Truth or Fake

Sophia stepped into the intensive care room with mixed feelings in her heart. The tiredness she felt because she had not slept for almost two nights was not in the slightest compared to the anxiety that continued to hit.

In a moment, Sophia braced herself. For a moment, she was afraid that Tristan would suddenly leave her.

Having experienced a decline in her condition, Sophia cried in fear seeing how the team of doctors gave follow-up actions. Moreover, when Tristan's heart rate weakened, Sophia could see through the glass that the medical team was panicking in dealing with the man.

"For God's sake, do something." While sobbing, Sophia's eyes didn't move from the scene in the room. The medical team seemed to work hand in hand, trying to help Tristan get out of the critical condition the man was experiencing.

"Relax, Sophia. Tristan will be fine," Edward comforted. He was no less panicked and worried about seeing what was happening in front of his eyes.

While crying, Sophia turned to Edward. Throwing an angry look, the woman said curtly. "Don't comfort me, Edward Cullen. I know Tristan isn't all right. Honestly, I'm tired of hearing you from yesterday telling me to just calm down ... calm down ... and calm down."

Taking a deep breath, Sophia narrowed her eyes and then spoke again.

"How can I calm down when my husband is currently dying. No one can even guarantee that he will be okay."

Edward nodded. Not the least bit angry or offended by Sophia's nagging. He realized that the woman could be as curt as she is now because she was so panicked and worried about her husband's condition.

"I know that, Sophia. But, instead of crying over him, we better wish Tristan the best, right? I feel the same way as you. Who wants to lose their best friend. Between you and me, who has known and spent the longest time together?" time with him? But again, I emphasize, there is nothing else we can do but pray for him."

Sophia was silent. All the angry words that he wanted to say, he immediately swallowed back. It was true what Edward said, there was nothing else that could be done right now but to pray.

Once in front of the treatment room, Sophia stopped her footsteps. Before actually deciding to enter. She braced himself. Take several deep breaths to control your emotions. Even though Tristan wasn't the slightest bit conscious, she didn't want to cry directly in front of that man.

After feeling strong, Sophia took another step forward. Once inside, she could see how Tristan was lying sleeping with so many tubes attached to his body. Today the nurse said her condition is getting better. The critical period has even been successfully passed. It was only a matter of time before the man woke up from his long slumber.

"Tristan," Sophia called as she sat right next to her husband. He took the man's hand and squeezed it gently. "How long are you going to sleep like this? I know you don't miss me. But at least get out of bed quickly. Lots of people miss you. Yes, including me."

Silence hit again. Sophia chose to stare at Tristan's face in silence. Every now and then, her hand reached out to gently caress the man's cheek.

"I know I don't mean anything to you. But please, wake up. It doesn't matter when you wake up. You want to hit or torture me. At least you're awake so that I can get back at you."

This time Sophia smiled blandly. Are you sure about what she just said? In fact, she also realized that once Tristan woke up, the cold war that had previously been created would start again. But that's okay. According to Sophia, it was better to see the man being mean to her than to sleep helplessly like now.

"You should know," Sophia said again. "I sincerely love you. But, I'm also self-aware that we'll always be difficult to put together."

With teary eyes Sophia squeezed Tristan's wrist again, harder than before. Her defenses almost collapsed if at that time Aurora and Raphael weren't in the room and reprimanded her.

"Sophia, are you all right?"

Aurora immediately approached the position where Sophia was sitting. He grabbed the woman's body and hugged her without awkwardness.

"You're all right, right?" Once again Aurora repeated her question.

"I'm fine, Aurora."

"Sophia." This time Raphael also called out. "You should rest first. From the moment Tristan was admitted to the hospital until this very moment, Uncle knew you hadn't rested once. If you continue like this, your condition might deteriorate too."

Unraveling Aurora's embrace, Sophia then got up from her seat and answered Raphael's concern.

"No need to think about it, Uncle. I'm in very good condition. I'm still strong, waiting for Tristan. I don't want to lose the moment she wakes up from her sleep."

Raphael sighed softly then smiled knowingly at what Sophia did. Anyone would have made the same sacrifice when their loved one was in an uncertain condition like Tristan. Unfortunately, Raphael also realized , once the man he has cared for for a long time realized, surely he would not have the slightest idea of Sophia's presence.

Tristan is like that. When he has a grudge, it is very difficult to forgive. This will also happen to him. After the last feud between the two of them, Raphael was sure of a relationship between himself and Tristan will not be as fine as before.

"Good afternoon. Are we disturbing?"

From the direction of the door, someone's call caught everyone's eyes. As soon as they turned around, a group of Edward, Jacob, Nicholas and Alfonso came into the room carrying so many fruits and other foods.

