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

The last farewell.

know you were here! Where have you been these last few days? How's Los Angeles

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

"How long will you be gone?" she asked

already knew the answer

said. "I don't know. Just following where

glistened. "You can't..." she

she could say more, Charles cut

courtyard

turned. Ruth. Josephine. The children. All eyes locked on

gone too far. His face

forcing a smile, "since Alex is leaving so

fought to steady her voice, forcing a faint smile. "You're right, Charles. That's a good idea," she said softly. "We should give Alex something

into Alex like a thorn pressed deep under the skin. He felt the sting, but he swallowed it down.

roads had split. She'd chosen hers, and he had to walk his own. Somewhere far away, beyond

out a long breath and smiled the quiet, tired smile of a man who's already made peace with the pain. The kind a man

pain, a formal

quick,”

wait here. There's something I want to give you. Ruth, could you

Ruth sighed, following Josephine out with a

air felt heavy,

boots crunching over

him-one look was enough.

said, stepping

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

He extended his hand.

his hand. Charles reached out-but in a

blade slammed into Alex's

inherit the Guise will

thought of losing the Guise's will and the Paris's

the

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

stone.

wide. The handle trembled in his grip, the blade

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

harder, veins bulging, teeth clenched. “Why won't you die?! This isn't

slightly against his

hand shot up. He caught Charles's

twisted the man's arm

the blade turned, inch by

supposed to try to

me,"

quietly, his

"I already forgave you. But now time for

belongs to s

grip on the knife and slowly pushed it deeper into

chest.

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

flesh, inch

heart.