The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 273

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 273: Mother’s News**

**Judy’s POV**

“Mom, you can’t possibly be serious!” I exclaimed, my voice barely above a shocked whisper. The weight of her words hung heavily in the air, and I could hardly wrap my mind around the reality she was presenting. “How could you agree to something like this?”

“I understand it’s not the perfect scenario, but—”

“Not the perfect scenario?!” I interrupted, incredulity flooding my voice.

“Don’t raise your voice at me, Judy,” my mother admonished, her tone sharp yet weary. “We need the money, and I am running out of options.” Her eyes darted away, avoiding my gaze as if the truth was too painful to confront directly.

“If they’re so eager for you to sell our house for cash, then why not just ask them for a loan? I thought you were going to do that!” I exclaimed, shaking my head in disbelief at the sheer illogic of the situation. “It doesn’t add up!”

“I just couldn’t bring myself to ask them,” she confessed, her voice strained. “Especially after Raymond explained how he made some risky investments and is now worried about the outcome.” She sighed, the weight of her pride evident in her posture. “Plus, I simply refuse to ask them for handouts.”

“But you have no qualms about me asking Ethan for money?” I countered, arching an eyebrow in challenge.

“That’s different,” she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. “He’s your fated mate, and you were meant to marry him.”

“Isn’t Meredith your friend?” I pressed, giving her a pointed look. “Why not turn to her for help?”

She bit her lower lip, her gaze dropping to the towel she clutched in her hands, as if it held the answers to all our problems.

“I just can’t bring myself to do that. This feels like the easiest solution, and I’ll still have my pride intact. Living here won’t be so terrible. They’ve graciously opened their home to us, and I intend to accept their offer.”

“Isn’t living here also a blow to your pride?” I asked, my voice softer now, as I searched her eyes for understanding.

She sighed deeply, finally lifting her gaze to meet mine, and I could see the worry etched on her face.

“It’s different,” she said gently, her words wrapping around me like a fragile thread. “I’m sorry for upsetting you, Judy. But if you can’t get the money from Ethan, then this is the next best option. I’m at a loss for what else to do, but selling the house will bring us one step closer to helping your father. That’s all that truly matters to me right now.”

Tears welled up in my eyes before I could even think to stop them. I didn’t want to cry here, not in the Cash family manor, not when I was trying so hard to hold it together. But the sting of helplessness was overwhelming.

“I can’t live here, Mom…” I whispered, my voice trembling.

“Oh, sweetie.” She reached out, brushing my cheek with her hand. “If this is about Ethan and Irene, don’t worry. They won’t be living here. Once Ethan becomes our Alpha, they will be in the packhouse. You won’t have to see them every day,” she reassured me, her voice soothing. “Besides, once he marks and mates with Irene, your bond will officially be severed, and you won’t have to bear the pain of that broken connection any longer.”

“That’s not what this is about,” I insisted, shaking my head vigorously. “His family doesn’t like me. They’ll make my life unbearable. I was here for only a few minutes, and his sister already managed to spill wine all over me!”

She sighed, her expression softening.

“I’m sure it was an accident. Kelsey is a sweet girl; she’s just a child,” my mother tried to defend her.

“She’s 18, Mom. She’s an adult,” I reminded her, frustration creeping into my tone.

“That’s hardly an adult,” she murmured, dismissing my point. “I’m certain she didn’t mean anything by it.”

“She told me that Ethan deserved better than me,” I whispered, my heart sinking even lower. “That I wasn’t good enough for her brother.”

“She’s just being protective,” my mother said, placing the hand towel aside before turning to me, her hands resting gently on my shoulders. I lifted my tear-filled gaze to hers, and I could see the worry etched deeply in her features. She was scared for our future, and I felt the weight of my own turmoil only adding to her burden.

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat growing larger, and sniffled as I wiped away the stray tears that had escaped down my cheeks.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. I know you’re doing your best.”

She nodded, taking a deep breath as if trying to steady herself.

“I love you, Judy,” she said softly, her eyes glimmering with unshed tears. “I’m sorry for springing this news on you so abruptly. But if you really think you can’t live here, maybe Nan will have an extra room for you?”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. So, it came down to either living with the Cash family or finding another place entirely. My mother had made her choice, and like so many others in my life, she wasn’t choosing me. She was leaving me behind, abandoning me—just as Kelsey had said. Did she know about this? Perhaps that was why Kelsey had mentioned how everyone in my life eventually leaves.

I bit my lower lip, desperately trying to keep my tears at bay. I didn’t want to cry any more, but the fight to hold them back felt futile.

“How about we try to enjoy the rest of the barbecue?” she suggested, gently lifting my chin so that our eyes met. “Oh, by the way, do you know Alpha Gavin Landry? It seemed like he recognized you.”

I hesitated, biting my lip as I shook my head. I hated lying to her, but the truth felt too dangerous to share.

“Not really,” I replied, opting for a half-truth. “I work as a tutor in his pack, so I’ve met him a few times. Nothing serious, though.”

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