Seeing Alfonso also present there, immediately Raphael's face turn sour. For some reason, he was too lazy to meet his former best friend.

"Papa ..." Sophia walked quickly to Alfonso and hugged him tightly. Just returned from abroad due to an official trip, today Alfonso had just visited his daughter and son-in-law who was in the hospital.

As soon as he left the airport, Alfonso immediately asked his driver to take him to the hospital. Incidentally, when he had just entered the lobby, he accidentally met Edward and his son-in-law's friends. So they all went into the room where Tristan was being treated.

"Sophia, are you all right?" asked Alfonso as he gently stroked the princess' long hair. For a moment, he realized there was something different about his son. "Why is your face like this? You even look skinny. Have you eaten?"

In Alfonso's arms, Sophia shook her head. Then stretched his arms to look closely at his father's face. "I'm not hungry yet, Pa. Besides, I can't leave Tristan in the room alone. I'm afraid, and when I leave, he suddenly wakes up."

Edward, who also listened carefully to Sophia's explanation, immediately shook his head. For the sake of waiting for Tristan, Sophia was willing to ignore her own situation. Really, how lucky his friend was.

"Sophia, I know you're worried about your husband. But you have to think about your health too."

"Edward's right, Sophia," said Alfonso again. "Better, you eat and then rest for a while so that your energy is filled again. At this rate, you might become a new patient at this hospital tomorrow."

Edward nodded in agreement. He certainly didn't want the woman he loved to get sick because he was ignorant of his condition.

"If you're afraid to leave Tristan far away. , I can accompany you to eat in the canteen in this hospital. The distance is not far. If something goes wrong, you can immediately run to return to the room. How?" the man asked hopefully.

"It's okay, Sophia." Aurora joined in. Also reassuring that Sophia would take a break. "Let me accompany Tristan here. After all, there was Papa and Jacob and also Nicholas. So you don't need to worry."

"Come on, son." Alfonso persuaded the princess again. "Let Papa come with you too."

Sophia finally melted. At that moment, with the guidance of her father, she decided to go to the canteen on the third floor immediately. When we arrived, it was Edward's turn to help pull a chair. Attentively, the man who bore the title of playboy invited Sophia to sit comfortably.

"Please, Princess," he said sweetly. Alfonso even laughed because he was amused.

"Thank you, Ed. But you don't have to go overboard like this," Sophia protested.

Edward flashed a smile. Putting on an indifferent face, he responded to the words of the woman next to him. "It's okay, Sophia. I'm willing to do anything as long as this time I can make sure you eat comfortably."

Sophia shook her head. Lazy to argue, the woman chose to order food. When the menu that had been called was served, she slowly took a bite of the food until it finally finished without leftovers.

"Praise God." Edward exclaimed happily. He smiled when he found that Sophia had eaten all the ordered food. "Finally, your stomach is filled. Now, you need to rest for a while so that your condition can return to normal as before," Edward chirped while carrying a tissue, then, without permission, gently rubbed Sophia's lips which were wet from the drinking water he had just gulped.

"Edward ..." scolded Alfonso, who had been watching the young man's movements in front of him. "Honestly, Uncle is flattered by the way you treat Sophia. For some reason, Uncle thinks that you love him."

"Daddy!" With bulging eyes, Sophia interrupted her father's words. His cheeks immediately flushed red with embarrassment. "Do not say that."

Smiling, Alfonso shook his head. Even though he was happy because he had teased his daughter. "No, Sophia. Papa is only speaking according to reality. According to what Papa has seen firsthand. Ordinary people will think the same way. Assuming you and Edward have a special relationship."

Edward nodded with an awkward smile. Yet, in his heart, he cursed the bad luck that had come to him. Edward wanted to curse at that moment because Tristan had dared to deliberately bend and snatch the woman he had worked so hard for. I

f only Tristan weren't there yesterday. Maybe right now, he's the one being happy with Sophia.

"Honestly, until this moment, I still love Sophia, Uncle," he said matter-of-factly. Making Sophia, who heard it was astonished. "Even though Uncle's daughter is now with Tristan, that love will not be lost in the slightest, let alone fade. I will sincerely look after her and try to protect her."

"Edward!" Now, it was Edward's turn to be protested by Sophia. "Don't say things like that. Instead of wasting your time on me, why don't you slowly find a better woman you can marry."

"No, Sophia." Edward immediately shook his head. Openly rejected the advice Sophia gave. "It's not that easy to forget you. If you had separated from Tristan, I asked you to forget him. I'm sure it would be difficult for you to do."

Sophia fell silent hearing Edward's stinging reply. Before he could answer, the man's cell phone suddenly rang. When he checked, there was Nicholas' name written on it.

