Tie You Down

Tristan opened his eyes slowly. Gathering all consciousness, he then straightened his body. Don't forget to raise both hands, trying to stretch the muscles of his body that feel stiff.

Spending the whole night sleeping on the sofa is not as comfortable as sleeping on a mattress. Glancing at the clock on the wall, he saw it was already six in the morning. Tristan hurriedly turned toward the bed. There, he saw how Sophia was bowed with her hands still tied to the end of the back of the bed.

For a moment, Tristan took a deep breath. Closing his eyes, he immediately remembered the vile behavior he had deliberately done to his wife the last few nights. There was a slight pain in his heart.

But because he didn't want to stay late, Tristan tried to get rid of those feelings. Choose to get up and walk closer to the bed immediately. Sitting right on one side of the bed, then opened the nightstand to take one of the bottles containing red pills from inside.

This pill is nothing but a contraceptive that Tristan had deliberately prepared in advance. He certainly didn't have the slightest desire to have offspring from a woman who was the daughter of his father's killer.

Taking out two pills from the bottle, seconds later, Tristan turned to Sophia. Approaching, then grabbed the woman's beautiful face while calling her name.

"Sophia, wake up quickly!" he ordered in a high voice.

Tristan's right hand kept gripping Sophia's chin firmly. As soon as the wife opened her eyes, he forcefully put the medicine into the woman's mouth. Then, he handed a glass of water directly to Sophia's lips. Forced her to immediately gulp the water so the medicine he gave could be swallowed immediately.

"You have to take this medicine. I don't want to have children with a woman like you," he said scornfully. Then slowly untied Sophia's hands one by one.

Meanwhile, Sophia, who was in tears, was silent. Not the slightest protest, let alone make a sound. Trying to contain the emotions and pain from all the evil things Tristan has done to her.

Even when Tristan left her to go to work, Sophia remained motionless in bed. Not the slightest move to clean up or eat breakfast that even Samanta brought specifically to his room.

As soon as he arrived at the office, Tristan immersed himself in work. Back to check some reports about the smart city tender, which started running in the last few weeks. According to the target, Foxtail must achieve 50% progress within 18 months. If you pass the agreement, you will get finality and have to pay compensation with a fantastic value.

"Are there any other reports I should check?" Tristan asked Mario, who had also been in his room the whole time.

"Nothing, Mister. I've put them all together and handed them over to you all."

Tristan nodded. Then compiled all the maps that he had finished checking to be handed back to Mario.

"Then please bring this report. I have checked and signed everything."

Mario rushed over to Tristan. Picked up a pile of files from his boss's desk, then prepared to leave the room.

"In that case, I will submit it to each department first. Don't forget, Mister. The day after tomorrow, there is a meeting agenda followed by a dinner with Mr. Alfonso and other vendors at the town hall."

Tristan looked up. Once again, nodding returned to the information, Mario had just shared with him. "Thanks for the reminder. By the way, is Uncle Raphael still in Liverpool?" he asked.

"Seems like it still is," answered Mario. "He's scheduled to be there until tomorrow. It's likely nightfall again in London."

"All right," said Tristan curtly. Mario took a step to leave the room when Tristan again called his assistant to ask one thing he had almost forgotten. "Mario, I almost forgot about this one. Has the assignment I gave you a few weeks ago made any progress? How long should I wait for an answer?" he asked curiously.

Hearing that, Mario turned his head again until their eyes met. He could see how the powerful man was waiting for the information he would deliver after this.

"For now, there is no new news. If it doesn't go wrong, it will take an estimated two to three weeks for the repair process to be declared in its original condition. Hopefully, the team that handles it can work faster than the target."

After hearing Mario's explanation, Tristan reflexively waved his hand in the air, a sign he asked his assistant to leave him immediately. Meanwhile, he was moving again. He had been so well prepared when thinking about what other steps he should take to launch the plan.

***

Tristan just got home at exactly nine o'clock in the evening. Previously, he had stopped at a coffee shop to meet Jacob and Nicholas.

As soon as he entered the room, Tristan was sure he didn't find his wife's figure. At first, he was indifferent. But when it was already 10 p.m., and there was no sign of Sophia entering the room, the curious Tristan chose to go outside to confirm the woman's whereabouts. He only worried that Sophia might try to escape his residence.

Walking down the stairs, Tristan accidentally passed Samanta, who had just finished tidying up the pantry. At that moment, he chose to ask the woman who was assigned to take care of all of his wife's needs.

"Samanta, I you see my wife?" Samanta, who was just about to turn into the room, stopped his steps. Turning around, the woman nodded politely.

"The last Mrs. Sophia I saw was around the pool, sir. She's been sitting there quietly."

