The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 173

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 173: Facing The Truth**

Leonard stood at the threshold, his mind swirling with questions. Why had Evelyn and Alexander abruptly decided to withdraw their conversation from the living room? The air had been thick with unspoken words, and he felt an unsettling curiosity tugging at him. Yet, instead of pressing them for answers, he turned away, retreating to the sanctuary of his private study—a place where he could gather his thoughts and seek clarity.

Once behind his desk, he settled into the familiar comfort of his chair, the wood cool against his palms. Evelyn and Alexander took their seats opposite him, their expressions a mix of determination and concern. Leonard could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him. The older Alpha was grappling with the shocking revelations that had been laid bare before him. The very thought of the physical torment his daughter had endured was a bitter pill to swallow.

Why would anyone wish to harm Evelyn? It was a question that echoed in his mind, refusing to be silenced.

Over the years, Leonard had become a man of few words, choosing silence over idle chatter. Yet, he had always held a keen awareness of Evelyn’s vibrant spirit. She was a breath of fresh air, so unlike her sister Samantha, whose priorities lay in the glimmering world of socialites and extravagant parties. Evelyn, on the other hand, had dedicated herself to understanding the intricate dynamics of pack life. It was a noble pursuit, one that filled him with pride, but he harbored a nagging fear that her intellect and ambition might deter potential suitors.

Samantha, with her focus on beauty and charm, seemed to attract attention effortlessly, yet she remained oblivious to the very foundations of pack governance. When the marriage proposal from the Alpha King had arrived, Leonard had felt a shiver of apprehension. The idea of Samantha being paired with Alexander felt utterly wrong. How could such a distinguished Alpha tolerate someone so frivolous?

At that time, the overwhelming consensus was that Alexander was a broken man, both physically and emotionally. Isabella, ever the protective mother, had vehemently opposed the match, refusing to allow her daughter to be tied to someone deemed unworthy.

But as the seasons changed, Leonard found himself astonished to witness the blossoming bond between Evelyn and Alexander. Their marriage had flourished in ways he had never anticipated, radiating a natural chemistry that outshone Samantha and Liam’s union. Leonard could hardly believe it; he had once dismissed the match as a disastrous mistake, yet here they were, proving him wrong.

With both daughters now married and establishing their own lives, Leonard felt a strange emptiness settle in the house. It was just him, Isabella, and the ever-present shadow of his son, Edward.

Edward…

The mere thought of his son sent a wave of anguish crashing over him. Leonard’s heart ached with the weight of his son’s condition. The likelihood of Edward awakening from his coma had always been a fragile hope, but recently, there had been a flicker of improvement. The idea that Edward might emerge from the darkness felt like a distant star, shining faintly yet tantalizingly close.

But then, in a cruel twist of fate, Edward’s health had taken a nosedive, snuffing out that glimmer of hope. It was as if the universe had conspired against them. Yet, Evelyn, with her unwavering resolve, had sought a solution.

Leonard recalled the moment she had chastised him for neglecting Edward’s care. Her words had struck him like a thunderbolt, igniting a spark of determination within him. He had tried to visit his son shortly after Evelyn’s abrupt departure, only to be met with an impenetrable barrier. The guard stationed outside Edward’s room had informed him, with a tone of utmost respect, that only the physician was permitted entry.

Leonard’s heart sank at the realization that this restriction had been put in place by Evelyn herself. Why would she deny their family the chance to see Edward?

When he confronted Isabella about this troubling development, he was met with a cold dismissal. She rolled her eyes, her bitterness palpable, as if the very mention of Edward was a wound she preferred to keep buried. Leonard found her reaction to be unsettling; it was as if a shadow had fallen over her, one he couldn’t quite understand.

As the days passed, Isabella’s demeanor grew increasingly bleak. She lashed out at anyone who dared approach her, her words sharp and unyielding. Leonard had never imagined that her behavior could be linked to Edward’s plight, yet here they were, entangled in a web of unspoken grief.

“What you saw out there was distilling equipment,” Alexander began, his voice steady but grave. “It seems your wife has taken to playing chemist, Mr. Silverwood. She’s been experimenting with Hemlock.”

Leonard’s brow furrowed in disbelief. “Hemlock? How in the world did Isabella manage to acquire that?”

“The same way she procured the aphrodisiac she slipped to Samantha,” Evelyn interjected briskly. “Do you remember the night Michael made that unexpected appearance? Isabella saw it as her chance to sabotage my marriage and tarnish my reputation.”

“She tainted Samantha’s tea with that same aphrodisiac, rendering her vulnerable to any male around,” Alexander growled, his voice laced with anger.

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