Hidden Desires - Family Secrets

Chapter 182 Did you tell her the time? Part1

I wasn't just upset; I was deeply repulsed.

It's not that I have a Madonna-whore complex, but the thought of Betty cheating after remarrying, especially with my own son, churned my stomach in indescribable ways.

Whenever Betty came near, vivid images of her and Michael, entwined naked and rolling around together, invaded my mind, sparking intense disgust.

Her touch tightened my skin in revulsion.

Initially, I relegated myself to the couch, but every morning, I'd find Betty asleep on the floor beside it.

Her persistence led to a severe cold, and reluctantly, I returned to our shared bed, determined to avoid any physical contact.

She seemed like a hedgehog, bristling at my slightest touch.

Despite this, Betty cared for me without complaint, always trying to start conversations to bridge the gap between us.

I could feel her efforts and the strain it put on her, realizing she felt my aversion.

Despite my resolve to reconcile, her touch still couldn't comfort me.

I considered seeking a therapist for myself.

During these two months, Michael was under Luna's care, undergoing intensive psychological therapy.

The regimen included counseling, suggestive therapy, and psychotropic drugs, which were harsh enough to cause nosebleeds.

It pained me, but I knew short-term pain was better than long-term suffering.

Luna also enrolled him in numerous camps, tours, and even international study programs to engage him with the world.

The top psychological teams crafted the best treatment plan for him.

Whenever Luna updated me on his progress, I felt a mix of relief and hope, easing the guilt towards Laura.

Michael's therapy reached a critical point; his issues with Betty and me were central.

He harbored hatred towards me and a twisted love for Betty.

Addressing this was essential, and Luna recently discussed it with me.

I dreaded facing Michael too soon, especially involving Betty.

Ideally, I wished they would never meet again, but was that realistic?

As I sat at the dinner table, pondering, I knew I had to decide how to discuss this with Betty.

Another dilemma was whether to reveal Michael's true identity to Betty.

Honesty is crucial in marriage, but if I kept this secret, with only Luna and Michael knowing, could it stay hidden?

If Michael disclosed it, how would Betty react?

Would she mind my past with Laura?

If it had been a simple fling, even with intimacy, Betty might cope.

But knowing Michael was my son, after her affair with him, could she accept this reality without reigniting past troubles?

Betty didn't speak further, but I knew her mind must be in turmoil.

"Don't you want to know how Michael has been lately?" I pressed, feeling the need to explain why Michael was coming home.

"I just want to live peacefully with you. Everyone else doesn't matter," Betty said softly but firmly.

Perhaps she still cared about Michael, but she had to choose, and she chose me.

"Michael has been staying with Luna, receiving psychological counseling. His childhood issues have left him somewhat twisted. He's been in therapy to better his future, and you and I are currently his biggest hurdles. His return is also about treating this issue."

This was probably the longest explanation I had given Betty in months, intended to clarify things so she wouldn't misunderstand or jump to conclusions.

The last thing we needed was more suspicion between us.

"Then... oh..." Betty started to say something but ended with that.

I didn't have the energy to guess what she meant.

"I'm telling you this to prepare you. Tomorrow, we'll go see Luna. She'll fill us in on the details and how we should approach Michael."

After saying this, I closed my eyes to sleep, but Betty's breathing remained troubled for a long time.

The next day at work, I got a call from Luna.

She invited me to join her and Betty for lunch at her place.

After notifying Betty, I hailed a cab straight to Luna's lavish villa as soon as my shift ended.

Betty, who usually gets off work before me, was supposed to be inside already.

Yet, there she was, standing at the front door, looking around anxiously, as if caught in a mix of hope and hesitation.

As I stepped out of the cab, Betty greeted me with a tentative smile and stayed close behind me as we approached the villa, her demeanor unusually subdued.

"Did you tell her the time?" Luna asked, eyeing Betty across the dining table where the three of us sat.

I simply nodded, trusting Luna to read between the lines of what was said and what was left unsaid.

"I need to give you a heads-up," Luna continued, her voice tinged with reluctance.

"Michael's mental health issues are far more severe than you might imagine.

Although the treatment has made significant progress, it hasn't achieved our goals yet.

We're letting him stay at home for a while for further treatment.

During this period, don't show him any coldness.

Offer him warmth and care, let him stop hating and rejecting you, and gradually accept you..."

It seemed Luna believed I should just confine Michael and keep him under watch forever, but for my sake, she was prepared to take a softer approach.

As Luna spoke, Betty's brow furrowed occasionally, her confusion apparent.

She was clearly out of the loop on these matters.

When the topic came up, her hands, hidden under the table, intertwined nervously.