The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 315

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**

**Chapter 315: Nan’s Reaction**

**Judy’s POV**

I brought the glass of wine to my lips once more, letting the rich, velvety liquid soothe my senses. The warmth spread through me, momentarily dulling the sharp edges of my anxiety. Yet, despite the comforting effects of the drink, my gaze kept darting to my phone, as if willing it to light up with a missed call or a new message. Each time I checked, only to find the screen dark and silent, a pang of disappointment stabbed at my chest. It was a feeling I had come to loathe, yet it had become all too familiar. I chastised myself for feeling this way. Gavin was simply spending time with his family; it wasn’t an indication of his waning interest in me. After all, what we had was merely a fleeting dalliance—just two people scratching each other’s itches while putting on a facade to keep others at bay.

Still, the anxiety coiled tighter in my chest with every glance at my phone. I inhaled deeply, determined to shake off the feeling, and placed the device on the table, refusing to let it dictate my mood any longer. My eyes drifted towards Nan’s untouched glass of wine, and a frown creased my brow as I turned to glance at the kitchen entryway.

Where could she be? I knew she had gone to check on Chester and Harper, curious about what culinary masterpiece he was concocting, but she had been gone for quite a while now. A flicker of worry crossed my mind—what if she had gotten lost navigating the kitchen? I took another sip of my wine, steeling myself, then set the glass down before rising from my seat. I brushed my palms against my pants, smoothing them down as I made my way towards the kitchen, a sense of urgency propelling me forward.

As I approached, I noticed the kitchen door was ajar, and I could see Nan’s silhouette standing rigidly in the entryway. A smile tugged at my lips, but it quickly faded as I observed the tension radiating from her. She stood there, as stiff as a board, her body betraying her unease.

“Nan, are you alright?” I inquired gently, pausing as I reached her side. I followed her gaze and saw Chester and Harper in a scene that was both shocking and oddly familiar.

Harper was perched on the kitchen counter, her legs wrapped around Chester’s waist, her arms clinging to his neck as if he were her lifeline. Chester’s hands rested loosely on her slender frame, but there was a strange detachment in his expression, almost as if he were a spectator in this intimate moment. Harper, on the other hand, was lost in the kiss, her enthusiasm palpable. I had walked in on them in similar situations before, but never had they been so brazen, so unguarded in the heart of the kitchen.

Harper was known for her professionalism, always keeping her personal life under wraps. They were alone now, but I couldn’t shake the thought that anyone could stumble upon them at any moment—including Nan, who seemed frozen in shock. I bit my lip, suppressing a laugh, and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, hoping to redirect her attention.

But her body tensed further, if that was even possible. My gaze shifted back to the couple, both oblivious to our presence—until I cleared my throat, the sound echoing in the charged atmosphere. They jumped apart as if they had been scalded, Harper nearly losing her balance on the counter, while Chester’s face flushed a deep crimson before paling to a ghostly white upon realizing Nan was standing there. His eyes widened in horror, and I could see the panic setting in.

Nan stepped back, trembling slightly. My frown deepened as I turned to look at her; she was pale, and I felt a knot form in my stomach. Something was amiss with my best friend.

“Nan?” I called softly, tugging at her arm to draw her focus back to me. “Are you alright?”

“Chester?” Harper’s voice broke through, her foot reaching out to touch him, but he recoiled as if her touch burned him.

Nan exhaled a shaky breath, finally tearing her gaze from Chester to meet mine. My heart sank at the sight of tears glistening in her beautiful blue eyes. Something was deeply wrong, and I needed to understand what was troubling her.

“Nan…” I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. “What’s going on?”

“I’m so sorry…” she choked out, her eyes drifting to the floor, avoiding my gaze. “But I can’t stay here…”

“What do you mean?” I asked, confusion flooding my mind as my brows shot up. “Why not? Please, just talk to me…”

She shook her head, fighting to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over.

“I have to go…” she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Before I could respond, she dashed past me, heading straight for the front door.

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