The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 210

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 210: He Knows Everything**

**Judy’s POV**

My heart raced as I shot a glance at Gavin, utterly taken aback by his knowledge of Ethan being my ex-fiancé. It was as if he had delved deep into the archives of my life, unearthing secrets I had tried so hard to keep buried. Initially, I had assumed he merely searched my name, but the depth of his understanding was far more than I had anticipated.

“How did you know that he was my ex-fiancé?” My voice trembled slightly, a mix of surprise and a hint of vulnerability.

Gavin shrugged nonchalantly, a smirk playing on his lips. “There’s very little I don’t know,” he replied, his tone casual yet laced with an underlying intensity. “Like the fact that Ethan, who is currently engaged to my daughter, was your fated mate.”

His words hit me like a cold wave, and I inhaled sharply, my cheeks flushing with a heat that was both embarrassing and infuriating.

“Am I wrong?” he pressed, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made it hard to look away. I could tell from his tone that he was confident, perhaps even smug. I shook my head, unable to meet his gaze any longer, the weight of my embarrassment pulling my eyes downwards. This was the last thing I wanted him to know. “Regardless of what happened in the past, Irene and Ethan are to be married soon, and I truly hope everything goes smoothly for her sake.”

I bit my lip, wishing to retreat from this conversation entirely. I silently hoped he would take my silence as a cue to drop the subject.

As we drove on, I turned my attention to the window, watching the scenery blur by, but my frown deepened when I recognized the familiar borders of my pack. I hadn’t disclosed my home to him, yet here we were, the driver navigating towards my parents’ house. My heart raced in my chest; was there anything this man didn’t uncover?

I glanced back at him, noticing that he was gazing out the window, his expression serious. His strong jawline tensed, and his lips formed a thin line, as if he were lost in thought. Memories of our last encounter flooded my mind, and I couldn’t help but recall the way his lips had felt against mine—soft yet ignited with a fervor that left me breathless.

I unconsciously licked my lips, the memory igniting a warmth within me.

My fingers instinctively traveled to the nape of my neck, brushing against the spot where he had kissed me. The hickey that had provoked Ethan’s fury was still fresh in my mind. I felt heat rise to my face at the thought of Gavin’s mark on my skin.

“If you’re done staring at me, you can get out now,” Gavin’s voice sliced through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality.

I blinked a few times, realizing we had arrived at my parents’ house.

“Oh,” I breathed, a wave of embarrassment washing over me as I realized I had been caught staring. I felt a desperate urge to escape his presence as quickly as possible.

With a quick motion, I unbuckled my seatbelt, shouldered my purse, and swung open the car door.

“Uh, thank you for the ride,” I mumbled, the words feeling inadequate.

He nodded curtly, but just as I was about to step out, I felt his hand encircle my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.

“Judy,” he said, his voice commanding, sending a shiver down my spine. The way he said my name sent warmth coursing through me, igniting a mix of emotions I couldn’t quite place. I paused, meeting his gaze, my breath hitching in my throat.

“Yes?” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, laced with an unexpected vulnerability.

His grip relaxed slightly as he said, “We won’t be meeting again; understood?”

His words pierced through me like a knife, leaving me momentarily speechless. I felt a rush of emotions—shock, hurt, and a deep sense of loss. I swallowed hard, trying to suppress the lump forming in my throat, and managed a small nod.

“Understood,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

As he released my wrist, I felt an immediate chill from the absence of his touch, as if I had stepped out into a biting winter wind without a coat. It was a strange sensation, especially considering our limited encounters, yet I felt the loss acutely, as if a part of me was being stripped away.

Without uttering another word, I stepped out of the car, the door closing behind me with a soft thud. I could no longer see Gavin through the tinted windows, but I felt his gaze lingering on me as I turned and hurried towards the house, fumbling for my keys in my purse.

The house was dark, a clear indication that my mother was either asleep or had gone out for the evening.

I unlocked the door and pushed it open, pausing momentarily as I sensed Gavin’s gaze still on me from the driveway. Realizing the car was still parked in front, I turned slightly, offering an awkward wave before stepping inside and shutting the door firmly behind me.

A few moments later, I heard the sound of the car driving away, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

Retreating upstairs to my room, I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I changed out of my uniform. I was done with this degrading job that threatened to strip me of my self-respect. I was better than this, and I needed to refocus on my studies so I could graduate and become a Gamma. I had already sent out numerous applications to potential employers that aligned with my career aspirations.

I hoped to hear back from them soon.

Pulling my phone from my bag, I intended to text Nan to let her know I had made it home safely and that I wouldn’t be returning to work anytime soon. There was no way I could face that place again after what had transpired tonight. I made a mental note to apologize to the manager as well.

Just as I was about to pull up Nan’s contact, a new message flashed on my screen.

Frowning, I saw Ethan’s name glaring back at me. With a sigh, I opened the message, gasping in horror at the venomous words he had sent.

Ethan: How dare you leave with another man! You truly are a slut!!

Ethan: You’ll spread your legs for anyone for money. Have you always been this shameless?

Ethan: Maybe if I gave you money, you’d spread your legs for me in the two years I’ve wasted on you.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify