The Almighty Dominance

Sophia opened her mouth, but the words froze in her throat.

She had tried countless times to confess everything, but each time she failed.

She knew Alex was strong, but what good was strength when your enemy could bring two men with guns to finish the job?

Life wasn't fair-it never was.

It wasn't a fair fight in some arena where you squared off one-on-one.

Gilbert had hundreds of killers at his disposal, waiting for his signal.

The most painful part was knowing Alex's heart. Once he learned the truth, he wouldn't hesitate to put himself in danger for her.

He would foolishly become Gilbert's enemy, rushing headlong toward death.

And it would all be her fault.

All Sophia wanted was for Alex to live a peaceful life.

If she had to bear his hatred, become his enemy, and carry that torment to her grave, she would accept it gladly.

Yet, Sophia wondered bitterly, would Alex miss her after she was gone?

Would he ever realize the terrible truth behind her sacrifice?

No-he would probably just hate her forever.

"How are things with Jasmine?"

Alex stared at her in disbelief.

He shook his head, frustration etched deep into his features.

"Sophia, I don't know what sick game you're playing, but I'm damn tired of it."

He snatched a cheap beer from the table, popped the cap off roughly, and drank it down angrily.

"If you must know," he snapped, deliberately trying to hurt her, "Jasmine and I are doing great. We've even talked about getting married."

His words pierced Sophia like a knife. A sharp, unbearable pain clenched around her heart.

She thought she was prepared for anything-even death-but hearing Alex say he would marry Jasmine was too much.

Jealousy and despair surged through her veins, clouding her thoughts.

Without a word, she yanked a chair back, snatched the beer bottle off the table, and poured herself a full glass.

She downed it in one angry gulp, her hand trembling.

Alex stared, baffled. "What the hell are you doing?"

"I'm thirsty—can't you see that?" she snapped, her eyes sharp with defiance.

She poured another glass, her movements quick and unsteady, and drank it down in one furious gulp.

But the bitter liquid did nothing to ease the storm raging inside her, so she immediately poured another.

"Hey! That's my beer!" Alex protested, reaching for the bottle.

"So what?" Sophia spat back harshly, mocking him openly.

"Are you seriously this pathetic over one beer? Owner! Bring us more bottles- he's paying!"

The street food keeper quickly obliged, delighted by the sudden request.

More bottles appeared on the table, and Sophia drank fiercely, determined to numb her pain.

Shaking his head, Alex glared at her, frustration mixing dangerously with sorrow.

"Since I'm paying for it, I'll drink too," he growled, grabbing another beer and gulping it down, matching her pace.

They drank heavily, each sip desperate and fierce, as if alcohol could wash away their torment.

For a while, only tense silence lingered between them, punctuated by bitter swallows and heavy breaths.

The police and military had long since cleared away the bodies, and over time, people began to forget what had happened there.

Life slowly returned to normal, and the street food stalls started filling up again with crowds and laughter.

At last, Sophia forced a painful smile, her voice trembling slightly. "Congratulations, Alex. Jasmine is... a wonderful woman. She really cares about you. But you know, you two come from different worlds. You'll have to work damn hard to catch up to her."

Alex scoffed coldly, his eyes darkening.

"You're marrying Gilbert-the governor's family, remember? You're hardly better than me. Maybe you're the one who should be worried about catching up."

Sophia nodded slowly, the sting of his words deeper than she'd imagined.

"You're right," she whispered bitterly, taking another large gulp of beer. "Absolutely right."

Then suddenly, her eyes flashed with pain and anger.

"You know what? Maybe Jasmine should marry Gilbert instead! Rich man, rich woman-perfect match! And maybe you and I should have gotten married. Then neither of us would have to struggle so hard."

Alex felt anger flare up inside him, his fist clenched, nearly slamming the table in frustration.

He wanted to shake her, scream at her, demand she explain what twisted logic filled her head.

But how could any man truly understand a woman like Sophia?

Hell, no man could ever really understand a woman at all.

Alex watched as Sophia's cheeks flushed deep crimson, her eyes glazed and unfocused.

She was drunk-no doubt about it.

Suddenly, Sophia slammed her palm against the table and shouted, "You bastard!"

Her sharp outburst startled Alex. He nearly jumped from his chair.

She shoved her empty glass toward him, eyes blazing.

"Pour me another drink, you jerk! How can you sit there and make a woman pour her own beer?"

Alex clenched his fists beneath the table. Every instinct told him to storm away and leave her to her mess.

