The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 94

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
By Sophia Reed

**Chapter 94: Medical History**

[Evelyn’s POV]

As the car rolled to a stop in front of the house, I felt a surge of anxiety wash over me. Wendy, ever the attentive friend, had taken the time to ensure I looked somewhat presentable for this visit. Yet, as I stepped out, I quickly realized that the warm welcome I had hoped for was nowhere in sight. Unlike my last visit, when I had been met with silence and indifference, this time it was only the staff who greeted me at the door.

But then I spotted Leonard and Isabella standing there, flanked by the household personnel. A knot tightened in my stomach. A sense of foreboding settled over me like a heavy fog.

Oh God. What if Edward’s health had taken a turn for the worse? What if they were all gathered here to deliver the devastating news I dreaded? My heart raced, and my ears buzzed with the rush of blood, making the world around me feel distant and surreal. Lightheadedness threatened to pull me under.

Wendy, sensing my distress, placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. She had an uncanny ability to read my emotions, and I could tell she was trying to calm the storm brewing within me.

“Don’t panic,” she said softly, her voice steady and soothing. “This is just a customary greeting for Alphas and Lunas from other packs.”

I shook my head slowly, doubt gnawing at my insides.

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” I replied, my voice laced with skepticism. “My family doesn’t really do ‘customary’. In fact, they didn’t even bother to greet me the last time I came.”

Wendy raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of concern and judgment. “Unfortunately, I can see why. With someone like Isabella as your stepmother, it’s hardly surprising. She reminds me of Caroline, though perhaps a little less venomous.”

As we stepped out of the car, I noticed my father’s interest seemed to evaporate the moment he laid eyes on me. It was clear he had been expecting Alexander, not his substitute.

“Evelyn,” he said, his tone flat, revealing his disappointment.

“How lovely of you to grace us with your presence,” Isabella chimed in, her voice smooth, but laced with a hint of condescension.

I fought back the urge to sneer at her. “Oh, I assure you, I’m not here for you,” I shot back, my words sharp and deliberate.

Leonard attempted to intervene, his voice strained. “Now, Evelyn—”

But I cut him off, urgency propelling my words. “I’ve been informed that my brother’s health has rapidly declined, and I’m here to find out why. But first, I must introduce you to Alexander’s grandmother, Wendy Kingston.”

They all nodded respectfully, and I could see my father’s demeanor shift slightly, as if the mention of Wendy had sparked a flicker of interest. To my surprise, he stepped forward and extended a hand to her.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Kingston. I trust your grandson is doing well?”

With her inscrutable expression, Wendy took his hand firmly. “Mr. Silverwood, I’ve heard quite a few intriguing things about you and your family since your daughter joined our pack,” she replied coolly. “As for my grandson, Alexander is currently away on business, which explains my presence here today.”

I could almost feel the weight lift from my shoulders as I witnessed the impact of her words. My father looked as if he had aged five years, while Isabella’s face twisted into a grimace, as if she had bitten into something sour.

Wendy remained composed, her demeanor unshaken by the tension swirling around us.

Once inside the house, I made it clear that my primary focus was Edward’s room. Yet, Isabella was quick to interject, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

“You should join us for tea in the drawing room,” she suggested, her tone insistent.

“No,” I replied, my voice firm. “I’m not here for pleasantries. My brother is ill, and I can’t understand why. The last time I saw him, he was perfectly fine.”

In fact, he had been more than fine—his medical charts had indicated he was on the verge of a near-full recovery. I had even dared to hope he might wake up soon.

Isabella’s frustration was palpable; she was desperate to keep me close, her lips pressed together in a thin line, yearning to unleash her usual barbs. But Wendy’s presence seemed to restrain her, keeping her in check.

Wendy couldn’t fathom how Evelyn had managed to endure such a toxic household for nearly her entire life while she could hardly withstand twenty minutes of their company.

From what she observed, Leonard seemed solely focused on Alexander and his business ventures, while Isabella continuously redirected conversations to her daughter, Samantha, or boasted about her own pregnancy.

When Wendy could no longer tolerate the atmosphere, she asked one of the staff to guide her to Edward’s room. She knocked gently before entering, her gaze sweeping the room until it landed on Evelyn, who was buried under a mountain of papers and binders.

“Jesus Christ,” she muttered under her breath, taken aback by the sight.

Evelyn appeared utterly frazzled. Her clothes were in disarray, and her hair was a chaotic mess, reflecting her inner turmoil.

“Evelyn, dear,” Wendy said softly, lowering herself to the floor beside the pile of papers.

Evelyn was mumbling to herself, her voice a low murmur, lost in a whirlwind of despair.

“There’s got to be something… It just doesn’t add up… What is it?”

“Evelyn, please. You need to stop,” Wendy urged gently, her heart aching for the girl.

Evelyn looked up, her eyes red and puffy, evidence of the tears she had shed.

“I can’t stop.”

“Yes, you can,” Wendy reassured her. “For the sake of your brother, you must. Give yourself a break. The reason you can’t see the problem is that you’re searching too hard for it. Come on.”

With a gentle nudge, she encouraged Evelyn to stand and take a moment outside. Reluctantly, Evelyn allowed herself to be led away, casting one last hopeful glance back at her brother.