"Swimming pool?" Tristan's eyebrows knit together. Of course, he wondered what his wife wanted to do to stay there.

"Yes, sir. Madam has been there for a long time. All day she hasn't even touched any of the food that I have brought. Never mind that, she's just not talking today."

Tristan took a deep breath. Understanding the assistant's explanation, he asked Samanta to leave. While he then decided to walk into the working room.

Meanwhile, Sophia had been sitting quietly in the pool area. Her eyes were bloodshot. Her gaze looked completely blank. Her mind was filled with bits and pieces of the painful events she had received from her husband these past few days.

For God's sake, I'm not strong like this anymore. Is there a logical reason that can keep me going? Sophia closed her eyes tightly. She had dried his tears all day long. Rubbing her chest slowly, she chose to straighten her body and rose from her seat. Walking slowly, right on the edge of the pool while playing in the water with the tips of her feet.

After a while, she paused for a moment. Seconds later, Sophia smiled, then suddenly dropped herself into the water. Slowly but surely, the woman's body was sinking. There was not the slightest effort on Sophia's part to move to just float or pull over.

Until the woman finally completely lost consciousness. Luckily someone saw the incident and immediately threw themselves in to help Sophia. Pulls to the side, then slowly lifts him to the side to provide first aid.

"Gosh, Sophia!" Aurora, who at that time heard a commotion from outside, also checked the situation. Finding Sophia, who was limp and unconscious, she panicked and immediately accompanied the woman when she was brought to her room.

Tristan himself immediately called the doctor. Fortunately, Sophia's condition was not worrying when she was examined because she had previously received help quickly and precisely.

"Let your wife rest first, Mister Tristan. Her condition is fine. There is nothing to worry about. I deliberately injected a sedative so that your wife can rest first," explained the doctor after the examination. "It's just, Mrs. Sophia really needs help. I'm sure her soul is currently being shaken. That's why she is so desperate to do something that endangers her life."

Tristan closed his eyes for a moment. Cursing the stupid thing his wife just did. Before long, he glanced back at the doctor standing next to Sophia. "Thanks for the advice, Doc. I'll do what the doctor suggests."

After escorting the doctor out, Tristan returned to the room. There was still Aurora, who faithfully helped wait for Sophia, who was still unconscious.

"Tristan what happened? What did you do to Sophia to make her want to end her life?" said Aurora. She didn't care if Tristan was angry or offended by his question.

"I don't know, Aurora." Tristan heard a low sigh. The man's face was flat. "I don't know what made Sophia like this either."

"You are lying!" Aurora exclaimed in disbelief. "How could Sophia suddenly want to end her life if there was no reason. I'm sure you would ----"

"Stop Aurora!" Tristan pointed his index finger at Aurora. "Stop your babbling. Please just focus on taking care of Sophia. We can talk about this another time."

Aurora nodded, then threw a pillow right at Tristan.

"Then please sleep outside tonight. I'll just take care of Sophia. I'm afraid that if you accompany me, Sophia might even die because I killed it," Aurora quipped deliberately.

Even though he doesn't agree or is willing to see Tristan marry another woman, he can still think sanely by distinguishing between what is good and what is not. Aurora, of course, is concerned about what happened to the woman who is now his wife, Tristan.

After ensuring Tristan left the room, Aurora returned to waiting for Sophia. Guarding the woman until the morning finally comes. With great care, Aurora helped wipe Sophia's body. Help change the woman's clothes carefully until Sophia wakes up from her long sleep.

"Sophia, are you all right?" asked Aurora when she found Sophia, who had opened her eyes, even trying to get up from her long sleep. "Let me help," said Aurora, holding the woman's body carefully.

"I'm fine," Sophia squeaked almost in a whisper. Soon the woman cast a questioning gaze at Aurora. "What are you doing here?"

Aurora reviewed her smile in a friendly manner. While fixing his seat, he answered Sophia's question.

"I'm just helping look after you after last night's incident. I'm sorry for your condition, Sophia. If you need a friend to complain about, you can talk to me," Aurora said earnestly.

Sophia could even see the sincerity in the two beautiful women's eyes. "Why did you save my life?" Sophia asked with a bitter smile. His face showed an expression of extreme annoyance. "There's no point in living for me anymore."

"Sophia!" Aurora exclaimed in annoyance. "You can't say things like that. If there's a heavy burden you're carrying, you can share your story with me."

Again Sophia laughed. Feel intrigued by what Aurora said.

"Sharing a story with you? I've even shared a husband with you, Aurora," said Sophia. Openly satirizing the woman who had been considered to have a special relationship with her husband behind her back.