But when he saw her flushed face, wild eyes, and the reckless beauty of her intoxication, something softened inside him.

Despite himself, he picked up the bottle and reluctantly poured her drink.

Sophia snatched the glass and drained it in one reckless gulp.

"Coward!" she sneered loudly, slamming the empty glass back on the table. "Tell

me straight, Alex-do you like me or not?"

Alex exhaled sharply, struggling to control the storm inside him. "You're drunk, Sophia. Let's not do this now. Just drink."

He reached for the bottle again, but her voice rose sharply, slicing through the hum of nearby conversations.

"I'm talking to you, Alex! You had the nerve to sleep with me the first night we met Back then, Leven thought

might be pregnant with your child and now you can't even open your damn mouth?"

Every head in the area turned sharply toward them.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd as accusing eyes burned into Alex, making his

head spin with embarrassment.

He leaned toward the curious onlookers, hands raised defensively. "I'm sorry,

everyone. She's just had too much to drink."

Sophia leapt from her chair, unsteady but defiant.

"I'm not drunk!" she yelled, glaring daggers at Alex.

"I'm asking you plainly: Do you like

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me or not? Stop being such a spineless coward! If you truly have feelings forme, declare it to the whole damn world!"

Several men around them nodded vigorously, urging Alex to speak up.

Alex groaned inwardly. "Owner!" he called desperately, waving for attention. "We're done here. I'll pay now."

The street food owner approached with a knowing smile.

"Young man," he said earnestly, "take some advice from me. If you love her, don't

hold back. Life is short-regrets last forever."

"Exactly!" Sophia shouted triumphantly, her voice echoing loudly.

"Listen to him, Alex! If you dared to take me, then you should damn well dare to

love me!"

Alex stood quickly, pulling gently at her arm. "Sophia, enough. I'm calling you a cab. You're going home."

"No!" Sophia screamed, tears suddenly pouring down her flushed cheeks.

"If you don't admit right now that you love me, I'm not moving an inch!"

Alex felt the walls closing in.

The crowd was growing restless, amused whispers spreading from table to table. He bent closer, voice strained. Sophia, please lower your voice. Everyone's staring."

"Let them stare!" Sophia shouted, spinning around to face the entire tavern.

"Everyone! Tell this stubborn idiot to admit he loves me-otherwise, I'm not

stepping foot in that hotel with him tonight!"

Alex's face burned with embarrassment.

Hotel? Where the hell did that even come from?

He wished the ground would open up and swallow him on the spot.

A young man at another table laughed boldly, raising his glass. "If he doesn't

appreciate you, honey, why don't you join us instead?"

Sophia shook her head furiously.

"No! I love this jerk! And he loves me too—at least he did, until that awful Jasmine

showed up."

She burst into loud sobs, gripping the edge of the table for support. "It hurts so

damn much. Alex, just tell me you love me more than Jasmine!"

Sympathetic sighs rippled through the area.

"What a cheating bastard," someone muttered.

"Unbelievable," another voice sneered. "How could he betray a woman like that?"

"He doesn't deserve her!"

Alex ground his teeth, humiliation boiling over. He leaned close to Sophia,

urgently whispering, "Let's just go, please."

Sophia shook her head violently. "I told you—I'm not going anywhere until you say

it. Say you love me, Alex!"

He took a deep breath, locking eyes with her. "Fine, Sophia. I love you."

"No, you don't!" she spat instantly, fresh tears spilling from her eyes.

Alex rubbed his forehead in frustration. "But I do, okay?"

Sophia narrowed her eyes accusingly. "If that's true, why are you marrying

Jasmine?"

"I'm not!" Alex snapped sharply, desperate to end this madness.

"I lied about marrying her, okay? I'm not going to marry Jasmine."

Sophia studied him suspiciously, swaying slightly. "Really?"

"Yes, really," Alex growled impatiently.

"Then prove it," Sophia said suddenly, leaning toward him, eyes blazing with

intensity.

"Kiss me right here, right now."

Alex froze, taken aback. "What?"

"You heard me," she whispered fiercely, lips trembling, her face mere inches fromnoveldrama

his.

"If you're telling the truth, kiss me in front of everyone."

Around them, the area erupted into wild applause, rhythmic chants rising from

every corner: "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"

Sophia closed her eyes, leaning forward boldly, challenging him openly before the

entire area.

Alex stared at her flushed face, heart pounding, trapped between humiliation and

longing.

In that moment, there was no escape.