The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 380

The night grew heavy. Shadows stretched long across the small house as Alex sat quietly by the crackling fireplace, the flames painting his face in flickering gold.

Across from him, old José sat hunched in his worn wooden chair.

Neither spoke. The only sound was the faint crackle of the flames.

Josephine stepped softly from the back room, her voice gentle.

"Lucia's asleep." She moved closer and sat down beside Alex, the glow of the fire warming her face.

For a long moment, silence hung over them.

Then José stirred suddenly, rising to his feet. "How could I forget? I haven't served you a drink."

"I'll help," Josephine said quickly, springing up before he could refuse.

He glanced at her, sighing as though carrying the weight of unspoken words.

"You... ah, never mind." Shaking his head, he pointed her toward the tea.

José lowered himself back into the chair, his tired eyes watching Josephine prepare the tea.

Something in them shimmered-age, memory, sorrow. The shine of unshed tears.

Josephine returned with three cups, setting them down gently.

"Josephine," José asked suddenly, "do you have a family?"

She paused, the question touching a hidden ache. "I'm an orphan. I never had a real family, but... I had a mother. The woman who ran the orphanage. She raised me as her own."

José leaned in, questioning her again and again, as if he longed to gather every piece of her story.

Then he turned sharply toward Alex.

"Alex! Look at me. I've been so caught up in talking, I forgot to ask-have you eaten? Wait here. I'll make something.”

He hurried into the kitchen, his frail hands still steady with purpose.

"Grandpa," Josephine called, rushing after him, "let me help."

José gave her a grateful nod, and together they began preparing a simple dinner.

But before the warmth of the kitchen could settle, screeching tires shattered the quiet.

A car skidded to a stop outside. Moments later, the door slammed open with a thunderous bang.

A man stormed inside, his voice a whip crack.

"Father! How many times have I told you? Get out of this broken-down shack! My girlfriend is ashamed every time I bring her here!"

"Then don't bring them here," José answered calmly from the kitchen. "We're not leaving this house."

The man's eyes swept the room until they landed on Alex. "And who the hell are you? Who let you in?"

Alex turned to face him. The man was dressed in a sharp business suit, mid- thirties, his face twisted with contempt.

"I'm talking to you! Are you mute?"

doctor," Alex

"A doctor? Why don't you just let them die, and I'll pay you ten

voice was cold. "I'm

turned away, refusing to give

a chair. "Boring. Father, why won't you listen? This stinking house isn't worth rotting

come back. You've wasted decades waiting for

mouth, William!" José roared from the kitchen. His voice cracked

your

leaned forward, sneering. "I'm waking you up from your delusion. If you want to see Maria so badly, why don't you just die

eyes glisten

chest tightened. She couldn't hold back-she stepped forward,

speak to your father

"And

came here with Doctor Alex to help

mouth shut about death. It's

over her, slow and calculating. His sneer

about you quit working for this doctor? I'll pay you ten times more. Follow

But before he could, she

William's eyes

for your filthy mouth," Josephine spat, her voice trembling with rage,

William's face twisted red.

than me?" He lunged

William." José stepped forward, his old voice carrying surprising steel. "What

Josephine, dripping with

try to hurt her," José warned, standing between

threw up his

I don't have time for this. I'm heading out with friends later.

gave you a million dollars last month,"

started a

failed, so I shut

I won't give you another cent if you waste

barked, his voice trembling

wicked grin spreading

old man. You're going to

you?" he sneered, each word

none of your concern," José

this is." William's laugh

hoarding it for Maria, your precious fost daughter. Pathetic. She's gone,

I'm your

one left to take

your mouth.

eyes and bellowed mockingly. "Mother!

me!"

your mother out of this," José snapped. "She needs

hand me the damn money. Do you think I'd ever set foot in

He pulled out his phone.

mocking me, old man? A hundred thousand? That won't even

don't have the party,"

exploded in William's face. He charged forward, fist cocked, his shadow looming

you want me to

you learn

enoun