The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 74

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

**Chapter 74: Sibling Rivalry**

From the moment Evelyn stepped into the dining room, a whirlwind of bewilderment engulfed Alexander. He couldn’t quite grasp the reasons behind her intense gaze fixated on Michael, nor could he comprehend the starry-eyed smile she bestowed upon him, a smile that sent an electric jolt through Alexander. It was as if she had stumbled upon a long-lost friend, the kind of reunion that ignites joy and nostalgia, but for Alexander, it ignited something far more tumultuous.

His emotions swirled chaotically—confusion, suspicion, panic, frustration, and a simmering anger. He felt like a ship tossed in a storm, unable to navigate through the turbulent waters of his feelings.

As he turned to steal a glance at his stepbrother, he anticipated the familiar, arrogant smirk that usually adorned Michael’s face. Instead, he was taken aback to find Michael mirroring Evelyn’s expression of astonished delight.

What the hell is happening? How could Evelyn possibly know Michael?

It was unfathomable. They couldn’t have crossed paths in school; Evelyn had been homeschooled, while Michael had spent his formative years in various boarding schools scattered across the country. The odds of them meeting at some social event were slim to none.

Then it hit him. They must have encountered each other outside of these walls. After all, Michael hadn’t been invited to the wedding, just like everyone else. But where did Evelyn go when she wasn’t immersed in her beloved greenhouse or crafting her intricate tea blends?

“We met at the market,” Evelyn casually revealed, as if that explained everything.

Oh, for the love of all that is holy! What are the chances?!

He struggled to maintain his usual stoic demeanor, carefully concealing the tumultuous emotions roiling within him. The last thing he wanted was for Michael to sense his discomfort—he could already envision the insufferable smirk that would spread across Michael’s face if he caught wind of Alexander’s growing unease.

Michael had a knack for turning every situation into a spectacle, relishing the role of the antagonist. The two of them were like oil and water, perpetually at odds. While Alexander had always maintained his composure, Michael reveled in chaos, his devil-may-care attitude earning him a reputation for tormenting others.

It was no surprise that the school would frequently call home, reporting that Michael had left yet another classmate in tears, his monstrous behavior unchecked by their mother, Caroline.

She never took responsibility for her son’s actions; instead, she deflected blame, creating the very monster that now sat across from Alexander’s wife.

All Alexander could do was remain an observer, silently scrutinizing the interaction unfolding before him. Each time Evelyn directed a question toward Michael, he watched intently, gauging how his younger brother would respond.

To his astonishment, Michael’s smile was not the usual predatory grin, but rather a genuine expression of delight that lit up his eyes. It was unsettling.

With every laugh that escaped Evelyn’s lips, Alexander felt a wave of nausea wash over him. How could someone as astute as her fall for Michael’s charm?

From the way Evelyn inquired about Michael’s so-called work, it became glaringly obvious that their chance encounter had been far more significant than Alexander had initially assumed. For her to possess any knowledge about Michael’s current projects indicated that they had engaged in a substantial conversation—a conversation that Alexander had not been privy to.

Dinner progressed in an eerie silence, but within Alexander’s mind, a battle raged. He wrestled with his inner thoughts, trying to make sense of the situation. The way Michael spoke to Evelyn, the way he looked at her, filled him with unease.

Was it a good thing that Michael was behaving like a gentleman, or was it something more sinister?

The realization struck him like a thunderbolt—Michael must have developed an interest in Evelyn. Whatever had transpired during their market encounter had clearly left a mark on him.

Alexander was not well-versed in his brother’s romantic escapades, and truth be told, he preferred to remain in the dark. Any woman willing to entertain Michael was either equally unhinged or woefully misguided in her judgment.

Watching Evelyn practically swoon over Michael’s words made his stomach churn.

The atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically. It was as if the air had thickened, crackling with tension.

Michael’s gaze flicked from Evelyn to Alexander, a challenging look in his eyes. “It truly amazes me that someone like you managed to win over someone like her,” he hissed, his disdain palpable.

With that, he tossed his napkin aside and pushed his chair back, the sound of it scraping against the floor echoing in the silence as he stormed out of the dining room, leaving a thick cloud of tension in his wake.

“Motherfucker,” Alexander muttered under his breath, frustration boiling within him.

“Alexander.” Evelyn’s voice cut through the haze of his thoughts, gentle yet firm. He felt her soft hand brush against his arm, an anchor in the storm of his emotions. “Look at me.”

Reluctantly, he lifted his gaze to meet her earnest eyes, filled with a sincerity that both comforted and unsettled him.

“Whatever you’re thinking right now, you’re mistaken,” she asserted, her voice unwavering.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied, trying to mask the turmoil within.

“I promise you, I do not have any feelings for Michael,” she declared with conviction.

In that moment, he froze, his heart pounding as he processed her words. How could she possibly know the chaotic thoughts swirling in his mind? She had an uncanny ability to read him, to see through his carefully constructed façade.

Gently, he placed his hand over hers, seeking solace in her warmth. As he nodded slowly, he desperately wanted to believe her. He truly did.