Edward hurriedly walked towards the door of his apartment unit when he heard the bell ringing. Opening the door, he found Alfonso already standing there. Previously, Edward had deliberately contacted the man.
He thought it would not be good to hide the news of Sophia’s illness from her parents. That’s why, when he woke up this morning, Edward immediately called, giving information about the current conditions that befell Sophia.
“Edward, where’s Sophia? Can Uncle see her right now?” asked Alfonso impatiently as Edward opened the door for him.
“Of course, Uncle,” Edward replied, nodding. Hastily led, Alfonso immediately walked to the room where Sophia was resting. Once they arrived, the two could see how Sophia was still lying down watching television.
“Sophia …”
The woman immediately turned her head. Seeing his father’s presence, she was surprised for a few seconds. But soon, she immediately straightened up. Spreading both hands, a sign asking Alfonso to hug him.
“Oh my God, what happened, honey?” asked Alfonso, hugging the princess tightly. “Nothing’s happened, Papa. I just have a common cold. Edward must have told me all sorts of things to get Papa here.”
Sophia then glanced at Edward. She looked annoyed because the man had leaked the secret about her whereabouts to her father.
“Edward hasn’t even said anything yet,” said Alfonso, stretching his arms. “Why are you suddenly here? Even if it hurts like this, we better go home, okay?” bargained the man immediately. How could he see her beautiful daughter be sick like now?
However, Sophia shook her head instead of agreeing to her father’s request. She turned down the offer made to her.
“It’s a long story. When I get better, I’ll tell Papa everything. For now, let me stay at Edward’s place until I’m completely healed and comfortable.”
Seeing Sophia’s pleading look, Alfonso couldn’t help but refuse his daughter’s request. He nodded, then hugged her tightly again.
“You have a lot to thank Edward for taking the trouble of taking care of you who are sick like this. If you need anything, ask Papa immediately. Don’t burden the nice man with your requests that sometimes sound ridiculous,” joked Alfonso, pointing at Edward.
“Dad take it easy. Edward is a nice guy. He won’t be the least bit angry, let alone complain about taking care of me here.” Sophia then glanced back at Edward with a smile. “Isn’t that right, Mr Edward?”
Edward nodded, then smiled back. “Don’t worry, Uncle. I’ve never been bothered. I’ll take care of Sophia until she’s much better.”
Alfonso heaved a sigh of relief. Judging from his face, he was very sure that Edward was so sincere in helping his daughter.
“That’s it. Now you continue your rest. Don’t forget to eat and take medicine. Now, let Papa go to work first. Later this afternoon or later tonight, Papa will come back with Mama.”
Sophia agreed to her father’s orders. Before letting the man go, she again threw herself into a tight hug. After feeling satisfied, then she let Alfonso leave her room.
“Edward, what really happened. Why is Sophia in your apartment?” inquired Alfonso curiously when they were out of the room.
Before answering, Edward first invited Alfonso to sit on the sofa in the living room. Making sure his guests are comfortable, then he responds.
“As Sophia mentioned inside, Uncle. It’s quite a long story. I was even surprised when Sophia suddenly called me that night.”
“A moment.” Alfonso seemed to interrupt. “So how long has Sophia lived with you?”
Edward rolled his eyes. Counts for a moment, then reply.
“With today, the total becomes four days.”
Alfonso immediately gasped. That means that he didn’t know what was happening to the princess all that time.
“Please explain to me just the gist of it why Sophia suddenly came out of her husband’s house?”
Edward took a deep breath. He was slowly trying to explain. Even though he knew it was not in his capacity to tell, hiding the facts from Uncle Alfonso was also not the right choice.
“So, Sophia told me that since the first day she married Tristan, she was always being tortured physically, verbally, and mentally. Finally, before running away from home, she witnessed Tristan making out with another woman. Because she couldn’t take it anymore, Sophia finally decided to leave. out without Tristan’s knowledge.”
“Bastard!”
