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

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

each of her words echoing cruelly between

weariness, a self-mocking smile curving bitterly on

had the strength-or even

had taken root, spreading through their

fighting to bridge the chasm

deeper into pain and resentment. He should have known

for reconciliation was torture-pointless

matter how deeply

the villain, never believing, never

disagreement ignited into

cycle had broken

was time to surrender to let go.

the realization

was time he finally gave

Is that all you've got to say?" Sophia's voice trembled with raw betrayal, her words cutting through the air like

you turn into such a mess? Do you enjoy tearing this family apart piece by pièce? Do you thrive on driving us

low and bitter, the sound of

too proud to yield.

You've just never trusted me-not then,

in talking if my words mean nothing to

paused, the silence between them

stop pretending there's anything left to salvage between us. I'll find a way

click of disconnection - a clean

her

they ever go back to who they were

No.

had already given her

It was impossible.

truth tore through her chest like a wild

ending it like this? Are we just strangers now? Say something -damn you,

Only the hollow, mechanical hum of a call that would never

heart aching with unbearable

they ever find peace? Why did every exchange have

you," Jack sneered venomously, seizing the moment with relish. "Alex isn't even human. Now you've finally seen

stop groveling," Florence spat bitterly from her bed. "He's a lost cause.

Mom," Sophia snapped, overwhelmed. "Just focus on healing, okay? I'll figure something

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

was never about you? You're after the root for

Florence nodded weakly. "Exactly."

with it?" Sophia demanded sharply, suspicion

her voice.

the bruise

— some

me get the root? Charles is offering