"What do you mean? After all, who shared your husband with you, Sophia. I'm sure you must have misunderstood," Aurora tried to defend herself.

"Do not lie!" Sophia debate. "I even saw with my own eyes a few nights ago Tristan kissing you passionately. You two even sleep in the same room, right?"

This time it was Aurora's turn to laugh. She was slightly offended by what Sophia had accused her of. "It's up to you to believe it or not, but believe me what you see is not what you think."

"You mean?" Sophia sounded confused. "Just so you know, that night Tristan did go to my room to submit the work he had just finished checking. I can't deny that your husband did kiss me that night."

"Wait a minute." Sophia immediately interrupted Aurora's explanation. "What do you mean on purpose?"

Aurora nodded, then went back to explaining. "Yeah, as you're thinking right now. He did that on purpose to make you feel hurt and hurt. Believe it or not, but he wants to make you jealous."

"But you two slept in the same room that night, didn't you? I mean, there's no way you two didn't do anything." Once again, Sophia debated what Aurora had explained to her.

"For God's sake, we both didn't do anything, Sophia. Tristan even slept on the couch that night. Even though I like your husband, I'm not a cheap woman who wants to sleep with someone's husband."

This one sentence made Sophia gasp immediately. She didn't think that Aurora had feelings for his husband. No wonder his attitude has been so spoiled, and he openly shows love.

"If you really like Tristan, then why are you telling me like this? Wouldn't it be better if I misunderstood? Besides, why also save my life? If only I died, the two of you could be together right away, right? what was the real purpose of Tristan marrying me." Sophia immediately bombarded Aurora with so many questions. Exasperated himself with the unfortunate fate that is now befalling him.

"I apologize in advance for not being able to tell you the exact reason this man married you. What you need to know, even though I like Tristan, doesn't mean I lose my mind and do anything to get her. Besides, the person who saved your life last night was Tristan. He immediately threw himself into the swimming pool to help you."

Sophia laughed, then shook her head. "There's no way Tristan saved me. Every night he even tortures me mercilessly."

Aurora was taken aback. She seemed to have doubts about Sophia's statement on this one. "What did you say? Tristan tortured you?" Realizing that she had missed talking to Aurora, Sophia hastily tried to correct her sentence.

"N-no... I mean, Tristan ----"

"Sophia, you don't need to hide it. Did Tristan really hurt you?" With a deathly pale face, Sophia immediately grabbed Aurora's wrist. Holding it tight, then put on a begging face. "Please don't tell Tristan that I told you about him tormenting me every night. I don't want anyone I care about to suffer. Tristan has sworn to hurt anyone I care about if I dare say this to anyone else."

Aurora took a deep breath. Seeing Sophia's terrified face, he was sure she wasn't lying. "Don't worry, I'm not going to tell Tristan about this. But first, may I know what kind of torture he inflicted on you."

It was obvious that Sophia took several deep breaths to get rid of the nervousness and fear. Courageous, he slowly spoke. "Right on the wedding night until now, Tristan has always been rude. I know that he has the right to me. But that doesn't mean he just tortures and pushes me by force. I even always wonder what did I do wrong to receive such cruel treatment."

Aurora's eyes were successful, and she didn't expect what she had just heard.

"What did you say? Tristan fucked you?"

Sophia nodded weakly. Confirming what Aurora asked him.

"He even forced me to take birth control pills so I wouldn't carry his child."

"Bastard Tristan!" Aurora reflexively exclaimed in anger. Besides that, he also felt that he had been lied to by Tristan's promise that he didn't want to touch Sophia. But the truth? The man had even slept with his wife several times.

Seconds later, overcome with emotion, the woman rose from her seat, intending to leave. "I have to teach him a lesson."

Sophia immediately shook her head. Pulling Aurora's wrist to sit back down and calm her emotions. "For God's sake, don't say anything to Tristan when I've already told you this, Aurora. I really beg of you," Sophia pleaded pitifully. Tears rolled down her cheeks again.

"But it's really too late, Sophia," said Aurora angrily.

"Please," Sophia begged again. "Promise me you won't tell anyone about this."

Aurora pursed her lips tightly. Struggling to relieve emotions that have reached the crown. She was very upset to hear what Sophia had just told her. He didn't think that Tristan, who had been gentle all this time, could do this to a woman like this.

"Aurora, please. Promise me," Sophia pleaded again. Aurora finally melted. He sat back down again, grabbed Sophia's wrist while giving him a deep look, then spoke quietly. "Whatever it is, Sophia. If something bad happens to you, tell me quickly. I'll do my best to help you."

Sophia burst into tears as she threw a hug towards Aurora. Feeling relieved, at least now he has friends he can share stories with.