The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 185

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 185: The Break In**

**[Evelyn’s POV]**

It was undeniable; I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for having given the concept of training a second chance. It was a revelation that filled me with emotions I had long thought were beyond my reach. Control. Balance. A profound sense of self-confidence began to blossom within me, like a flower breaking through the frost of winter.

After Alexander’s unexpected appearance at the training tent, a moment that had caught me completely off guard, we had hurriedly gathered our scattered clothes from the ground. Once we were somewhat presentable, he had shared the news I had been anxiously awaiting—the forensic team had finally delivered their results.

While the news itself wasn’t particularly shocking, it washed over me like a wave of relief. I had been bracing myself for the worst, but it seemed that even Isabella, with all her cunning, would struggle to talk her way out of the blame for the orchestrated torment I had endured. The evidence against her was irrefutable; the forensic team had confirmed her possession of Hemlock, a detail that left her little room for denial.

As Alexander and I made our way back to the house, my mind was racing. I longed for a shower to wash away the remnants of the day, but I knew I had to ensure we were prepared for whatever lay ahead in court. The stakes were too high to leave anything to chance.

The moment we stepped into the bedroom, I dashed toward the nightstand, where I had carelessly left my phone.

“Aren’t you coming?” he inquired, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern.

“Yes, just a quick call,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

“To whom?” he pressed, and I could feel the tension in the air shift.

My stomach twisted at the thought of his reaction. Alexander had made it abundantly clear that he was not fond of Edward’s physician. Yet, I couldn’t deny that it was largely due to his expertise that we had been able to pinpoint the exact poison that had nearly claimed my brother’s life.

Dr. Cawfield was as much a part of this case as any of us, but I knew that didn’t guarantee Alexander would welcome any further involvement from him.

Taking a deep breath, I grasped my phone tightly.

“I’m calling Dr. Cawfield,” I stated firmly.

I didn’t need to see his face to know that Alexander’s expression had darkened. I could hear him inhaling sharply, his frustration palpable.

“Evelyn—”

“Stop,” I interjected, my voice cutting through the tension. “This is strictly for the case. I need to ask if he’s willing to testify on our behalf against Isabella. We need his expertise, Alexander.”

After a long, contemplative silence, his rigid expression softened slightly. He nodded slowly, albeit reluctantly.

“I understand,” he murmured, his voice low and measured.

With my phone in hand, I stepped closer to him, meeting his gaze with determination.

“I refuse to entertain the notion that there’s even a slight chance Isabella could weasel her way out of a guilty verdict,” I explained, my voice steady. “If we present all the evidence and the jury still has doubts, we need that additional support to tip the scales in our favor.”

“Alright,” he conceded, his voice carrying a hint of resignation. “I may not be the guy’s biggest fan for reasons I’m not ready to discuss, but it wouldn’t hurt to have some extra backup on something as crucial as this. Go ahead and call him.”

A warm rush of gratitude surged through me, and I instinctively rose onto my toes to plant a quick kiss on his lips. He turned to head into the bathroom while I dialed Henry’s number, my heart racing with anticipation.

On the third ring, his familiar voice crackled through the speaker.

“Hello, Evelyn?”

“Hi, Henry! I hope I’m not interrupting anything important,” I said, trying to keep my tone light.

Probably.

I wasn’t about to rush into anything, especially considering my past attempts at friendship. Even though I felt certain that Henry was nothing like Michael, a part of me remained cautious, unwilling to leave anything to chance.

That evening, Alexander and I decided to retire early. The combination of intense training and the overwhelming task of finalizing the case files had left us both utterly drained.

As I nestled into the comforting embrace of Alexander’s arms, a sense of safety enveloped me, shielding me from any external threats.

Yet, beneath that comfort, an unsettling feeling gnawed at me. I couldn’t quite pinpoint its source, but something felt off. A weight pressed heavily in the center of my chest, and the more I tried to dismiss it, the more pronounced it became.

I opened my eyes to find the room shrouded in darkness. A quick glance at the clock on the nightstand revealed it was just past two in the morning.

Thud… Thud… Thud…

I narrowed my eyes, confusion swirling in my mind. “What the hell?” I whispered to myself.

Alexander lay beside me, blissfully unaware, still lost in sleep. Something was definitely amiss in the hallway. My anxiety spiked, but I couldn’t ignore it. With a sense of urgency, I slipped out of bed and crept toward the door.

Stepping into the dimly lit hallway, I quickly scanned my surroundings, but found no one in sight. That should have been a relief, yet the faint glow of light emanating from the far end of the corridor sent a chill down my spine.

Summoning my courage, I stealthily approached the source of the light. I concealed myself in the doorway, peering into the room just in time to see a slender figure rummaging through every corner. When they turned slightly, my heart leaped into my throat as their identity became clear.

Fiona.