The Almighty Dominance

Sophia stared across the road at Alex and Lyra, her heart sinking.

One was her closest friend, and the other was the man who once gave her everything.

But back then, none of that mattered.

Now, when she was finally ready to give him her heart, all that awaited her was pain.

"Well," Gilbert whispered suddenly from behind her, his voice dripping with mockery, "don't you think they make a lovely couple, Sophia?"

She sighed, exhaustion filling her voice. "Gilbert, do you really think we'd make a good couple?"

"What?" Gilbert sneered. "Are you having second thoughts after everything Laura did for you?"

Sophia bit her lip, anger and regret twisting inside her. "Maybe Alex was right. Maybe neither you nor Laura ever truly helped him. Which means I don't owe either of you anything."

"You owe me, Sophia," Gilbert growled, his voice dropping dangerously low

"Laura helped free him. Now it's your turn to repay me or trust me, you'll regret crossing me!"

Sophia steadied her breath, meeting his cold gaze head-on.

"Give me time, Gilbert. I refuse to rush into another disaster. I've learned enough from my mistakes."

"Believe me," Gilbert replied sharply, eyes narrowing, "so have I."

"Fine," Sophia said firmly.

"Give me 24 hours. If either you or Laura genuinely helped Alex, I'll marry you. But if you lied, our deal is off."

As she turned away, Gilbert snatched at her wrist, gripping it tightly.

Sophia wrenched her hand free, glaring defiantly. "Let go!" she snapped.

With tears burning in her eyes, Sophia stormed off, haunted by the thought that every choice she'd ever made in love or haste had led only to disaster.

She no longer knew what to believe or do.

Meanwhile, Alex stared at Lyra, stunned. "What was that kiss for?"

Lyra flashed him a mischievous grin, her eyes sparkling. "Well, I just saved your life. Don't you think that earns me a little reward?"

Alex chuckled softly, eyes lingering on her face. "Fair enough."

She was beautiful, no less captivating than Sophia, and he felt his pulse quicken

in her presence—perhaps from attraction, perhaps from something deeper.

Lyra purred, stepping closer, "have you thought about my offer the

Alex could respond, Lyra's phone buzzed insistently. She glanced at it, clearly annoyed, and

get

Lyra insisted, gaze locked onto his.

pointed again to

irritation,

listened,

father needs me. Looks like our

teasing, "That's a shame. I

laughed, her eyes playful

Alex-you'll fall for me, just like

what your father wants.

winked confidently.

Gilbert watched bitterly as Sophia disappeared

he checked his phone, only to freeze at the headline flashing across his

the military, accused of corruption and causing misery to the city's

actually save Alex," Gilbert muttered darkly, then suddenly a sinister

weakness-your willingness to sacrifice yourself for those you care about. That's enough ammunition for

his smartwatch, scrolling through countless pictures of Sophia since her first public

His obsession flared dangerously.

"You'll never escape from

morning sun found Sophia tangled in sheets, exhausted but wide

the news of Laura and the other Chicago leaders' capture replaying endlessly in

had been right all along-how could she have

inside her, sharp and relentless. Still, she knew it wasn't

could still apologize to Alex and make things right.

burst through her bedroom door, panic etched

terrible!" Florence gasped, her eyes wide with

to her feet.

Florence struggled for breath. "He got drunk last night and—and killed someone. The police have arrested

stunned. "James? Kill someone? He can't

details," Florence urged, her

car, her hands shaking on the steering wheel as she drove

entered the stark interrogation room.

his face streaked with tears.

blazed with fury. Without hesitation, she stormed forward and hit

fool! How dare you get drunk, mess

with anxiety. "Enough, Sophia. Let

what happened,"

with friends, then a woman approached me. We fooled around, and then everything went dark When I woke up, there was blood everywhere.

Sophia's voice dripped with disgust. "Do you realize how