At first, Edward was lazy to respond. He knew Nicholas was the most annoying human being and often contacted him for unimportant things. However, because the calls were made many times, Edward finally felt uncomfortable. Sophia and her father even went as far as to rebuke them.

"Pick it up. Who knows, there's something important Nicholas wants to say," Sophia suggested. Edward finally agreed. Reluctantly, he picked up the call.

"What's the matter, Rich? Just watch out for calling me to say things that don't matter." "Tell Sophia, Tristan just woke up."

Immediately Edward got up. Without saying a word, he immediately grabbed Sophia's wrist. He was bringing the woman to walk towards the room where Tristan was direct.

***

Everyone seemed to be gathered in front of the room while waiting for Tristan to be examined by a team of doctors. It's been more than 30 minutes, but not a single medical team has come out to give news about the development of Tristan's condition after waking up from a long sleep.

While Sophia sat side by side with Aurora and Edward at the front of the room, Raphael himself chose to wait in another place not far from Tristan's room. Watching in silence, suddenly, from the show, Alfonso came over and sat right next to him without permission.

"Of all the people who look sad, I noticed, you're the only one who puts on a tough look. Or maybe you don't feel sad about Tristan's misfortune."

Without even looking back, Raphael answered Alfonso's words in a cold tone.

"If you're only here to ramble on, it's best if you just leave."

Alfonso smiled. He was intrigued by what his former best friend had to say.

"It's you. You've always been the same. It's never changed a bit. Even though I've always been sincere in making you a friend."

This time Raphael turned his head. Raising an eyebrow, the man responded.

"Oh, huh? So when you're friends with me, you're so sincere?" Raphael asked doubtfully. Not even a few seconds after the sentence was ejected, he continued his speech. "Ah, yes. At first, I was sure you were sincere in making me a friend. But as time goes on, it becomes more and more apparent who has their interests, even trying to destroy what Andrew has worked so hard to build."

"You accuse me?" asked Alfonso casually. He was not the least bit provoked by Raphael's provocative remarks.

"accuse you," said Raphael in a weak voice. "Just stating a fact that actually happened on the ground. If you didn't do anything, there's no way Andrew would even bother to get you out of Foxtail Holding, which was booming at the time."

"Wasn't Andrew acting like that because you were the one who incited him?"

"So now you're the one accusing me?" Raphael shouted back at Alfonso. "This is the truth, Raphael," said Alfonso with a smile. "It is clear between the two of us who has vested interests. Besides, you're very cunning. Admit it, you did want to eliminate Andrew so that he could reclaim Gracia who had turned his back on you, didn't you?"

A small laugh escaped Raphael's lips. He had anticipated the accusations Alfonso was about to make against him. "Stop your bullshit, Alfonso Adelaide. Right now, you should be grateful that you can still breathe calmly. But remember something..." Raphael then turned to the other side. He nailed the turquoise bead as he spoke softly. "It won't take long. There was a time when I kept your mouth shut forever."

"So, after you accused me, now you're threatening to kill me?" Alfonso shook his head. "Raphael ... Raphael ... apart from your ambition to have Foxtail, you also have ambitions to get rid of me apparently. But calm down, I make sure everything you plan will never come true. Everywhere, the strong will always win."

"Don't be too confident!" Raphael immediately shot back. "You are not God, Alfonso Adelaide. You should start learning from now on to accept your defeat."

"You won't," replied Alfonso again. "That won't happen until I see with my own eyes how Tristan fought with his own father."

In that instant, Raphael felt like he was being struck. What Alfonso just said almost made him suffocate. For years of trying to hide the truth on this one, he was missed because his rival could find out.

"Why?" asked Alfonso with a happy expression. He seemed pleased to see Raphael's expression. who used to be full of self-confidence, now turned stiff even his face instantly turned pale.

"It's great to see firsthand how Tristan was angry when his stepfather died at the hands of his own father."

"Stop it, Alfonso!" cried Raphael. The veins in his neck were popping out, indicating that his emotions were so stirred up.

"I won't." Alfonso smiled mockingly. so calm, the man even put on an innocent face. "You're the one who dared to play with me, Raphael. Then just accept the consequences of all your actions. You need to remember, it's not hard to get Tristan to side with me."

"You---"

"Shhhhhhh!" The man then hissed slowly. "You just wait for the playdate, Raphael Gamaliel Smith. When that happens, I'll be sitting in the front row to witness your downfall."

Putting on a relaxed expression, Alfonso then rose from his seat. He left Raphael alone, whose face was red while holding his chest. He suddenly felt pain.

This time, Raphael was sure that Alfonso's threat was no joke. For that, he must immediately rack his brain to devise a strategy so that what his rival has just said doesn't happen or the story ends.