Chapter 184

#183 “He Deserves to Know the Truth.”

In a whirlwind of panic and adrenaline, Alexander and Sophia bundled Ben into the car and raced to the hospital, their hearts pounding with fear and worry. The drive felt like an eternity, each passing moment filled with anxious anticipation as they prayed for Ben’s safety.

Upon arrival, they burst through the hospital doors, their faces etched with concern as they pleaded for help. Nurses and doctors sprang into action, wheeling Ben away on a stretcher as they assessed his injuries.

Sophia’s hands trembled as she signed the necessary paperwork, her mind a jumble of frantic thoughts. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing Ben, he was her childhood friend.

As they waited for news on Ben’s condition, time seemed to stretch on endlessly. Alexander paced the sterile corridors, his footsteps echoing in the empty hallways as he struggled to contain his anxiety.

Alexander might not have liked Benjamin, but he would never want anything bad to happen to him.

Finally, a doctor emerged from the operating room with an update – Ben’s injuries were serious, but thankfully not life-threatening. Sophia breathed a sigh of relief, her shoulders slumping with exhaustion and relief.

With Ben stable for the time being, Sophia made the decision to stay by his side until he regained his strength. Alexander offered his support, knowing that Sophia needed him now more than ever.

As they settled into the uncomfortable hospital chairs, Alexander thought it was time to tell Sophia the truth about Benjamin.

“Sophia, there’s something I need to tell you,” he began, his voice hesitant as he braced himself for her reaction.

Sophia turned to him, her brow furrowed in confusion. “What is it, Alex? You look so serious,” she said, her voice tinged with concern.

Taking a deep breath, Alexander plunged ahead, his words tumbling out in a rush. “Sophia, Ben… he’s not just your childhood friend. He’s your half- brother.”

Sophia’s eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling with disbelief at Alexander’s revelation. “What?” she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper. “How is that possible?”

Alexander hesitated, his heart heavy with the weight of the truth he was about to reveal. “Your father…

and Ben’s mother,” he explained, his voice faltering as he struggled to find the right words.

Sophia’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes brimming with tears as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. “Oh my God,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “I had no idea. Who told you that?”

“It was my mother,” Alexander admitted, his tone tinged with regret. ” She confided in me before everything unfolded.”

Sophia’s eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling with the revelation. “Your mother?” she repeated, her voice barely a whisper. “But why would she keep it a secret for so long?”

Alexander’s gaze softened with understanding as he considered Sophia’s question. “I think she wanted to shield us from the pain and turmoil that revealing such a truth might cause, “he explained, his voice gentle as he reached for Sophia’s hand. “Perhaps she hoped that by keeping it hidden, she could protect our families from further harm.”

Sophia’s brows furrowed with concern, her heart heavy with the weight of the revelation. “But keeping something like this a secret… it only breeds more pain and confusion,” she murmured, her voice tinged with sadness. “I wish she had trusted us enough to tell us sooner.”

Alexander squeezed her hand reassuringly, offering her a small smile of comfort. “I know, Sophia. But she did what she thought was best at the time,” he said softly, his tone filled with understanding.

“Sophia, I think we need to tell Ben the truth,” he suggested, his tone gentle but firm.

Sophia shook her head, her eyes clouded with worry. “No, Alex, we can’t, ” she said, her voice trembling with uncertainty. “Not now, not while he’s still recovering. It would be too much for him to handle.”

Alexander sighed, knowing she was right. “Okay, we’ll wait,” he agreed, his voice tinged with resignation. “But we can’t keep this from him forever, Sophia. He deserves to know the truth.”

Sophia nodded, her shoulders sagging with the weight of their secret. “I know, ” she whispered, her voice barely audible above the hum of the hospital machinery. “But for now, let’s focus on helping him get better.”

“Okay, Sophia,” Alexander said. “I think we should go home and get some sleep.”

“But what if Benjamin wakes up?” Sophia asked, her brows furrowing with worry.

“I’ll call someone to take care of him. You need to rest, and there’s no point in sitting here,” Alexander reassured her, his tone gentle yet firm. “He’s out of danger now. I’ll be more useful if you’re rested.”

Sophia hesitated for a moment, torn between her desire to stay by Benjamin’s side and her need for rest. Finally, she nodded in agreement, knowing that Alexander was right. ” Okay, let’s go,” she said, her voice resigned yet determined.

As they made their way out of the hospital, Sophia couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt that gnawed at her insides. She knew they couldn’t keep the truth from Benjamin forever, but for now, she pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the present moment and the task at hand: getting some much-

needed rest before facing whatever challenges tomorrow might bring.