The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 314

After the fierce chaos of the battle subsided, Alex returned to the clinic just as

midnight's shadows stretched across the small building, yet its lights blazed like a beacon against the dark.

Pushing through the door, Alex caught sight of Sophia Lancaster.

For once, her usual icy demeanor melted into warm laughter as she chatted comfortably with Josephine.

It was an odd sight, unsettling yet fascinating.

Josephine noticed him first and rose swiftly, her face lighting up warmly. "Alex, you're back! Let me fix you some supper-"

"Thanks, but I already ate," Alex replied with a faint smile.

His gaze shifted cautiously toward Sophia, his stance immediately guarded as if expecting an ambush.

Sophia caught the sudden change in his expression and frowned deeply.

"Why the cold stare, Alex? You're warm as sunshine when you look at Josephine, but with me, you act like I'm about to bite. That actually stings."

Alex stared at her, utterly confused.

Had she hit her head? This woman, who usually glared at him with suspicion, accused him at every turn, and radiated distrust, was now acting hurt by his cautiousness.

"Seriously, Sophia, what brings you here?"

"To say thank you," Sophia stated simply, a small, genuine smile gracing her lips -something he'd rarely seen.

"You saved me from Charles. Without you stepping in yesterday, my life would be ruined. Turns out that charming facade hid a disgusting liar."

"Is that right?" Alex countered skeptically, bitterness edging into his voice.

"I'm sure your family is busy spreading stories about how I tried to assault you, and brave Charles was your hero."

Sophia's eyes flickered with frustration, her voice tinged with vulnerability.

"Maybe it's finally time I stopped swallowing everything my family feeds me without question. Maybe I'm tired of blindly following their rules just because they're older and supposedly wiser."

"That would certainly be a first," Alex said quietly, his defensive posture softening ever so slightly.

"Maybe I'm finally brave enough to trust my own instincts," Sophia murmured, her cheeks flushing a delicate shade of red.

"Aren't you even slightly impressed?"

Alex hesitated, struggling to read the sincerity in her eyes.

"It's your life, Sophia. If breaking free makes you happy, then good for you."

Her expression fell slightly.

expected

pressed forward anyway, her voice tense yet earnest. "Alex,

snapped immediately, irritation and disbelief sharp

believe in you." Sophia's shoulders relaxed visibly, and she smiled softly

That wasn't so hard, was it? We just made a real connection. Progress. And don't look at me

muttered dryly, unsure how to respond to this

shining through her eyes. "Truly, from the bottom of my

indifferent. "I'd have

was

fragile thing, easily

immediately. Her voice dropped to

Listen, I know my mother acted horribly. It was a total misunderstanding. No, many misunderstandings—but all

at

fresh and deep. But beneath her proud, defiant

see," Alex finally said, his tone cautious

only the

hoped the apology might spark something fresh, something genuine this

once, and now, looking closely at him, she realized

that rough, magnetic charm that

forget how

hard for him.

at her, eyes narrowing

stubborn, and immovable. Changing? It

fire turn

love could change everything, he'd punch them in

believe in the fantasy-a life together, filled with peace and

But another voice-sharper,

in his head, "Open your heart again, and you're just handing her another dagger.Haven't you learned

.U

felt too thin, too late, barely scratching the surface of years of emotional

this mean

exhaled slowly, forcing a casual

isn't new for me. If that's all you've got, you

well head home.

you, deeply. And I swear-I promise-it'll never happen again." Sophia knew mere words couldn't mend the damage she'd done,

blurted, her cheeks burning red but her

his expression. "Where did that come from? That's not

was shattered and

twisted game was

took a deep breath, eyes unwavering.

instantly, every muscle