The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 85

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 85: Deep Confessions**

**[Evelyn’s POV]**

This evening had taken a turn I never anticipated. All I craved was the soothing warmth of a cup of tea to alleviate the irritating scratch in my throat, followed by a retreat to my quiet haven where I could collect my thoughts.

The past few days had been a relentless storm, some of the most challenging moments I had ever faced. I had grown accustomed to the presence of people who genuinely cared for me, who valued my existence. The idea of solitude felt foreign and unsettling, a stark contrast to the company I had once cherished.

I was acutely aware that I had chosen to isolate myself; that realization gnawed at me. How could I have allowed my life to spiral into such loneliness? Before my marriage to Alexander, I had been blissfully unaware that my world had revolved solely around my family.

The staff had been my only companions, the sole source of conversation in my otherwise silent existence. Yet, there was only so much time they could spare to engage with me before their duties called them away. As melancholic as it seemed, I clung to every fleeting moment of connection we shared. Without their presence, I often wondered what darkness would have enveloped me. Ironically, the most positive aspect of my union with Alexander had been the expansion of my social circle, a network of individuals I could interact with.

So, why was I now pushing everyone away, including Alexander?

A couple of hours had passed since I had stormed away, my emotions boiling over in a confrontation with Alexander. I was struck by a harsh and painful realization that clawed at my insides—I had hurt someone.

The memory of my head colliding with Oliver’s nose haunted me, the sickening crunch of bone echoing in my mind, making my stomach churn. How could I have done such a thing? I felt utterly lost, my heart heavy with regret. Even though I had demanded he let me go, the knowledge that I had caused him pain was unbearable.

In addition to my growing resentment toward Alexander, I had deliberately chosen to hide away, consumed by the shame of my actions. The entire incident had unfolded in front of so many staff members; they would now see me as a violent lunatic.

The thought of facing them again, knowing they would never look at me the same way, shattered me.

My heart ached, and my anger toward Alexander only deepened. He was the catalyst for this entire misunderstanding, the reason it had spiraled so out of control.

What would become of my life now that everyone had witnessed my explosive outburst? The mere idea of Alexander sent fresh waves of pain through my chest.

While the anger simmered within me, much of the rage had dissipated, leaving me feeling weary and drained. A relentless headache throbbed at my temples, and my sleep had become a distant memory. I was trapped in a cycle of mortification and nightmares, a state of constant disarray that left me feeling disoriented and vulnerable.

I stood rooted in front of Alexander, too exhausted to flee. What surprised me most about our encounter was that he was actually apologizing to me.

Hearing him take responsibility for his actions sent a tidal wave of guilt crashing over me, leaving me trembling.

“How could you do that to me?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “How could you make me feel so wretched about myself when I hadn’t done anything wrong?”

“I understand now, believe me,” he replied, his voice heavy with regret.

I could feel the hollowness in my own voice as I admitted, “I don’t think I can forgive you.”

The hurt in his eyes was palpable. “When I saw you with Michael, my first reaction was confusion, not anger. I couldn’t comprehend why he was there. I know Michael had seen me before, and Evelyn, the look on his face was monstrous.”

My brows knitted together in confusion. I couldn’t recall seeing anything unusual about Michael; my focus had been solely on Alexander.

“I lost my temper, I admit it,” he confessed, shame etched across his features. “I shouldn’t have taken my anger out on you. Unfortunately, I believed you had intentionally sought him out.”

My heart raced. “It shouldn’t be that shocking for you.” His incredulous expression only deepened. “You were with Rena… She’s twice as stunning and far more accomplished than—”

Alexander interrupted, shaking his head firmly. “Stop.”

“Knowing you were once with her… How could anyone compete with that?” I pressed, my insecurities bubbling to the surface.

“There was never a competition,” he insisted. “Yes, Rena is beautiful, but let me tell you what else she is—self-entitled. The only real talent she ever had was climbing the social ladder. She never possessed even half the intelligence you have or the compassion you show to others.”

“Then tell me the real reason you exploded at me in the market,” I challenged, aware that I was placing him in a vulnerable position, forcing him to be transparent—something he typically avoided.

“I didn’t like seeing you with him. But after some serious reflection, I realized I wouldn’t have felt any better if it had been with someone else,” he confessed, his voice heavy with emotion.

“Are you admitting you were jealous?”

“Jealous and terrified at the thought of losing you to someone else,” he admitted, his vulnerability laid bare.

“I am not Rena,” I said, wrapping my arms around myself protectively. “I would never do to you what she did. I have cared for you and longed to grow closer to you, but now I find myself utterly lost on how to navigate all of this.”

Oh, how I wished for the ache in my heart to subside. I craved rest—real, restorative rest. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to leave the kitchen, fearing I might never again witness this side of Alexander.

“Like I said before, I’m not asking for your forgiveness. But could we perhaps start anew?” he asked, his voice laced with hope.