The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 237

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 237: Putting On A Show**

**Judy’s POV**

As I sat in the parlor, the air shifted with Irene’s entrance. “Oh, hey Judy,” she greeted, her voice light and playful, as though she had just emerged from a daydream. The flush on her cheeks hinted at something more than mere excitement. That radiant smile of hers seemed permanently etched on her lips, as she tossed her hair back with a casual grace. I couldn’t help but notice the way she stepped into the room, her presence almost magnetic.

Matt, who had been diligently focused on his homework, lifted his gaze, momentarily distracted by his sister’s arrival.

“How are things going in here?” Irene inquired, settling herself on the loveseat across the room. Ethan, ever the devoted boyfriend, slid in beside her, their fingers intertwining like vines in a garden, a testament to their undeniable chemistry. I felt a pang of irritation as I recalled the previous night—Ethan had been at my house, while Irene had been frantically trying to reach him. Did she have any inkling of his betrayal?

“Great, just finishing up some Algebra,” I replied, redirecting my attention to Matt, who seemed blissfully unaware of the tension in the air. I made a conscious effort to tune out the sweet nothings Ethan was whispering into Irene’s ear, her delighted giggles only amplifying my annoyance.

The annoyance simmered within me, creeping up my spine like an unwelcome intruder. I could feel Ethan’s gaze flickering towards me, but I straightened my back, determined to focus on the task at hand.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and one of the maids entered with a tray of pastries. “I brought some pastries,” she announced cheerfully, placing the tray on the coffee table, a colorful assortment of scones and sugar cookies that wafted a delightful aroma through the room.

“Thank you, Maria,” Irene said, her tone sweet and gracious.

The maid nodded and exited, leaving us to indulge in the treats. Ethan stood and ambled over to the coffee table, eyeing the pastries with a look of eager anticipation. He selected a couple of cookies and returned to the loveseat, draping an arm around Irene protectively. I watched, my heart sinking, as he brought a cookie to her lips.

She smiled, her eyes sparkling with delight as she took a bite.

“Gag,” Matt muttered, rolling his eyes in exasperation. “Can’t you do that somewhere else?”

Irene shot him a disapproving look, but Ethan simply wiped a crumb from her lips, his finger lingering there for just a moment too long before he licked it clean, his gaze momentarily locking with mine. A fire ignited within me, and I pressed my lips into a thin line, refusing to let him get under my skin.

“You don’t have to watch us,” Irene retorted, her tone sharp as she snuggled closer to Ethan, who planted a gentle kiss atop her head.

Once again, I found myself grappling with the unsettling thought that Ethan might have played a role in my father discovering my dyslexia. The mere idea twisted my stomach into knots, leaving me feeling nauseous. Would he really stoop so low?

I turned my back on them, burying myself in Matt’s homework. We worked in silence, the hours slipping away as Irene and Ethan continued their flirtation, seemingly oblivious to the world around them.

By the time we wrapped up Matt’s assignments, I felt utterly drained.

“Do you want to stay for dinner again?” Matt asked, packing away his books with a hopeful glance.

“I need to get home,” I replied, rising to my feet. “But I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Matt’s lips formed a slight pout, but he chose not to protest this time.

“I’m going to see what we are having for dinner and offer my assistance in the kitchen,” Irene announced, standing up and pulling Ethan along beside her. She batted her long lashes playfully at him. “Come with me?”

For a moment, I thought he might actually agree, but instead, he smiled sweetly and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “I’ll meet you in there; I have to make a phone call.”

Irene frowned slightly, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she leaned in for a quick kiss before turning to me with a breathy laugh.

“My man is a hard worker,” she declared, a hint of pride in her voice. “Always so busy. It was nice to see you, Judy.”

With that, she and Matt drifted toward the kitchen, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I grabbed my bag from the coffee table, acutely aware of Ethan’s eyes tracking my every move. I tried my best to ignore him, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of my attention.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify