The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 81

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 81: Public Meltdown**

[Evelyn’s POV]

Oh my God…

A wave of frustration washed over me as I lamented the universe’s apparent vendetta against me. What in the world was Alexander doing here, of all places?

He was not the kind of person who frequented bustling open markets. With an entire entourage at his beck and call, he had no need to engage in such trivial errands. So, what had compelled him to venture into this chaotic realm of stalls and shoppers? And why, of all times, did it have to coincide with Michael standing barely a foot away from me?

The thought of turning around filled me with dread. I could only imagine the fury etched across Alexander’s face. He was seething, and his tone spoke volumes.

I had to remind myself that I hadn’t done anything wrong—at least not in the way he was portraying it. My insides twisted with anxiety, but I knew these circumstances were beyond my control.

Still, I sensed the storm brewing. He had explicitly instructed me to steer clear of his stepbrother, an order I had defiantly brushed aside. In truth, I had no desire to seek Michael out; it was merely a chance encounter.

When I finally turned to face Alexander, I was met with a visage of barely contained rage, flanked by the stoic presence of Oliver. I struggled to maintain my composure, attempting to treat this moment as if everything was perfectly normal. After all, we were surrounded by a crowd, with people milling about, oblivious to the tension crackling in the air.

Alexander was a private man; surely, he wouldn’t create a spectacle in public. Or would he?

“Alexander, what are you do—”

“I told you! I told you that you were not to be around him!” he spat, his voice a fierce growl. “And yet, you blatantly defied my request.”

I inhaled deeply, forcing myself to stay calm. “It was hardly a request,” I replied, my voice steady. “You ordered me to stay away from Michael, speaking to me as if I were a child.”

“Given your behavior, it’s clear you need to be treated like one,” he shot back, his words slicing through the air. I felt a lump form in my throat. “I didn’t want you to speak with him, let alone meet him!”

“Alexander—”

“Do you think this is some kind of game?!” he bellowed, his anger echoing in the open space.

A chill ran through my veins as I noticed the curious stares of passersby, their eyes drawn to our confrontation. My heart raced, and I felt as if the oxygen was being sucked from my lungs. My hands balled into fists, trembling as I fought to maintain my composure.

I was utterly humiliated.

“You went against my word and did this?!” he accused, his voice rising with each syllable.

“L…”

Words escaped me, trapped behind the weight of my emotions. I could see the opportunity for him to press harder against me.

“How many times have you pulled this little stunt behind my back?” he demanded, his eyes narrowed in accusation. “The whole ‘don’t worry, there’s nothing going on between me and Michael’ was clearly just a load of lies. I should never have let you leave the manor knowing he was still on break.”

With every degrading word, my anxiety spiraled further. Alexander was framing this whole situation as if Michael and I were engaged in some sordid affair behind his back. My stomach twisted in knots, and I could feel the crowd around us growing, their interest in our drama palpable.

With that, Michael walked away, leaving me to grapple with the mess that Alexander had created. I was trembling, every nerve in my body alive with outrage and humiliation.

“We’re going home,” Alexander said, his voice dripping with bitterness.

At that moment, Oliver finally moved, practically dragging me toward the parking lot. I felt numb, too stunned to resist initially. But as we neared the car, the reality of the situation began to seep in, and I fought against his grip, desperate to escape.

The stares of onlookers felt like daggers, piercing through my already fragile state. I was unceremoniously shoved into the back seat of the car while Alexander barked orders at the driver to take us straight home.

The ride back was unbearable. Each accusation he hurled at me felt like a slap across my face, a reminder of my supposed worthlessness.

I’m being punished. That’s what this is… He’s punishing me by humiliating me in public like this.

I sat in silence, refusing to meet his gaze, even though I could feel his eyes boring into me, heavy with disdain.

As we crossed through the main gates, something inside me snapped. The shock began to fade, replaced by a seething rage that coursed through me like wildfire. My hands remained clenched into fists, my muscles taut with frustration.

As soon as the car came to a halt, I flung the door open and stormed toward the front doors. Alexander’s booming voice called after me, but I was determined to escape his cruel taunting.

In an instant, I felt a strong grip on my arm, yanking me back just as I was about to reach the sanctuary of my own room.

I couldn’t hold it in any longer. All the pent-up emotions I had been suppressing erupted from within me, and I let out a scream, raw and unfiltered.