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.

purred, stepping closer, "have you

phone buzzed insistently. She glanced at it, clearly annoyed, and

get

locked onto his. "I

pointed again

irritation, Lyra grabbed the

listened, finally

My father needs me. Looks like

a shame. I was just about to say

Lyra laughed, her eyes

trust me, Alex-you'll fall for me, just like you fell for Sophia.

seriously. "You better go see what

winked confidently. "Don't mention

watched bitterly as Sophia disappeared

Laura repeatedly but received no answer. Frowning, he checked his phone,

lords had been arrested by the military, accused of corruption and causing

muttered darkly, then suddenly

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

smartwatch, scrolling through countless pictures of

His obsession flared dangerously.

fiercely. "You'll

Sophia tangled in sheets, exhausted

her, the news of Laura and the other Chicago leaders' capture replaying

been right all along-how could she

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

things right. Next

Florence burst through her bedroom door, panic etched deeply into her

gasped, her eyes

to her feet. "What happened?

James!" Florence struggled for breath. "He got drunk last night and—and killed someone.

stunned. "James? Kill someone? He can't even slaughter a chicken! How

details," Florence urged, her voice trembling. "We need

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

Florence entered the stark

Sophia!" James cried out, his face streaked with

fury. Without hesitation, she stormed forward and

you get drunk, mess around with prostitutes, and

quickly stepped in, her voice trembling with anxiety. "Enough, Sophia. Let

don't know exactly what happened," James sobbed,

fooled around, and then everything went

Sophia's voice dripped with disgust. "Do