Hidden Desires - Family Secrets-Chapter 187 What’s really going on here? Part2

"Has he changed a lot?" Luna’s first words hung in the air, and I simply nodded without uttering a sound.

"You should know, the medical team I hired is among the best in the world. It’s no surprise they achieved such results...

You’ve only seen the outcome, not the grueling process. He’s been on countless psychiatric drugs, some so potent they caused nosebleeds," Luna spoke with a detached confidence, hinting at the unsaid.

I could only imagine the exorbitant cost of those medications, far beyond the reach of ordinary people.

"To be honest, when I saw Michael, I could hardly believe it myself. But after hearing from the team, it all made sense. Michael paid a heavy price...

You can learn more about the details from the doctor when you have time," Luna added, her confidence unwavering, prompting me to drop the subject.

As Luna and I stood up to walk towards Betty, Michael had just come off a ride, standing there with her, chatting about something.

He seemed perfectly normal, but Betty looked visibly tense, glancing my way as she spoke, her nerves apparent.

Seeing Michael so calm and collected, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was all a dream. Had he truly recovered? Could he really lead a normal life now? Why was I struggling to believe it?

The most uptodate nove𝙡s are published on frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓.

Michael, for his part, seemed utterly unaffected by his past, enjoying the amusement park as if nothing had ever happened.

It felt like we were all revolving around him, while Betty and I wore complex expressions, unsure of how to interact with him.

Betty, perhaps fearing I’d overthink, clung to my arm or held my hand, unwilling to let go.

Luna, catching sight of our intertwined hands, flashed a look of mixed emotions.

Watching Michael’s cheerful demeanor, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy. The more normal he appeared, the more abnormal it felt to me.

"When something seems too good to be true, it usually is," a saying that resonated with me from my years as a journalist.

Yet, my instincts weren’t always right. Even Luna hadn’t noticed anything amiss. Was I just being paranoid, once bitten, twice shy?

By noon, we all sat down for a strangely quiet lunch. Away from the noise of the amusement park, in this serene setting, there were no pretenses.

Michael, ever so obedient, helped us with chopsticks, called over the waiter, and managed our orders with a gaze that always seemed to pierce right through me.

As he passed us the utensils, calling us ’mom’ and ’dad,’ a chord struck deep within me. After all, he was my flesh and blood, though not Betty’s.

At the table, Luna and I became the focal points, carefully avoiding sensitive topics and sticking to work-related discussions.

Yet, our eyes seemed to convey more, words we couldn’t speak with Betty and Michael present.

I caught Betty and Michael exchanging glances a few times, a familiar tension between them.

Though they both looked away quickly, Michael’s eyes showed tranquility, while Betty’s displayed turmoil, a reflection of their past complexities.

The meal ended in an unusual atmosphere. As we left the restaurant in the afternoon, Luna and I exchanged a silent nod, leaving her to make the next arrangements.

After I nodded, Luna paused, her gaze shifting towards Michael and Betty.

"Michael, didn’t you say you wanted to buy some clothes for your mom and dad? Why don’t you go with your mom now?

Women’s clothing isn’t easy to pick, she needs to try them on herself. Your dad doesn’t need to come; your mom knows his size, right?" Luna said, her eyes flickering with an unreadable emotion as she looked at Betty.

Hearing Luna’s suggestion left both Betty and me stunned. Shopping for clothes, just Michael and Betty?

Before I could even process the idea, Betty numbly nodded, perhaps overwhelmed by Luna’s icy stare or caught off guard by the sudden plan.

Michael greeted us briefly before heading off. Betty glanced at me, then followed him with her head down, her hand slipping from mine as they walked away.

As our hands were about to part, I instinctively wanted to hold on, but ultimately, I let go.

Their voices faded into the distance. Michael walked casually, turning back to smile and chat with Betty, who seemed stiff, not quite able to relax.

Whenever Michael spoke, she just nodded slightly. They were too far for me to hear their conversation.

After a while, I realized Luna’s intent. By sending Michael and Betty off together, not only did it give us a chance to talk privately, but if Michael was to reintegrate into this family, his one-on-one time with Betty was inevitable.

It was a chance for them to break down their barriers and normalize their relationship, avoiding the awkwardness of not even being able to look at each other.

"What should we do next?" I asked Luna as we walked down the street, my mind gradually calming.

The situation was better than I had anticipated, but I was unsure of the next steps.

As someone directly involved, my thoughts weren’t clear, and I found myself increasingly relying on Luna, an observer whose advice was often more rational.

"Michael is doing well, but he still needs ongoing treatment. From what you’ve observed since your reunion, he’s been managing quite well.

The conservative approach would be to continue his treatment for a while longer, to solidify his progress.

If you’re not ready to have him fully back in your life, perhaps sending him abroad for education would be wise. I can ensure he receives the best," Luna said without hesitation, clearly having considered this beforehand.

Sending him abroad might deepen the emotional distance between us, especially since rekindling our father-son bond hasn’t been easy.

Would he think I’m keeping him at arm’s length? If his feelings towards me are genuine, wouldn’t this hurt him?

His current closeness could be seen as a natural return to familial bonds—if all this is true, wouldn’t I be pushing him back towards isolation?

"You make a good point... Maybe it’s time for him to come back into the family, even if it seems a bit sudden. He’s been improving, so I’ll consult the medical team for their advice and let them discuss it further," Luna responded, cautious not to make a definitive decision on such a sensitive issue, leaving it in the hands of her medical team.