The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 281

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 281: Judy Was Innocent?**

**Judy’s POV**

As I stepped through the grand entrance, the overwhelming sense of dread washed over me like a cold wave. “Judy! We are so glad you decided to move in as well,” Meredith greeted us with a bright smile, her voice dripping with a cheerfulness that felt painfully forced. Standing beside her was Kelsey, arms crossed tightly over her chest, her glare aimed directly at me like a sharpened arrow. I fought the urge to meet her gaze, knowing that any eye contact might ignite a confrontation I desperately wanted to avoid. This was the last place I wanted to be, and the fewer words exchanged, the better for my fragile peace of mind.

“It’s not like I had a choice,” I muttered, the words slipping out before I could rein them in.

My mother shot me a warning nudge in the ribs, her expression a mix of disapproval and concern.

“She’s just joking, of course,” she chimed in, her laughter so artificial it made my skin crawl. She moved towards Meredith, enveloping her in a quick hug, planting a peck on her cheek. “Thank you so much for your hospitality,” she added, her voice sweet as honey.

“Of course; it’s what friends are for,” Meredith replied, but her eyes flickered with something darker as they darted over my mother’s shoulder, locking onto me with an intensity that made my stomach twist. “How about I show you to your room?”

“That would be great,” my mother said, casting a glance at the bags we had left piled at the doorway, a silent plea for assistance.

“Don’t worry about those. I’ll have the butler bring them to your room,” Meredith assured, her eyes flitting to the butler, who nodded dutifully and stepped forward to collect my mother’s belongings.

As Meredith led my mother away, she turned back to Kelsey. “Can you be a dear and show Judy where she’ll be staying?” she asked, her tone casual yet laced with an undercurrent of expectation.

Kelsey’s lips curled into a grin that sent a shiver down my spine, and a feeling of dread settled like a stone in my gut.

“I’ll be glad to,” Kelsey replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she winked at her mother before turning her attention back to me, her eyes darkening in a way that made me feel small. “Come with me.”

I swallowed hard, grabbing my own bags that had been abandoned by the door. The silence between us as we traversed the sprawling mansion felt suffocating, each step echoing in the cavernous hallways. I wished I could say I was shocked as we approached the servants’ quarters, but the truth was, I had anticipated this. It seemed fitting that I would be relegated to the same space as the maids and other help.

Kelsey shoved the door open, leading me through a cramped laundry room that reeked of dampness and neglect. As we stepped into what could only be described as a dismal living area, I was assaulted by the smell of mildew that clung to the air. The flickering lights barely illuminated the grim surroundings. The couch looked as if it had been salvaged from a junkyard, and the kitchen area boasted outdated appliances that appeared ready to spark at any moment.

The rug beneath our feet was stained and worn, and the wallpaper was peeling, creating an atmosphere that felt worlds away from the opulence of the rest of the manor.

A few women were scattered about the room, and upon seeing Kelsey, they straightened up, their expressions shifting to one of apprehension.

She glared at them, her disdain palpable, as if they were nothing more than insects beneath her heel.

“What the hell do you think you are doing?” she spat, her voice low and menacing. “There was dirt in the front foyer, and you are in here doing nothing? Do you both need to be punished again?”

“N…no ma’am,” one of the maids stammered, her eyes glued to the floor in submission. “We were just taking a rest. We had been working all last night and all day without a break…”

“Do I look like I give a shit??” Kelsey hissed, her voice rising in fury. “Get back to work, you useless slaves!”

They nodded quickly, scurrying out of the living room as if fleeing a storm. I stood frozen, my heart racing as I processed Kelsey’s cruelty. I couldn’t fathom how she could treat her workers with such contempt. At only eighteen, it was clear she had learned this behavior from her mother, and the thought made me feel nauseous. I wanted to confront her, to tell her how wrong she was, but the fear of igniting conflict for my mother’s sake held me back.

Without another word, Kelsey lifted her chin, striding toward the staircase with an air of superiority. We wound our way through the curvy hallways until we reached the door at the end. She pushed it open, and I was nearly overwhelmed by the rancid odor that wafted out. The darkness inside was thick, and when she flicked on the light, I nearly gagged. In the center of the room was a puddle of some unidentifiable liquid, and the sparse furnishings—a cot in one corner, a dresser, and a bedside table—looked as if they had been discarded.

“This is a prison cell,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

Kelsey crossed her arms, a smirk playing on her lips.

“This is one of the nicer maid quarters,” she chirped, feigning innocence. “No need to thank me.”

Rolling my eyes, I realized I had expected nothing less.

“By the way, you’re expected to earn your stay,” she added, narrowing her eyes at me, her tone turning serious. “I expect chores done in a timely manner. The other maids will help you get started.”

“You want me to work as your maid?” I asked, incredulous. Were they really going to treat my mother like this too?

“You’re living here rent-free out of courtesy to your family. If you want your mother to continue enjoying a carefree and luxurious life in the Cash manor, then yes, you need to work as our maid,” she explained, her tone dripping with condescension. “It’s the least you can do.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” I shot back, confusion clouding my thoughts.

“You pretty much tore this family apart,” Kelsey sneered, rolling her eyes. “You were never good enough for Ethan. I always knew it, and now everybody else sees it too.”

I pressed my lips together, fighting back the hurt.

“You know he was the one who cheated on me, right?” I challenged her, my voice steady.

She scoffed, her expression dismissive.

“From how I see it, he upgraded,” she retorted, shaking her head with a self-satisfied smirk. “Now settle into your new room… because starting tomorrow, you work for the Cash family now.”

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