Hidden Desires - Family Secrets-Chapter 199 Let’s just sleep...

Could Betty have forgotten that today was the day I was coming home?

If she did forget, what could have possibly made her?

Where were they at this moment?

Had something happened during my absence?

Despite my reluctance to believe it, and my confidence in our family, a wave of panic inevitably rose in my heart...

Standing alone at the front door, my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, recalling various incidents between Michael and Betty, and even that scene from two years ago when they were holding hands in the bathroom late at night...

I quickly shook my head, trying to dispel these troubling thoughts because the more I thought about it, the more frightened and worried I became.

Ever since I accepted Michael as my biological son, I had forced myself to trust him, pushing away any doubts that occasionally surfaced, all for the sake of returning our family to normalcy and rediscovering that warm, cozy feeling.

Sometimes, I wondered if Betty and I would still be happy now if Michael hadn’t come into our lives.

As I stood at the door lost in thought, I heard voices from downstairs—it was Betty and Michael.

Visit freewebnoveℓ.com for the best novel reading exp𝒆rience.

Since I hadn’t closed the door, their conversation in the stairwell was crystal clear.

They seemed to be coming upstairs, chatting and laughing about something amusing, and Betty’s giggles were unrestrained.

It seemed that in my absence, Betty and Michael had grown much closer, seemingly without any barriers between them.

This was exactly what I had hoped for, yet hearing Betty’s carefree laughter, why did a pang of jealousy hit me?

Was I actually feeling jealous?

"Ah... honey, you’re back! Why so early?" Just as I was pondering at the door, Betty’s voice came from behind me.

I quickly turned to face her.

"Yeah, I finished up early, so I came back..." I had initially told Betty I’d be home later in the evening, but after a fling with Luna, I was so flustered that I lost track of time and came home several hours early.

Fortunately, I was quick on my feet and managed to smooth over this lie, keeping my expression very natural.

At that moment, I noticed Betty and Michael each carrying bags full of groceries and household items.

"Dad..." Michael greeted me cheerfully, without a hint of awkwardness.

I nodded with a smile, while Betty seemed a bit uneasy, perhaps because of past incidents and my unexpected early return, which might have made her suspect I was trying to catch them in the act.

"Come on, change your shoes, what are you doing blocking the door..." Betty urged, a bit flustered.

I looked down and realized I was still standing at the door with my shoes on, blocking their way in with all their bags.

I smiled, set down my suitcase, and started changing into slippers.

"Did you guys buy all this stuff?" After changing, I took off my coat and sat on the sofa.

"Mom said you were coming home today, wanted to cook something nice for you..." Michael carried the groceries to the kitchen.

I glanced at their purchases—chicken, duck, fish, meat, and mostly vegetables.

It looked like I was in for a treat tonight.

I had thought Betty had forgotten the day I was coming home.

It turned out she remembered all along and had even prepared for my return.

Seeing this, I breathed a sigh of relief, and all my earlier worries vanished.

I had been overthinking.

If something had really happened between them, I would have noticed something off in their expressions.

Betty’s face might have been a bit unnatural, but that was understandable.

I couldn’t find any flaw in Michael’s demeanor.

As a journalist, my instincts were sharp, and I didn’t pick up on anything unusual, so I could be sure, as my sixth sense was usually very accurate.

Betty was bustling in the kitchen, and soon the delicious aroma of food wafted out—it seemed she was preparing some of my favorite dishes.

I sat motionless on the couch, chatting with Michael.

He had been home for 41 days now, and I hadn’t asked him how long he planned to stay.

Was it just a vacation, or was he here to stay?

Asking might seem like I was trying to push him out.

At the dinner table, the atmosphere was fairly harmonious.

Michael kept asking about my work and the business trip.

I had to lie, as I hadn’t actually gone on a business trip.

Thankfully, I had prepared a story during my time with Luna, although there were a few close calls where I almost slipped up.

Still, at the dinner table, my mind occasionally drifted.

The cheerful atmosphere at home made me think of everything with Luna, and I felt like a cheater.

Although the affair with Luna wasn’t intentional, the trip was, and it felt like I was sneaking around behind my family’s back.

Some might think this squared things with my wife, but I didn’t see it that way.

Had I been wrong from the start?

Maybe things would have been better if I had been upfront with Betty.

Given her nature, she might have forgiven and understood me.

"The business trip must have been exhausting..." Betty said as we lay in bed, her arm around me, her face close to mine, her breath fragrant.

I was on my phone in bed, trying to distract myself.

My mind kept flashing back to Luna, and I felt terrible and conflicted.

Was I developing feelings for her?

I’m not usually fickle, but I felt a twinge of fear.

"I already said at dinner, it wasn’t that bad..." I replied, a bit impatiently.

I didn’t want to talk about the trip; it felt like exposing my deceit.

"I know you said that, but I know you’re not telling the truth..." Betty sighed softly, her tone gentle yet piercing my heart.

Did she know?

Did Luna tell her?

My mind raced with possibilities, and I felt a chill.

"You always shield us from your worries, never sharing the dangerous stuff because you don’t want us to worry.

You sounded casual at dinner, but I know these past days have been much harder for you..." As I braced for judgment, Betty continued, her face pressed against my arm, her voice tender.

"Let’s just sleep..." I sighed with relief internally; it wasn’t what I feared.

I realized I was sweating.

I quickly changed the subject, avoiding further discussion.

"Honey, it’s been so long since you’ve been away... can we try again?" Just as I put down my phone and prepared to sleep, Betty looked up at me with a hopeful expression.

I knew what she meant.

Our sexual relationship had been almost non-existent; even when I could perform, I would lose my erection before climaxing.

We had tried everything, and I had become numb to it, but Betty never gave up, bringing it up again now.

In the past, I would have used tiredness as an excuse, but thinking of Luna... perhaps out of guilt, I didn’t refuse this time.