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.

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

The last farewell.

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

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

long will you be gone?"

already knew the answer she didn't want to

don't know. Just following where the work takes

eyes glistened. "You can't..."

cut in

through the courtyard

children.

realizing he'd gone too

a smile, "since Alex is leaving so far away... we should prepare a

fought to steady her 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

She'd chosen hers, and he had

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

pain, a

quick,” Charles

but uncertain. "Please wait here. There's something

Josephine out with a

passed. The air

his boots crunching

was enough. Trouble was walking straight toward

said,

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

He extended his hand.

warily, then nodded. "Sure," he said, extending his hand. Charles reached out-but in a flash, his other hand came up,

slammed into Alex's

the Guise will and the Paris's state! It's all

it. The thought of losing the Guise's will and

had to kill Alex to claim the Guise inheritance for himself-before Alex was

nothing happened. The knife didn't sink deep. It

stone.

trembled in his grip, the blade

doing, Charles?" His voice was low,

growled, pressing harder, veins bulging, teeth clenched. “Why won't you

The steel bent slightly against his chest. His body felt unmovable-like

caught Charles's wrist, gripping it tight.

twisted the man's arm and knife

blade turned, inch by

weren't supposed to try

me,"

said quietly, his

steady. "I already forgave you. But now time for you to

belongs to s

on the knife

chest.

eyes wide in disbelief. His body

blade driving through flesh, inch

heart.