The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 76

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
By Sophia Reed

**Chapter 76: Desperate For Answers**

[Evelyn’s POV]

“I absolutely do not want you anywhere near Michael from this point forward,” Alexander declared, his voice cutting through the tranquil atmosphere that had enveloped me since the break of dawn.

The calm I had been nurturing in the greenhouse shattered at his words. I had believed that with Michael’s departure, the house would breathe a sigh of relief, but it seemed that Alexander’s mood had only darkened further.

Even after I had reassured him that there was no cause for concern regarding Michael, I sensed a lingering doubt in his eyes. I had wished for a return to the easy familiarity we had shared before Michael’s visit, but that hope now felt like a distant dream.

Alexander remained holed up in his office, rarely joining me for meals. Nina and Wendy insisted it was merely his need to catch up on work, but I knew the truth.

He was still deeply unsettled by the very presence of his stepbrother. The fact that Michael and I had a history only seemed to fan the flames of his discomfort. I had done everything I could to convince Alexander that nothing untoward was happening between Michael and me, but it was clear that my reassurances fell flat.

I had genuinely hoped he would trust me, especially since I was speaking from the heart. Yet, living with him for these past few months had taught me one undeniable truth: Alexander was immovable, a wall of stubbornness that refused to budge.

As I stood there, my heart racing, I felt the weight of his gaze upon me. My body tensed, caught in a moment of uncertainty as I leaned over my hibiscus plants, their vibrant petals a stark contrast to the tension in the air.

I dared a glance over my shoulder and found Alexander framed in the doorway, his expression inscrutable, a mask of seriousness that sent a chill down my spine.

“What?” I managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper, as if the words themselves might shatter the fragile silence.

“You heard me clearly. You are not allowed to see Michael anymore,” he reiterated, his tone unyielding.

This time, I felt a spark of defiance ignite within me. My eyebrows knitted together in disbelief.

“Are you genuinely serious right now?”

His only response was a raised eyebrow, a silent challenge that urged me to back down. I let out a humorless laugh, shaking my head in disbelief.

“Alexander, why on earth would you think you can dictate my friendships—”

“Because I said so,” he interrupted, his voice clipped and final.

“That is not a legitimate reason!” I shot back, my frustration bubbling over.

I could see the tension in his jaw, the way his eyes narrowed at my defiance. Anger flickered at the corners of his expression, a storm brewing beneath the surface.

“I am a grown woman, Alexander. You cannot simply tell me I am no longer allowed to see someone just because you have a problem with it,” I stated firmly, my hands planted on my hips. “If you were willing to actually discuss your concerns with me, perhaps we could reach some kind of understanding. But until then, my answer is no.”

I should have anticipated that my bold response would land like a heavy stone in the air between us. Alexander’s expression shifted, a mix of disbelief and fury flashing across his face. It was as if he were on the verge of launching himself at me, held back only by the chair he occupied. Clearly, no one had ever dared to defy him before, and the audacity of my refusal seemed to rattle him.

But I was not one of his subordinates. I was not a mere employee or even a distant relative.

I was his wife. A partner meant to share in his burdens, to help navigate the complexities of life together.

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