease the palpable discomfort that enveloped them.

“Alexander—”

“Why? Why are you telling me to leave?” he demanded, his voice sharp, slicing through the silence like a knife.

His accusatory tone sent a chill racing down Evelyn’s spine, igniting a deep-seated shame that coiled tightly within her. Ian, sensing her distress, placed a reassuring hand on Alexander’s shoulder, attempting to bridge the emotional chasm that had suddenly yawned between them.

Evelyn’s voice trembled as she spoke, barely above a whisper. “I…”

“I’m not leaving.” His statement was resolute, a declaration born from desperation.

“Yes, you are,” Ian interjected firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

With a fierce intensity, Alexander shifted his gaze from Evelyn to his friend, fury simmering just beneath the surface.

“Ian—”

“Respect, Alexander,” Ian replied, his voice steady. “Evelyn is navigating a tumultuous storm within herself right now. We discussed this. If she needs solitude, we must honor that.”

Evelyn squirmed uncomfortably at their conversation, feeling like an outsider in her own life. She longed to lift her gaze, to meet his eyes and pour out her heart, to explain the turmoil that raged within her. But a metaphorical wall seemed to rise between them, an insurmountable barrier that left her feeling exposed and vulnerable.

Stealing a fleeting glance at Alexander, her heart shattered at the sight of the pain etched across his features. It was a look that twisted her insides, a reminder of the love they shared now overshadowed by grief.

“Please,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, a plea that hung in the air like a fragile thread.

With a heavy sigh, Alexander exhaled his defeat and turned sharply on his heel, his footsteps echoing in the silence as he exited the room. The moment the door slammed shut, the dam within Evelyn broke. Tears streamed down her cheeks, each drop a testament to her heartache, unstoppable and relentless.

Ian, sensing her turmoil, turned away momentarily, only to return with a tissue in hand, his expression one of quiet compassion.

“S-Sorry,” Evelyn stammered through her sobs, her voice thick with emotion.

“You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for,” he reassured her, his tone gentle yet firm.

She dabbed at her cheeks and nose, trying to regain some semblance of composure. “I just… I don’t want him to see me like this.”

“It’s understandable,” Ian replied, his eyes reflecting a deep empathy. “You’re not feeling like yourself right now. It’s as if a part of you has been taken and shattered, leaving you feeling incomplete.”

Evelyn nodded solemnly, sinking deeper into her chair, the weight of his words resonating within her. It was comforting, in a way, to have someone like Ian understand her plight. As a doctor, she could only imagine the countless tragedies he had witnessed, the lives he had tried to mend.

How many souls had he encountered that felt as lost as she did?

“Yeah,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “Does this feeling ever fade away?”

Ian offered her a kind smile, one that held the weight of experience. “I’ve been told that it does lessen over time. But it varies for everyone. Grief is a personal journey; some recover quickly, while others take their time.”

“Will I ever feel like I did before?”

“I’m afraid only time will reveal that,” he replied, his voice steady. “It’s still too early to make any assumptions.”

Yet, the dull ache in her chest remained, an unwelcome companion that refused to let her go.

[Third-Person’s POV]

At least Evelyn’s father was not complicit in the attack.

For whatever that was worth.

The thought ignited a simmering anger within Alexander, churning at the idea that Leonard might not have intervened to protect Evelyn. The man was a pathetic Alpha and an even worse father.

“Would Isabella have gone to stay with Leonard?” he inquired, though doubt crept into his voice.

Oliver shrugged, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. “I doubt it. I found his travel itinerary, and he isn’t going far from home. It seems pointless for her to try and escape there.”

Alexander shook his head, frustration boiling over. “She has to be somewhere.” A sudden thought struck him. “What if she never left?”

Oliver’s expression turned skeptical. “Sir, I assure you, we’ve searched every room in that house—”

“I believe you, Oliver. But I’m talking about another possible hidden room in that house.”

He scratched the back of his neck, feeling the tension rise. “Oh, shit. We hadn’t considered that,” he admitted. “But if that’s the case, we wouldn’t even know where to begin searching.”

He had a point. The discovery of that secret room behind the bookcase had felt like sheer luck. They would have to dismantle the house piece by piece to uncover any more hidden spaces.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Ian stepped into the office, his demeanor serious as he nodded curtly at Alexander. The Alpha’s heart raced, desperate for news.

“How is she doing?” he asked, urgency lacing his words.

“I gave her another sedative. This one is primarily to help her manage the pain,” Ian replied, his expression grave. Alexander’s gaze bore into him, silently demanding more information. Ian sighed heavily. “The injuries on her face are severe. I’ve treated similar cases before, and I can assure you, it won’t be easy for her. More than anything, Evelyn will need time and the unwavering support of those who care for her.”

Time and support… I can do that.