The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 375

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 375: Unexpected Arrival**

**Judy’s POV**

My gaze was fixed in disbelief on the figure standing before me, my heart racing as the reality of her presence began to sink in. The woman’s striking blue eyes were wide, almost startled, and her long blond hair was intricately braided, cascading down her back. She wore cozy-looking pajamas that added an air of vulnerability to her demeanor, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as if seeking comfort from the world around her.

“Irene?” I stammered, still grappling with the shock of seeing her standing there. “W…what are you doing here?”

For a brief moment, she remained silent, her gaze dropping to the floor as she chewed on her lower lip, contemplating her response. My eyes flickered to the pullout couch where a figure lay peacefully asleep beneath a blanket. With a trembling hand, I grasped the corner of the blanket and cautiously pulled it back, revealing the serene face of a sleeping Matthew.

A wave of relief washed over me, and I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

Gavin wasn’t betraying me; he had simply left to pick up Matt and Irene from the airport. The pieces of the puzzle began to align in my mind. He must have gone to fetch them earlier that evening, which explained his absence.

A sudden rush of guilt crashed over me like a freight train. How could I have assumed the worst? I should have trusted him more, given him the benefit of the doubt. What had happened to me? When did I become this irrationally jealous person? The thought of the hurtful things I had said to him twisted my stomach into knots.

I gently returned the blanket over Matt, my heart heavy as I turned my attention back to Irene, who was now staring at the ground, lost in her thoughts.

“When did you arrive?” I asked softly, mindful of the sleeping child.

“Last night,” she replied in a barely audible whisper. “I had to leave Silver Crescent. I didn’t know where else to go. So, I called my father, and he arranged a flight for us. He picked us up at the airport and dropped us off before heading off to his duties.”

In that succinct explanation, she confirmed my suspicions. Gavin truly wasn’t with another woman; he was with his children. The realization tightened around my heart, a heavy weight pressing down on my chest.

I felt utterly foolish for my earlier jealousy, and a wave of humiliation washed over me. I couldn’t believe I had broken into his suite, searching for the other woman in his life, only to discover it was his children all along.

“You’ve got that same look I had the other day,” Irene murmured, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. “Humiliation, hurt, realization, feeling utterly foolish.”

I narrowed my eyes at her, intrigued.

“What do you mean?” I asked, stepping closer. I understood my own feelings, but what was causing hers?

For the first time, I noticed the glistening moisture on her cheeks—she was crying. My heart ached for her. Despite the tumultuous history we shared over the past few months, I didn’t want to see her in pain. She was still Gavin’s daughter, a person I had once considered a friend. I knew she lacked genuine friendships, and right now, she didn’t need an enemy; she needed someone to lean on.

I sat down beside her on the bed, the weight of the moment hanging between us. I waited patiently for her to find her voice, and when she remained silent, I gently reached for her hand, drawing her attention back to me.

“Irene, what happened?” I asked, my tone soft and filled with compassion.

“I shouldn’t have accused you of seducing him… I shouldn’t have believed him over you,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

My heart sank as I processed her words.

She was referring to Ethan… this was about Ethan.

A surge of protectiveness surged within me, and my expression hardened at the thought of Ethan causing her pain. In that moment, Irene appeared so fragile, like a small child ready to curl in on herself. She was grappling with her own guilt, blaming herself for not recognizing the signs sooner, but she needed to understand that this wasn’t her fault. Ethan was a master manipulator, and he would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

Irene was a victim just as much as I was.

“Irene,” I said, turning to face her fully, my voice steady. “What did he do to you?”

“He used me,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “He only wanted me to get closer to my father…”

The weight of her words hung heavy in the air.

“I’m so sorry, Irene,” I murmured, unsure of how to comfort her.

“Did you know, Judy?” she asked, her voice low and filled with vulnerability. She wasn’t accusing me, but I could sense the hurt in her tone.

I didn’t want to deceive her, so I nodded slowly.

“Yes,” I whispered, allowing the truth to settle between us. “I knew.”

“My father owned a business, but we didn’t come from wealth. When he started the business, he took out a sizable loan. They accrued interest on that loan without telling him, so he ended up owing double what he borrowed. Ethan exploited his influence to triple that interest, leaving my father with a debt three times as large. Eventually, he got the loan pulled, and the loan sharks came demanding payment. It was money my father simply didn’t have, despite the business doing well. He had to give them every penny he made, including the business, and it still wasn’t enough…”

“Oh Judy…” Irene whispered, her eyes glistening with tears.

I paused, allowing the weight of my family’s reality to settle in. This was the first time I was voicing this painful story, and it felt surreal to share it with someone unexpected.

Taking a deep breath, I pressed on.

“Because my father couldn’t repay the loan, he was thrown in jail. Ethan is the reason my father is behind bars, and he could easily get him out if he chose to, but he’s using my father against me. He’s subjecting him to daily beatings in prison. My father is being tortured, and Ethan is the architect of this nightmare. He wanted me to live in a house he purchased and be his mistress while he was still married to you, Irene.”

I watched as Irene inhaled sharply, the shock evident on her face. I hated being the bearer of such grim news, but she needed to know the full extent of the situation.

“I refused to comply, and it’s been driving him mad. That’s why I started working as your brother’s tutor; I needed the money to help my family and pay off my father’s debt to secure his release,” I explained.

She shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks.

“Why hasn’t my father done something? He could easily pay off that debt for your father so he can get him out of prison and then do something about Ethan…”

I shook my head, tears brimming in my own eyes.

“I didn’t tell him what Ethan was doing to me,” I admitted, my voice trembling. “This is my burden… I didn’t want to involve your father. Plus, my father has a lot of pride and would never accept help from anyone, especially a Lycan. But mostly, I’m just ashamed and embarrassed…”

“That’s ridiculous, Judy,” Irene said, a flash of anger igniting in her eyes. “Your father is in danger. You should have told my dad so he can help you. You need to get him out of jail.”

I bit my lip, fully aware that she was right.

“I also don’t think your father would be willing to help me if I tried,” I confessed softly.

“Wrong,” a deep and furious voice interrupted from the doorway, causing both of us to flinch. Gavin stood there, his expression tense and determined. “Give me twenty minutes,” he said through gritted teeth as he pulled out his phone. “Afterward…” he added, his gaze shifting to me, making my skin prickle under the intensity of his stare. “We are having a serious conversation.”