The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 159

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 159: Beneath Her Mask**

[Evelyn’s POV]

Before Samantha could even muster a reply to my question, I sprang into action. The very sight of her, that insufferable woman, grinning and laughing as if she hadn’t a care in the world, ignited a fire within me. My hands craved to shred her apart the moment our eyes locked.

Thank heavens my wrist had healed, or I might not have acted so swiftly. In a heartbeat, before Samantha or anyone else could intervene, I shot my hand out and seized her by the throat, my grip firm and unyielding.

“Ahh!”

Her shriek was abruptly cut short as I shoved her against the nearest wall, the impact knocking the breath from her lungs. A low groan escaped her as she crumpled against the surface. At first, she attempted to fight back, but that instinct quickly faded as I tightened my grip, leaving her gasping for air.

In that moment, all she could focus on was the desperate need to fill her lungs with oxygen.

“Oh my God, Evelyn!” Liam’s voice rang out, tinged with shock and concern. He made a move towards us, but Oliver held him back, his grip firm. “What the hell are you—”

“Shut up!” I snapped, my lips twisting into a malicious sneer. “You don’t have a clue about the depths of her treachery. Not a single inkling of the vile, despicable acts she’s partaken in.”

“Then tell me,” he pressed, his voice urgent. “What happened to you?”

Samantha writhed in my grasp, desperately trying to claw her way free, but it was futile. My anger fueled my strength, and I could keep her pinned like this for as long as I needed.

“All I wanted was to have a word with Isabella. She’s done nothing but scheme to ruin and sabotage my marriage since it began. The petty little witch was furious to find that I was thriving in my union while her precious Samantha was floundering,” I spat, my voice dripping with disdain.

A wicked smile crept onto my face.

“Tell me, Liam, what’s it like having Samantha as your Luna?” I asked, my tone laced with mockery.

Liam struggled to meet my gaze, his expression a mix of discomfort and embarrassment as he searched for the right words.

“It’s… not what I was hoping for…” he replied, his voice faltering.

“Bastard,” Samantha managed to choke out, her voice strained.

“I can hardly believe there was a time I felt sympathy for you and your predicament,” I said, directing my words at Liam. “But then it hit me—this is just karma coming back to bite you hard.”

Alexander’s brow furrowed in confusion as he exchanged glances between Liam and me, clearly trying to piece together the chaos unfolding before him.

“My only intention was to tell Isabella to stay away, and of course, this one”—I gestured sharply toward Samantha—“decided to show up. The two of them did nothing but conspire to shame my marriage to Alexander, claiming I was nothing but a burden to everyone. Just as I turned to leave, someone struck me from behind with a book.”

I pressed my nails into Samantha’s skin, savoring the way she yelped in response.

“Ow! I-It was m-mother!” she stammered, panic evident in her eyes.

“Oh, I suspected as much,” I said, a tsk escaping my lips. “You’re not one to make your own choices, let alone think for yourself. You follow every command Isabella gives you.”

“What happened then?” Liam asked, his voice tentative, brimming with curiosity.

“I can only assume the two of them dragged my unconscious body through the hidden door in the living room. When I regained consciousness, I found myself strapped to a cold metal table. Isabella proceeded to rain blows upon me, while Samantha stood idly by, cheering her mother on,” I recounted, relishing the horror that flickered across their faces. “But you know, that wasn’t even the worst part.”

I noticed the flush on Samantha’s face deepening, her lips quivering, and her eyes wide with terror. She was struggling to breathe. The longer I held her like this, the closer she was to slipping into unconsciousness.

“Careful, Samantha,” I hummed, a cruel smile playing on my lips. “You’re teetering on the edge of losing consciousness. What do you think will happen if you do? Hmm?”

Fear flashed in her eyes, and I savored it.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

I pressed the jagged glass close to Samantha’s face, my voice eerily calm.

“Tell us where Isabella and Fiona are,” I demanded. “Or I’m going to carve the word ‘ugly’ into your skin.”

The air in Samantha’s lungs seemed to vanish, her expression morphing into one of sheer terror.

“I don’t know where she is!” she exclaimed, panic lacing her voice.

“I don’t believe you. And my patience is wearing thin.”

Just as I was about to bring the sharp edge of the glass to her face, a large hand encircled my wrist, yanking my arm back with force. A violent snarl erupted from my throat.

“Evelyn,” Alexander spoke softly, a hint of desperation in his tone. “Let it go.”

“No! She needs to understand what it feels like to hurt the way I do,” I spat, anger boiling within me. “She just stood there, watching them.”

“I know,” he replied, his tone steady and understanding.

“No, you don’t!” I hissed, my glare fixed on Samantha. “You wanted to make me as ugly as my husband, didn’t you? Well, I think I’ve earned the right to return the favor.”

Alexander maintained his grip, refusing to release me.

“Doing this to Samantha won’t change anything,” he reasoned, his voice calm yet firm. “This isn’t who you are.”

“Maybe you don’t truly know who I am,” I retorted, my heart pounding with rage and adrenaline.