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

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

"I'm a

refusing to give the

dropping into a chair. "Boring. Father, why

never come back. You've

mouth, William!" José roared from the

breaking your mother's

want to see Maria so badly, why

saw José's eyes

She couldn't hold

to your

stood, frowning darkly. "And who the hell are

here with Doctor Alex to help your

your filthy mouth shut about death. It's

her, slow and calculating. His sneer twisted

quit working for this doctor? I'll pay you

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

William's eyes

voice trembling with rage, "for

William's face twisted red.

better than me?"

forward, his old voice carrying surprising

lingered on Josephine, dripping with

try to hurt her," José warned, standing between them, "you'll

snarled, then threw up

friends later.

you a million dollars

a

so I shut

can't keep doing this! I won't give you another cent if you waste it all

his voice trembling

a wicked grin

You're going to die soon anyway. What good's

to you?" he sneered, each word

money is none of

know what this is." William's

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

I'm your

only one left to take

your mouth.

and bellowed mockingly. "Mother! Mother,

me!"

of this," José snapped. "She

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

heavy and defeated. He pulled out his phone. "I've transferred

glare could have cut glass. "Are you mocking me, old man? A

don't have the party," José

charged forward, fist cocked, his shadow looming

you want me

you learn

enoun