The Almighty Dominance

"I learned my lesson the hard way," Sofina said with a faint, defiant smile. "Heinrich wasn't smart enough to see what was coming. He just kept taking the insults, pretending silence was strength."

Alex glanced up. "From what I've seen, your mother and stepfather were born bullies. What happened to him?"

She shrugged, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "He broke. Couldn't take the pressure anymore. He begged me to help him, and we ended up out of this house for two whole years."

"But Alex, looking at how you walked in today, I'd say there's a sixty percent chance my mother and her husband will be the ones packing their bags this time.”

"Well, when they go low, we go high." Alex smirked as he straightened the bed sheets. "I'm not out to kick anyone out of their own home. I just want peace. All I'm doing is sending a message: don't push me, don't mock me, and nothing bad will happen. But if they try-believe me-they'll regret it."

Sofina chuckled. "You've never been bullied before, have you?"

"Once," Alex said quietly. His eyes drifted, lost in memory. "And I swore it'd never happen again. In every man sleeps a beast."

"Alex," Sofina called from her bed across the room. The twin beds sat three meters apart-her mother's idea, a deliberate distance to keep them from getting too close.

"My grandmother wants me to go back to work for the Wolfsbane family business," she said softly. "Would you come with me?"

"No," he replied. "You've already got Eve to help you. As for me, this is my first real taste of freedom from Rosenheim. I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts. Find a job that's mine, something I actually want to do."

She smiled and hugged Eve gently. "You're smart, Alex. You built Eve-people would pay a fortune to have you."

He let out a dry laugh. "Life's not that simple. I'm half Prussian-an immigrant. People judge me before I open my mouth. The high-tier jobs go to pureblood nobles."

“The rest of us pick up the scraps. But don't worry, I'll manage. I'll find something steady enough to feed us both. You won't have to lift a finger. Just... enjoy your life."

"Alex, I'll try to find a noble who can grant you citizenship," Sofina said softly. "Once you have it, you can start earning your own money."

Alex shook his head. "Don't worry about that. My father's friend already offered to help. But since he's the one who gave me the penthouse, that deal already covered his debt to my family."

"He's done enough. If I ask for more, it could put him at odds with the

Rosenheims, and he's a decent man. I won't do that to him. I'll find my own way, Sofina. I'll handle my own problems."

"So independent," she said with a half-smile. “Like a real man should be. Still, you can ask me for anything. I'll help if I can."

Alex turned to her suddenly. "Actually, there's something you can do for me." Her eyes lit up. "What is it?"

He lifted his bracelet, activating a three-dimensional screen that shimmered in the air. With a few quick taps, data flickered across the light. A moment later, Sofina's device chimed softly.

"You... transferred me money?" Her voice trembled in disbelief. Three years with Heinrich, and not once had she

but it's everything the Saint-Claire family has left. My father gave it to me years

been frozen. I can't touch it. So I moved it to you instead. You can use

stared at the screen, stunned. "Alex...

calmly. "It's all that Logan managed to save when he fled during the tragedy.

"You can't just give me all your money. What if I took it and left you? What if I divorced you? You need to keep it for yourself, for when you get your citizenship

to leave, then that's your choice. But until

I'll face it when it comes. I won't doubt you, Sofina. Doubt creates problems that don't

him, her voice quieter. "You'll never regret

let fate play its

a soft laugh. "You're impossible. At least tell me if you want something. I'll buy

Alex said with a grin. "Then I need a few things. A couple of good dresses for my wife, jewelry for that bare neck and those lonely fingers,

a

over, and wrapped her arms around him from behind. Her cheeks flushed red as she whispered,

turned and pulled her close, his voice low and

like you as my wife... that's not luck—it's

room. Sofina's eyes stung, tears

years where she gave everything, loved with all she had, and got nothing in return. But with Alex, was different. She didn't have to chase or beg for love. It was simply

time, life

she murmured, "you sound so certain

fools and gamblers," he

which one are you?" she

who bets like

faintly. "You really think love's worth gambling

Alex said, calm and sure. "It's only stupid if

do?" she asked

with a tired grin. "Then I'll bluff my

"You're impossible." She leaned in and wrapped

holding her close. His breathing

meant giving

could. And even if betrayal came, a man still

next morning Alex woke before dawn and set about making breakfast

quiet purpose, flipping eggs and warming

on her

answered, without