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?"

the doctor," Alex said

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

"I'm

away, refusing to give the

a chair. "Boring. Father, why

come back. You've wasted decades waiting

José roared from the kitchen. His voice cracked with

breaking your mother's

you want to see Maria so badly, why don't you just die

José's eyes glisten with

chest tightened. She couldn't hold

you speak to your

darkly. "And who the hell are

came here with Doctor Alex to help your parents,"

mouth shut

over her, slow and calculating. His sneer twisted into

for this doctor? I'll pay you ten times more. Follow me, and we'll have fun all day

if to touch Josephine in a way no decent man should. But before he could, she

William's

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

William's face twisted red.

than me?" He lunged at

stepped forward, his old voice carrying

gaze lingered on Josephine, dripping with both anger

you try to hurt her," José warned, standing between them, "you'll get nothing from

threw up his

this. I'm heading out with friends later. Just

dollars last month," José said,

a business,"

failed, so I shut it

you another

barked, his voice trembling with

wicked grin spreading

You're going to die soon anyway. What

you?" he sneered, each

money is none of your concern,"

I know what this is." William's laugh was

Maria, your precious fost daughter. Pathetic. She's gone, dead! You should

I'm your

the only one left to

"Shut your mouth. You're

and bellowed mockingly. "Mother!

me!"

of this," José snapped.

you think I'd ever set foot in this dump if it

pulled out his phone. "I've transferred a hundred thousand

old man?

don't have the party," José shot

forward, fist cocked, his shadow

want me

you learn

enoun