The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 223

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 223: Disloyal**

**Judy’s POV**

B

**Finished**

The moment I first understood that Carol was no longer my friend feels etched in my memory, a vivid snapshot of betrayal that took root back in middle school. It was just a few days after the spelling bee contest, a seemingly innocuous event that turned into a watershed moment for both of us. Carol had been so close to victory, missing just a single letter in the word ‘Necessary.’ That small slip cost her the win, and though the contest was minor, she took it to heart—her heart, once so open and warm, turned cold towards me. In her eyes, I had stolen her moment, and she never forgave me for it.

In public, she wore a mask of friendship, congratulating me with forced enthusiasm and even wrapping her arms around me in a hug that felt more like a noose. The school had planned a mock award ceremony to celebrate my win, and my adoptive mother had insisted I wear a beautiful dress, one that shimmered under the fluorescent lights of the auditorium. She even helped me craft a speech, her excitement palpable as she guided my trembling hands.

Few people know this about me, but I’ve battled dyslexia for as long as I can remember. The letters danced on the page, often rearranging themselves into a chaotic jumble that made reading and writing a Herculean task. The thought of reading aloud in class was a nightmare that haunted me daily. Many knew I struggled, but they never grasped the reason behind my difficulties. I had become a master at hiding my condition, wrapping it in layers of bravado and feigned confidence. Only a select few—Nan, my steadfast friend since elementary school, my adoptive parents, and, unfortunately, Ethan—knew the truth.

I had confided in Ethan after he marked me, desperate to eliminate secrets between us.

Carol, like the rest of our classmates, only recognized that I had trouble with reading and writing, but she had no inkling of the real struggle I faced. She knew how much effort I poured into preparing for that spelling bee; we had trained together countless hours. After my victory, she spent time with me, helping me rehearse the speech my mother and I had crafted for the award ceremony.

Though I stumbled over some words at first, I eventually mastered it, gaining confidence as the date approached. But when the moment finally arrived, and I stood before the assembly, my heart raced with excitement and dread. As my name echoed through the auditorium as the spelling bee champion, I was ready to deliver my speech. But as I glanced down at the paper, my heart sank. The words had morphed into an illegible mess, each letter mocking me with its unfamiliarity. Someone had switched my speech, rendering it unreadable.

Panic surged through me as I stood before my peers, each word a struggle, each sentence a battle.

Never had I felt such profound embarrassment. Laughter erupted from the crowd, a cacophony of mockery that pierced my heart. My eyes locked onto Carol’s, and there it was—a smirk, a glimmer of satisfaction that confirmed my worst fears. This was her doing. Just then, her new friends approached me, a bucket of glue in hand, and before I could react, they dumped it over my head.

In that moment, the principal rushed forward, but it was Carol who stood defiantly in front of me.

“You stole my prize. You don’t deserve to win. I saw your notebook; you had every word memorized. You cheated!” Her voice dripped with venom. She then threw handfuls of glitter at me, branding me a cheater in front of everyone.

I hadn’t cheated; I had studied diligently. I needed that extra help, and I used the resources available to me.

The laughter of my classmates echoed in my ears, drowning out my thoughts. They chanted that I was a cheater, their jeers cutting deep, mocking me for my reading struggles.

The principal finally managed to disperse Carol and her friends, and it was Nan who rushed to my side, her presence a balm to my wounded spirit. She had been my friend long before that day, but it was in that moment of shared humiliation that she became my truest ally. That was also the day I found the courage to reveal my dyslexia to her.

Meanwhile, Carol faced little consequence for her actions, her famous mother and wealthy father shielding her from the repercussions of her cruelty.

From that day forward, I vowed to never again feel so vulnerable. My parents enrolled me in therapy, where I learned how to navigate my condition, and I dedicated myself to studying harder than ever, determined to prove my worth.

As I stood on the stage, lost in thought, I hadn’t revisited that painful memory in years. My peers watched me with bated breath, their eyes filled with anticipation. What would I do? Would I stand up for myself? Would I tell Carol that I was deserving of this scholarship?

But just like during the spelling bee, I found myself speechless.

“Carol, this is quite a serious accusation,” the dean said, arms crossed, his brow furrowing in concern. “This isn’t the appropriate time or place for such a scene.”

“I have proof that Judy doesn’t deserve this award,” Carol declared, stepping closer to me, her voice dripping with disdain. “She’s a fake… a fraud.”

Stunned, I stood frozen, struggling to process her words. The silence hung heavily in the air, everyone waiting for me to defend myself, but I felt numb, as if I were trapped in a fog.

The dean appeared equally perplexed, his brows knitting together as he cleared his throat, attempting to regain control.

“Let’s discuss this in my office,” he finally suggested, his tone firm yet diplomatic. “It would be better to handle this matter privately.”

“Fine by me,” Carol replied, her eyes narrowing as she shot me a glare. “I’d be thrilled to show you the proof.”

The dean nodded, leading us out of the ceremony room. As we walked, I could feel the weight of my classmates’ whispers trailing behind us.

“Is she really unworthy of the scholarship?”

“Her silence speaks volumes!”

“Why isn’t she defending herself??”

I lifted my gaze slightly as I passed Nan; her eyes were wide with concern, but when our eyes met, she offered me a reassuring smile that wrapped around my heart like a warm hug. In that moment, I felt a flicker of hope.

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