The Almighty Dominance

"Goddammit, Alex! What kind of monster have you become?" Sophia's voice trembled violently, each word cracking like lightning through a storm.

"Ever since Jasmine slithered into your life, you've turned into someone I don't even recognize."

"Was it really worth it-denying them even a sliver of that damned root? Would it have cost you an arm or a leg?"

"Tell me, what's your price? A million bucks? Two million? Just name it! I'll sell my soul if I have to—-but stop hurting my mother and brother!"

Her rage boiled hotter with every word, her fists shaking uncontrollably, knuckles white and eyes blazing.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Alex?!" she exploded, tears of fury beginning to well in her eyes.

"Have you completely lost your goddamned heart?!"

Alex stood unmoved, his face cold and detached as stone. "You really think this is about money? Let me spell it out for you, Sophia-the root isn't mine to give."

Sophia felt her chest clench painfully, fury slicing deeper at his indifferent tone. "Oh, of course. Did you give it all to Jasmine? Is that it?"

"So now your loyalty to her runs so deep that you'd rather watch my family suffer and die than take even a scrap from your precious Jasmine? You absolute bastard!"

"Could you calm down for one damn second?" Alex's jaw clenched, frustration seeping through his carefully maintained composure.

"Can't we just talk rationally?"

"Rationally?" Sophia scoffed bitterly, a mocking laugh ripping from her throat.

"Am I the irrational one? Or are you just a heartless coward who's bored of his old toy and eager to impress the shiny new one?"

"Am I really worth so little to you? Not even worth a single piece of some damned herb?"

Her voice cracked, and she gasped as if a knife twisted deeper into her heart. Jasmine's name burned in her mouth, acid and betrayal mingling in every syllable. Alex rubbed his temples, taking a sharp breath.

"Look, Sophia, if this is why you dragged me here—to fight about the same tired accusations—then we have nothing left to discuss."

Sophia's eyes flared dangerously. "Fine! Forget the root-let's talk about Clara. Did you frame her for that arrest?"

"I warned Clara," Alex said evenly, eyes narrowing.

"I begged her to back off, but she insisted on digging her own grave. Would you honestly believe me if I said I had nothing to do with it?"

Sophia's voice rose to a furious roar.

"Believe you? Charles saw everything. He said you pinned false charges on her- used your goddamn badge to lock her away."

"How could you be so vindictive, so utterly cruel, over something so small? She's family, Alex—my aunt! Do you have any idea how twisted and sick you sound?!"

Alex felt his own anger rise, his voice now edged with biting sarcasm. "And you'd rather trust Charles? Really? Am I just some petty, narrow-minded monster in your eyes?"

Sophia spat the words venomously. "Why wouldn't I believe him? He's never stabbed me in the back, unlike you!"

Alex laughed bitterly, the sound harsh and jagged. "What if I told you Charles set Clara up himself? Would you even listen?"

screamed, cutting him off

poison! You've lied, betrayed, and hurt everyone around you-why the hell should

heavily, each of her

weariness, a self-mocking smile curving bitterly on his

longer had the strength-or even the desire

of distrust she'd sown had taken root, spreading through their

hard, fighting to

attempt seemed to drag them deeper into

reconciliation was torture-pointless

what he did, no matter how deeply he bared his soul, she'd always

villain, never

disagreement ignited into

endless cycle had

It was time to surrender

the realization twisted

time he

trembled with raw betrayal, her words cutting through the

a mess? Do you enjoy tearing this

the

too proud to yield.

You've just never trusted

if my words mean

between them

between us. I'll find a way

came the sharp click of disconnection

at the phone in her

ever go back to who they were

No.

given

It was impossible.

tore through her chest like a wild animal.

we just strangers now? Say something -damn you,

no voice on the other end. Only the

heart

couldn't they ever find peace? Why did every exchange have to leave deep,

sneered venomously, seizing the moment with relish. "Alex isn't

Florence spat bitterly from her bed. "He's

snapped, overwhelmed. "Just focus on healing, okay? I'll

sharpened abruptly. "Charles can help Clara, Sophia. But he

flared, eyes narrowing dangerously. "Wait-so this was never

Florence nodded weakly. "Exactly."

want with it?" Sophia demanded

her voice.

gently rubbing the

no idea what it is — some pharmaceutical

root? Charles