Hidden Desires - Family Secrets-Chapter 188 Despite Betty’s infidelity, I wasn’t going to cheat

"Is Michael coming back to your place tonight, or is he going home?"

At this moment, I remembered this practical question.

Initially, I only knew that Luna brought Michael to meet us, but now the question arises: should he go home to stay the night?

It seems we hadn’t considered this before.

Now that we’ve met and had dinner, it’s time to discuss what comes next.

"The doctor recommends that he should go home, the three of you together for the night.

After all, you two are Michael’s emotional anchors, and the same applies to more real-life scenarios.

Let him stay at home for the night, then observe his reactions.

Based on his condition, the medical team can understand more about Michael’s illness and plan the next steps..."

Luna said this with a hint of inquiry in her eyes, as if everything still required my approval.

"Alright, let Michael go home then. Have you talked to him about it?"

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

I didn’t think too much, just followed the doctor’s advice and arrangements.

"Not yet... I needed to hear your opinion first..."

Luna nodded gently as she spoke.

"Since you agree, I’ll have someone prepare your house, install some temporary surveillance equipment to monitor Michael’s reactions throughout the night, especially when he’s alone.

People can disguise their true feelings, so we must secretly monitor him.

During this time, Michael is under constant surveillance by me and the medical team, so it’s necessary to install equipment in your home as well..."

Luna seemed somewhat reluctant to say this, as installing surveillance equipment in my home and having it inspected by the medical team could potentially expose secrets.

After all, this involves personal privacy.

I had never told anyone about the surveillance in my home, not even Luna had noticed, and now I was worried that Luna’s people might discover the system, given their professionalism.

"The installation shouldn’t be complicated, right? But I’ll handle it myself. Give me the equipment, and I’ll install it myself. Once Michael is home, the devices will be immediately removed..."

After I said this, Luna nodded, then pulled out her phone...

Luna called some people over with the equipment.

I rode with them to my apartment building, but I didn’t let them come up.

On the way, I asked about the installation process, which was similar to the covert recording devices we journalists use, so it wasn’t difficult.

I insisted on installing it myself and not letting these people into my home, which Luna and her team understood, given the need for privacy in a personal home.

Actually, this surveillance equipment was completely unnecessary, as my home already had a system installed.

However, to avoid suspicion, I still installed the new equipment, placing it in Michael’s bedroom, as it was only meant to monitor him.

After the installation, I quickly went downstairs and returned to Luna’s location, taking less than an hour in total.

After meeting up with Luna, we briefly chatted, and she gave me some instructions.

As we walked and talked, we unknowingly ended up in the city’s largest shopping mall.

We were just aimlessly walking, discussing various things, but as time passed, I found it hard to concentrate, not because of anything else but because of Betty and Michael, who had been out shopping alone for an hour.

It was supposed to be a simple mother-son shopping trip, but given past experiences, I couldn’t help but worry.

However, on second thought, shopping is time-consuming, especially buying clothes, as one needs to choose carefully, and the malls are filled with a dazzling array of garments.

"Look, what a coincidence..."

As I was pondering, Luna suddenly spoke up, pointing ahead, just as we were walking through the mall, originally planning to find a seating area to rest.

Following Luna’s gaze, I spotted Betty and Michael shopping in the clothing section.

The mall was bustling, making it impossible for Betty and Michael to notice us.

Perhaps only someone as sharp as Luna could spot them in such a crowd.

Betty and Michael were picking out clothes, seemingly more at ease after an hour alone together.

Michael was his usual cheerful self, and Betty seemed less stiff, occasionally managing a small, albeit somewhat forced, smile.

Now, she was engaging more freely with Michael.

Michael was laden with bags, suggesting their shopping was nearly complete.

Yet, they stood in the men’s section—were they picking something out for me?

But I was mistaken; after Betty chose a shirt, Michael tried it on.

Given our stark difference in build—me being rather slender and Michael robust—it was hard to believe we were related without the DNA proof.

"How about it? Seeing them so jovial together, does it still bother you?"

Perhaps my facial expression gave me away because Luna, standing beside me, voiced her concern without a trace of mockery, only worry—she seemed to understand the pain in my heart.

I glanced at Luna, noncommittally nodding before letting out a deep sigh.

"It’s okay, it’ll get better. Just keep a level head. Since you’ve chosen to accept this, start to trust. After tonight’s observation, you’ll feel much more at ease..."

As Luna spoke, she gently took my hand.

Her touch was soft and warm, a stark contrast to the usual cold, and it seemed to transfer warmth straight to my heart, calming me.

When I snapped back to reality and saw Luna holding my hand, I instinctively pulled away.

Despite Betty’s infidelity, I wasn’t going to cheat.

I needed to maintain my integrity.

That night with Luna wasn’t my choice; it was coerced by Betty and Luna.

But I wouldn’t betray my love and marriage.

As I withdrew my hand, I caught a fleeting glimpse of disappointment in Luna’s eyes, though she masked it well.

After all, I had been intimate with her, and she had been nothing but good to me.

I owed her a lot.

If it weren’t for Betty, I might have reciprocated Luna’s feelings, but it was too late for regrets now.

All I felt was a deep sense of guilt and helplessness.

Money? She didn’t need it. Power? She had plenty.

She was superior to me in every way—what could I possibly offer her?

After pulling my hand away, I walked towards Betty and Michael, with Luna following close behind.

As we approached within twenty meters of Betty and Michael, I stopped again.

Michael, having tried on the shirt, seemed unsure how to adjust it properly—he was still just a kid.

Betty hesitated for a moment before stepping forward to help him straighten the shirt and tuck it in.

In doing so, her hands unavoidably brushed against Michael’s chest.

Michael appeared nonchalant, his eyes fixed on his reflection in the mirror.

Betty also seemed at ease, though a blush crept over her cheeks as she adjusted his shirt—whether from the shopping or something else, I couldn’t tell.

Michael remained calm, but his nonchalance seemed slightly forced.

Their actions rooted me to the spot, a spontaneous reaction, while Luna, startled by my sudden halt, looked on knowingly.

After a brief pause, I continued forward.

These were normal interactions; I was just being overly sensitive.

Time would change everything; I just needed to adapt.

Since Michael was facing the mirror, he was the first to spot us through his reflection and quickly turned to greet us.

Betty, having just finished adjusting Michael’s shirt, stood up and saw me and Luna.

She instantly tensed up, clearly nervous about having just been fixing Michael’s clothes.

She glanced at me nervously, reverting to her timid demeanor.