The Almighty Dominance

Ruth sat behind her desk, hunched over a stack of numbers. Her pen scratched across the page as she tallied the last line. A soft knock broke the quiet.

"Come in," she said, rubbing her eyes with two fingers.

"You look busy, Ruth," a familiar voice said. "Ever think about hiring someone to help you?"

Her head snapped up. "Alex?"

He stepped through the doorway, grinning.

"Alexander!" she cried. Her face lit up like sunrise. She pushed back her chair and wrapped him in a warm hug. "I've been waiting for you. Feels like forever."

"How've you been?" he asked, pulling back with a smile.

"See for yourself," she said, gesturing around the office.

"The new place for the children-perfect. Everything turned out better than I dreamed. Thanks to the loan you helped us get, we made it happen. The kids are happy, Alex. Really happy."

"Good to hear that," he said, patting her shoulder gently.

"Alex, walk with me. You've got to see how much this place has changed. The new orphanage—it's more than I ever imagined."

They walked through the hall together, passing rooms filled with laughter.

Outside, the field was alive with the sound of children playing-bare feet kicking up dust, bright faces turned toward the sun. Joy hung in the air.

Ruth stopped beside him, studying his face. "So, Alex," she said softly, touching his cheek, "you've decided to leave, haven't you?"

He froze. "How did you know that? I haven't told anyone."

She smiled, her eyes calm and knowing. "Son, I'm old enough to see it when someone's about to go. Sit with me for a minute."

They found a wooden bench under the shade of a tree. The children's laughter carried on the breeze.

"Your eyes," Ruth said gently, "they've changed. I see peace there... and letting go. Did Josephine hurt you that much?"

Alex blinked. "Excuse me?" His voice wavered.

"I know you love her," Ruth said. "And I believe Josephine loves you too. But life "she sighed, looking off toward the field— "life has its own cruel plans. She ended up with Charles Kingston."

"Love isn't something you can force," Alex said, eyes fixed on the open blue sky. "The world's wide, Ruth. Half the people out there are women. I'll manage to find someone."

Ruth smiled softly. "Good. That's the right way to think."

Alex's voice dropped. "Is she happy?"

"I don't know." Ruth sighed, her face turning serious. "Charles makes her do whatever he wants, and she does it because she calls it love. Folks say love is blind. I say it's damn foolish sometimes."

Then she glanced toward the gate. "Speak of the devil... there they are."

Alex turned. Charles and Josephine were walking up the path toward the new orphanage gates.

The children spotted Josephine first-they ran to her like bees to honey, laughing, shouting her name, wrapping around her legs.

She bent down, laughing with them, sunlight in her hair, that same warmth that used to melt Alex from the inside out.

He watched her, smiling without meaning to. She looked happy. Maybe that was enough.

heading to Prussia soon-a place few people from this country ever reached. This was

The last farewell.

face bright with surprise. "I didn't know you were here! Where have you

his coat. "Hey, Josephine. I came to say

faltered. "How long will you be gone?" she

was a tremor in her voice. She already knew the

don't know. Just following where the work takes

eyes glistened. "You

could say more, Charles cut in sharply. "You cannot!"

courtyard like

children.

blinked, realizing he'd gone too far. His

is leaving so

voice, forcing a faint smile. "You're right, Charles. That's

like a thorn pressed deep under the skin. He felt the sting, but he swallowed it down. If she was happy-truly happy-then

had

man who's already made peace with the pain. The kind a man

a formal feeling

real quick,” Charles said, turning

uncertain. "Please wait here. There's something I want

Ruth sighed, following Josephine out with a

air felt heavy,

his boots

enough. Trouble was walking straight

Charles said,

mistakes. I've been thinking these past few days. My parents they made mistakes too. I want

He extended his hand.

eyed him warily, then nodded. "Sure," he said, extending his hand. Charles reached

slammed into

with madness. "I'll inherit the

about to leave for good, Charles couldn't stand it. The thought of losing the Guise's will and the Paris's

the Guise inheritance for himself-before Alex was gone

The knife didn't sink deep. It stopped like it

stone.

wide. The handle trembled in his grip,

"What the hell are you doing, Charles?" His voice was low, cold. "Are

bulging, teeth clenched. “Why won't you

didn't flinch. The steel bent slightly against his

up. He caught Charles's wrist, gripping

arm and

eyes bulging as the blade turned, inch

to try

me,"

quietly, his

you. But now time for you to leave this

belongs to s

his grip on the knife and slowly pushed it

chest.

in disbelief. His body trembled under Alex's strength,

feel the blade driving through flesh, inch by inch, until

heart.