Hidden Desires - Family Secrets

Chapter 195 Justin... I'm sorry Part1

The journey ahead was entirely orchestrated by Luna, and I found myself merely a puppet trailing beside her.

Throughout the trip, she visited numerous places, seemingly tireless, shedding her usual icy demeanor for the playful exuberance of a young girl.

She hopped from one attraction to another, and I captured countless photos of her, though we never shared a frame together.

She had asked for a joint photo, but I declined, fearing any evidence might later surface to betray us to Betty.

A flicker of sadness crossed her eyes when I refused, but she quickly masked it with a bright smile, as if brushing off any hint of displeasure.

On the plane, I confessed to Luna about lying to Betty.

She understood and promised to keep it between us, which eased my mind considerably.

Regret gnawed at me aboard that flight; I couldn't fathom why I had lied to Betty in the first place.

It would have been simpler to be honest from the start.

If Betty ever discovered the truth, I'd be at a loss for words, so I resolved to come clean once we returned.

Curiously, Luna led us to places I had visited before, spots she had secretly photographed from my past.

Once, atop a mountain, her gaze carried a blend of melancholy and solitude.

Seeing her like that tugged at my heartstrings.

I knew she harbored feelings for me, but my heart belonged to Betty.

Grateful for her kindness, I silently vowed to make it up to her in another life, for in this one, we were not meant to be.

Luna had initially planned a twenty-day trip with me, and I counted each day, cautious not to slip up.

Before leaving, I told Betty that my business trip was complex and that I had to turn off my phone, which meant no contact with her.

Perhaps it was fear of hearing Betty's voice that lessened my guilt.

On the nineteenth day, Luna suddenly decided to return home, catching me off guard.

It was only on the plane that I learned she wanted to spend her last day at her villa.

"What a pity this trip is..." Luna sighed as we sat in her luxurious private jet.

"Why do you say that? Haven't you enjoyed yourself?" I asked, puzzled by her sigh.

"How can I enjoy myself when someone else isn't happy?" Luna playfully winked at me.

"I've actually had a good time, too. It's been a while since I've felt this relaxed..." I stretched lazily, my words a mix of truth and pretense.

Disconnecting from everything had indeed been a rare peace.

At work, it was Luna who had arranged my leave.

I only raised my glass when she did, to keep up appearances.

Soon, my glass was empty, and I was full.

"Are you full?" Luna asked, reaching over with a napkin to wipe my mouth.

"I've got it..." I dodged quickly, taking the napkin from her hand and wiping my mouth myself.

"Ah... remember this bed behind you?" Luna's eyes dimmed a bit when I pulled away, then she gestured towards the large bed behind me.

"Yeah, what about it?" I glanced at the bed, memories flashing in my mind, but I kept my face neutral.

"You've slept in this bed for several days, and also..." Luna's voice trailed off, her cheeks flushing with a hint of shyness.

"It's been 32 minutes... about time..." I didn't pick up where Luna left off, unsure of what to say about those sensitive topics.

But then Luna glanced at her watch and mentioned a time that baffled me.

"What..." I was more confused now.

Ever since Luna asked me to accompany her, my confusion had only grown.

But just as I began to question her, a wave of dizziness hit me, and my body felt weak, as if I were drunk.

Could it be the aftereffects of the wine?

No, that couldn't be right.

I'd only had a small glass, and that amount of alcohol was nothing to me.

"You..." Even a fool would realize by now—someone had drugged me.

And in Luna's villa, the only person who could have done it was Luna herself.

I tried to confront her, raising my hand, but it fell limp before I could complete the gesture.

I slumped over the table, conscious and able to see everything, but utterly powerless.

"Justin... I'm sorry, I hope you can forgive me..." I heard footsteps as Luna approached, her hand caressing my cheek as she murmured.

My cheek rested on the table, my eyes only catching sight of Luna's slender waist, unable to see her face.

But I felt cold droplets fall on my cheek.

I had experienced something like this before, but last time it was an electric shock, this time it was drugs.

Was this another scheme by Luna and Betty, or was it just Luna?

What exactly was Luna planning?

I remembered the bed behind me, where once a bright red blossom had unfolded, a symbol of Luna's lost innocence...