The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 285

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 285: My Mother’s Choice**

**Judy’s POV**

A protest bubbled up in my throat, desperate to escape my lips. I couldn’t just leave with him; there was too much at stake, too many eyes watching. But before I could voice my concerns, a sharp knock echoed through the bathroom, sending a jolt of tension through my body. My cheeks flushed with heat, a mix of embarrassment and anxiety. Gavin, on the other hand, seemed unfazed. He stepped back and shot me a playful wink, which only deepened the crimson hue on my face. I wanted to leap in front of him, to shield him from whatever was about to unfold, but it was already too late.

With a swift motion, he flung the door open, and there stood my mother, her wide eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and concern. She scrutinized Gavin for a fleeting moment, her body trembling slightly, before her gaze locked onto mine.

“Judy, sweetie,” she exhaled, brushing past Gavin as if he were an inconsequential shadow. “Are you okay? What happened to you?”

“It’s alright,” I hurriedly reassured her, not wanting to add to her worries. “I’m fine. Gavin patched me up. I’m good as new.”

I held out my hand for her to see, and she cradled it in hers, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Deep down, I knew she was aware of the turmoil swirling around me, yet she wore a mask of feigned normalcy, pretending as if she hadn’t heard the whispers that had traveled through the grapevine. I couldn’t fault her for this; she was merely trying to hold our fragile family together, all in a desperate bid to secure my father’s release from prison.

Once upon a time, I would have gone to the ends of the earth for Ethan, just as she was doing for my father.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“It’s really okay, Mom,” I replied, my heart aching at the sight of her distress. “It was just an accident. These things happen.”

Lying to her felt like a betrayal, but what other choice did I have? Gavin’s expression darkened, a storm brewing behind his eyes; he knew the truth and felt the anger on my behalf. I subtly shook my head, hoping he would understand my unspoken plea as my mother enveloped me in her warm embrace. I didn’t want him to expose my deception.

With a resigned sigh, he crossed his arms over his chest, a picture of frustration.

“I have a separate mansion in my pack,” Gavin began, his voice steady as my mother slowly disentangled herself from me. “It’s fully staffed, and I’m only there when I have business at the Northern Border. I want you both to live there. There are no strings attached.”

My mother’s eyes widened in disbelief, her gaze darting between Gavin and me. I was momentarily speechless, my heart swelling with hope. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes at the thought of escape.

I expected her to leap at this chance, to grasp it with both hands, but when silence hung heavily in the air, my heart sank. I could see the worry etched on her face, and it weighed down on me like a leaden anchor.

“Alpha, would you mind if I spoke to my daughter alone?” she asked him, her voice steady yet tinged with urgency.

Gavin’s surprise flickered across his face, and I mirrored his confusion. But after a brief moment, he nodded, his expression softening.

“Of course,” he replied. “Take all the time you need.”

He shot me one last look, filled with a mix of concern and frustration, before stepping out of the bathroom, leaving my mother and me in a fragile bubble of solitude.

“Mom, what’s going on?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“First, can I ask you something?” she began, her brows arching with curiosity. “Is there something going on between you and Gavin Landry?”

Her question caught me off guard, and I felt the heat rush to my cheeks once more.

“No, of course not!” I exclaimed, the words tumbling out in a rush. “Why do you ask?”

She shrugged, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

“He seems to show you a lot of concern. I know you’ve been working in his pack as a tutor, and that’s how you know him… but he treats you with a care that feels almost intimate.”

“Nothing is going on,” I insisted, my gaze dropping to my hands, which were trembling slightly. “Is that why you wanted to talk to me?”

“No,” she replied, stepping closer and taking my hands in hers, her grip warm and reassuring. “I can’t leave here, Judy.”

A sharp breath caught in my throat.

“What? Why not?” I asked, shaking my head in disbelief, unwilling to accept her words.

She sighed, her expression heavy with sadness.

“Because if I leave, we won’t have the Cash family’s support,” she murmured. “They’ve offered me money in exchange for doing some housework for them. I get to live in one of their pristine guest rooms and share meals with the family, but I have to do basic chores. In return, they’ll give me a substantial amount that will help pay off your father’s debt.”

My eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“They want you to be a maid?” I asked, my lips pressing into a thin line. I had seen how they treated their servants, and the thought of my mother being subjected to that made my stomach churn.

“Not exactly,” she clarified, her voice softening. “It’s different because they treat me like an old friend, like I’m part of their family.”

I shook my head, tears brimming in my eyes.

“Mom, you can’t be serious. Please, Alpha Landry is giving us a way out of here…”

“Is he offering to pay your father’s debt?” she countered, her gaze piercing through me. “Have you asked him?”

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat growing. I hadn’t brought up my father’s debt to Gavin. He might have sensed my desperation during our previous encounters, but I had never revealed the full extent of my family’s troubles. The thought of doing so filled me with shame, and I didn’t want him to carry that burden.

At least, not now.

My mother’s eyes softened as she read my expression.

“Oh, Judy, you’re back!” Meredith exclaimed, rushing over with a feigned look of concern. “How are you feeling? How’s your hand? I’m so sorry about what happened.”

“It’s okay,” I murmured, glancing at Gavin, who looked furious. He could see through their charade, and I felt a sense of relief.

“Why don’t you head back to your room and rest for the evening?” she suggested, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

I looked at my mother, and she offered me a faint smile, a flicker of encouragement.

“Okay,” I replied quietly. “Good night.”

I turned to leave the parlor, but as soon as I stepped out and the door clicked shut behind me, it swung open again. I turned to find Gavin following me, his expression dark with barely contained rage.

“You’re living with me whether you like it or not. I don’t want you here any longer,” he declared, his tone brooking no argument. He expected resistance, but I had already made my decision.

I nodded, feeling a wave of resignation wash over me.

“Okay,” I said, my voice small.

His expression softened, surprise flickering across his features.

“Okay, then,” he murmured. “And your mother—”

“She’s staying here,” I interrupted, halting whatever he was about to say. “It was her choice. She doesn’t want to come.”

He raised an eyebrow, skepticism written all over his face.

“Are you sure?”

“She’s made up her mind, Gavin,” I insisted. “But if we leave… you have to promise me that you’ll ensure they treat my mother with respect and kindness. Don’t let this…” I gestured to my injured hand, “… happen to her too.”

His eyes darkened, and he nodded resolutely.

“I’ll speak with them,” he vowed without hesitation. “They won’t lay a finger on her.”

Relief flooded through me, and I turned to head back toward the servant’s quarters, but he grasped my arm to stop me.

“Pack your things. Beta Taylor will be by tonight to pick you up. Just tell them you’re staying with a friend going forward.”