The Almighty Dominance

Chapter 430

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

The last farewell.

were here! Where

from his coat. "Hey, Josephine. I came to say goodbye. I'm leaving for another place. The

long will you be gone?" she

a tremor in her voice. She already knew

Alex said. "I don't know. Just

"You

Charles cut in sharply. "You cannot!" His

through the courtyard like a

children. All eyes locked on

he'd gone

"since Alex is leaving so

That's a good

He felt the sting, but

She'd chosen hers, and he had

of a man who's already made peace

a

something real quick,” Charles

added. She looked at Alex, eyes soft but uncertain. "Please wait here. There's something I want to give you. Ruth, could

following Josephine out with a

few quiet minutes passed. The air felt heavy, almost

boots crunching

studied him-one look was enough. Trouble

Charles said, stepping

made a lot of mistakes. I've been thinking these past few days. My parents

He extended his hand.

he said, extending his hand. Charles reached out-but in a flash, his other hand

blade slammed

madness. "I'll inherit the Guise will and the Paris's

about to leave for good, Charles couldn't stand it. The thought

had to kill Alex to claim the Guise inheritance for

knife didn't sink deep. It stopped

stone.

wide. The handle trembled in his

down, almost calm. "What the hell are you doing, Charles?" His

veins bulging, teeth clenched. “Why won't

steel bent slightly against his chest. His body felt

Alex's hand shot up. He caught

twisted the man's arm and knife back toward

eyes bulging as the blade turned,

weren't supposed to

me,"

said quietly, his voice

already forgave you. But now time for you to leave this

belongs to s

knife and slowly

chest.

wide in disbelief. His body

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

heart.

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