The Almighty Dominance

After the fierce chaos of the battle subsided, Alex returned to the clinic just as

midnight's shadows stretched across the small building, yet its lights blazed like a beacon against the dark.

Pushing through the door, Alex caught sight of Sophia Lancaster.

For once, her usual icy demeanor melted into warm laughter as she chatted comfortably with Josephine.

It was an odd sight, unsettling yet fascinating.

Josephine noticed him first and rose swiftly, her face lighting up warmly. "Alex, you're back! Let me fix you some supper-"

"Thanks, but I already ate," Alex replied with a faint smile.

His gaze shifted cautiously toward Sophia, his stance immediately guarded as if expecting an ambush.

Sophia caught the sudden change in his expression and frowned deeply.

"Why the cold stare, Alex? You're warm as sunshine when you look at Josephine, but with me, you act like I'm about to bite. That actually stings."

Alex stared at her, utterly confused.

Had she hit her head? This woman, who usually glared at him with suspicion, accused him at every turn, and radiated distrust, was now acting hurt by his cautiousness.

"Seriously, Sophia, what brings you here?"

"To say thank you," Sophia stated simply, a small, genuine smile gracing her lips -something he'd rarely seen.

"You saved me from Charles. Without you stepping in yesterday, my life would be ruined. Turns out that charming facade hid a disgusting liar."

"Is that right?" Alex countered skeptically, bitterness edging into his voice.

"I'm sure your family is busy spreading stories about how I tried to assault you, and brave Charles was your hero."

Sophia's eyes flickered with frustration, her voice tinged with vulnerability.

"Maybe it's finally time I stopped swallowing everything my family feeds me without question. Maybe I'm tired of blindly following their rules just because they're older and supposedly wiser."

"That would certainly be a first," Alex said quietly, his defensive posture softening ever so slightly.

"Maybe I'm finally brave enough to trust my own instincts," Sophia murmured, her cheeks flushing a delicate shade of red.

"Aren't you even slightly impressed?"

Alex hesitated, struggling to read the sincerity in her eyes.

"It's your life, Sophia. If breaking free makes you happy, then good for you."

Her expression fell slightly.

Clearly, she had expected something warmer from him.

She pressed forward anyway, her voice tense yet earnest. "Alex, tell me honestly did you try to rape me?"

"Jesus, no!" Alex snapped immediately, irritation and disbelief sharp in his tone.

"I believe in you." Sophia's shoulders relaxed visibly, and she smiled softly again, almost triumphantly.

"See? That wasn't so hard, was it? We just made a real connection. Progress. And don't look at me like that—I've learned a thing or two from Al about emotional intelligence."

"Whatever floats your boat," Alex muttered dryly, unsure how to respond to this entirely new version of Sophia.

"Thank you again, Alex," Sophia continued softly, sincerity shining through her eyes. "Truly, from the bottom of my heart."

Alex shrugged, deliberately indifferent. "I'd have done the same for anyone."

His voice was steady, carefully distant.

He had already learned the hard way-the heart was a fragile thing, easily shattered, and he wasn't ready for that pain again.

Sophia noticed his emotional wall immediately. Her voice dropped to a pleading softness.

"Are you still angry? Listen, I know my mother acted horribly. It was a total misunderstanding. No, many misunderstandings—but all of it stemmed from Charles's lies. I'm here to apologize on her behalf. Please, Alex. Forgive us."

Alex stared at her, wrestling internally.noveldrama

Forgiveness wasn't easy, especially when wounds were fresh and deep. But beneath her proud, defiant eyes, he glimpsed genuine regret and newfound resolve.

"We'll see," Alex finally said, his tone cautious yet softer than before.

He offered no promises, only the tentative possibility of trust slowly rebuilt.

Sophia hoped the apology might spark something fresh, something genuine this time.

She'd only ever been intimate with Alex once, and now, looking closely at him, she realized just how damn handsome he truly was.

He wasn't just decent-looking-he had that rough, magnetic charm that could

make a woman forget how to breathe.

No wonder Jasmin Kingston had fallen hard for him. Honestly, how the hell hadn't she seen it coming?

Alex stared at her, eyes narrowing slightly, taken aback.

Sophia Lancaster-proud, stubborn, and immovable. Changing? It felt unreal.

Like watching fire turn to ice.

If anyone dared say love could change everything, he'd punch them in the damn mouth.

A part of him desperately wanted to believe in the fantasy-a life together, filled with peace and passion.

But another voice-sharper,

colder snarled in his head, "Open your heart again, and you're just handing her another dagger.Haven't you learned your lesson, idiot?"

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Yet, her apology felt too thin, too late, barely scratching the surface of years of emotional scars.

"So... does this mean you've forgiven us?"

Alex exhaled slowly, forcing a casual shrug.

"Forget it. Being misunderstood isn't new for me. If that's all you've got, you might

as well head home. It's getting late."

She stepped closer, determination blazing in her eyes. "Alex, listen. I know I've hurt you, deeply. And I swear-I promise-it'll never happen again." Sophia knew mere words couldn't mend the damage she'd done, but it was a start, and she'd risk anything for another chance.

"Let's start over, Alex," she blurted, her cheeks burning red but her voice firm, honest.

Alex blinked, confusion and suspicion twisting his expression. "Where did that come from? That's not like you."

He'd fought for this for so damn long. And now, just when he was shattered and finally ready to walk away for good-she came running after him.

What kind of twisted game was this?

Sophia took a deep breath, eyes unwavering. "Come home with me, Alex."

His body stiffened instantly, every muscle tense.

A whirlwind of emotions flashed through his eyes-longing,

resentment, fear. Had she askel net

months ago, he'd have run back into her arms without a second thought.

But he'd lived through too much agony, felt too many heartbreaks.

He was utterly exhausted, guarded against another emotional ambush.

Even though his heart still ached for her, he'd sworn he wouldn't relive those dark

days again.

He wouldn't be the quiet victim anymore.

He couldn't be hurt again—not if he never gave her another chance, not if he

killed every last shred of hope he still had for her.

"I know you're torn," she said softly, gently touching his arm. "You don't have to decide right now."

Sophia suddenly straightened, her face determined, fierce.

"But mark my words, Alex-I'm reclaiming what's mine. Even if Jasmine Kingston stands in my way, I'll fight her tooth and nail. You know exactly who I am. I don't quit until I've won."

Stunned, Alex eyed her cautiously. "Are you drunk or something?"

Sophia Lancaster was known as an ice queen aloof, proud, never letting anyone

close.

Seeing her this fiery, this defiant, was completely surreal. What the hell had gotten into her?

Or was he missing something?

"No alcohol. I've never been clearer in my life." Sophia tilted her chin up defiantly.

"When you see Jasmine, tell her I want a fair fight. Let the best woman win." Before Alex could react, she leaned forward, boldly pressing her lips against his. The kiss was brief, electric, leaving Alex frozen in shock as she pulled away. Sophia spun around, striding confidently from the clinic, though her flushed cheeks betrayed her racing heart.

"What the...?" Alex touched his lips, still tingling from her sudden kiss.

He felt ambushed, confused, exhilarated. Since when did Sophia Lancaster flirt

like that?

He stood alone, a storm of feelings swirling inside him.

His carefully rebuilt walls, meant to protect his fragile heart, crumbled instantly.

Part of him screamed joyfully, victory dancing in his chest, while another darker, fearful part whispered urgently, "Pack your bags. Get out while you still can."