In that instant, Edward could hear how Alfonso shouted angrily. The man’s white face immediately turned red because he was immediately ignited by emotion. This happened to Edward when he heard Sophia tell the story for the first time.
“So all this time Tristan tortured Sophia?”
Edward awkwardly nodded.
“I’m sorry my friend, Uncle. I know this is not a commendable act. I can’t even understand why Tristan turned out like this.”
Alfonso clenched his jaw. He was angry with what Tristan had done to his daughter.
“Why are you apologizing, Edward? It’s not your fault. Uncle is even grateful that Sophia can be here with you. There must be a reason why she chose your place to take refuge from her husband.”
Edward agreed with Alfonso’s words. He was sure that Sophia would feel comfortable to the point that she chose to take refuge and live in her apartment.
“But Uncle don’t worry. I beat Tristan a few days ago. That guy wouldn’t even dare to meet, let alone pick up Sophia here.”
Alfonso breathed a sigh of relief. At least for now, he felt his daughter was with the right person.
“Then let her stay here, Ed. You don’t mind, do you? When she gets better, Uncle will persuade her to come home soon.”
“Of course,” Edward answered confidently. “I don’t mind in the least looking after, tending, and keeping an eye on Sophia. If anything happens, I’ll call Uncle right away.”
Meanwhile, in a different place, Raphael seems to be sitting on the sofa waiting for Tristan to arrive, who has been attending a meeting. Today, he is determined to take the man seriously.
Even though he believes Tristan won’t listen to what he has to say, Raphael doesn’t. He will keep trying until what he wants to say is immediately conveyed.
“Finally you are done too,” said Raphael when he found Tristan, who had entered his workspace.
“What do you want Uncle to my room?” His work immediately cast a probing gaze at the man standing before him.
“We have something to talk about, Tristan. And Uncle think this is very important for you to know.”
Tristan raised an eyebrow. The man responded with a cold tone to what he was talking about.
“Oh, yes? But I don’t seem the least bit interested in Uncle’s ramblings. I am busy. So Uncle’d better get out of my room right away.”
“But, Tristan. You really should listen to all of this. You should know so you don’t misunderstand —”
“Misunderstood in what?”
From the direction of the entrance, another figure interrupted Raphael’s sentence. Both turned their heads. Both of them saw Alfonso’s presence there. Both here.
“That means I don’t have to go to the trouble of gathering you guys.”
Raphael who was still standing still in his position immediately chuckled. Putting on a wary attitude as Alfonso got closer and closer to his position.
“You’d better not interfere, Alfonso. After all, your presence is not expected here.”
Alfonso laughed amused. Ignoring Raphael, he now turned to Tristan.
“My purpose in coming here is to meet Tristan. I want to make calculations with you, young man. You’ve made a big mistake playing with my daughter.”
Tristan smirked. Leaning his shoulders back on the chair, the man looked so relaxed as if innocent. Not the least bit concerned with Alfonso’s words that sounded like threats.
“Doesn’t Sophia deserve that? Besides, the pain he’s feeling is nothing compared to what I used to feel.”
“Oh, come on, Tristan,” Alfonso said. “Your revenge was misguided. I’ve said many times I’m not Andrew’s killer. Why don’t you suspect Raphael? Didn’t he already clearly betrayed by having a relationship with Gracia?”
“Stop it, Alfonso!” As he stood, Raphael immediately shouted. Asking Alfonso to finish his sentence. “Don’t mess with me.”
“You think I’m scared?” replied Alfonso. nonchalantly. Then the man turned his head back to Tristan. “Don’t you know that Raphael keeps many secrets from you?”
“Unfortunately I don’t care anymore,” Tristan replied, no less indifferent.
“Are you sure?” This time Alfonso threw a look that was difficult to interpret. Smirking sharply, the man continued his sentence.
“Don’t you want to hear the fact that Raphael Gamaliel Smith is your real father?”
“Alfonso, stop it!” Raphael shouted. The man even came forward to grab the collar of Alfonso’s coat.
At the same time, Tristan seemed silent in his seat. He was trying to digest what his senses of hearing had just captured.