Hidden Desires - Family Secrets

Chapter 224 It's me, I'm back...

The car halted inside the complex, a familiar yet unsettling silence enveloping the air.

I stepped out, my heart pounding as I approached the building's entrance.

The stairwell, unchanged yet stripped of any homely essence, greeted me as I ascended slowly, each step heavy with dread and contemplation.

What would I say upon catching them in the act?

Explode in anger or silently walk away, abandoning this so-called home just like before?

Reaching my apartment door, I hesitated, lacking the courage to enter.

Earlier, as I drove in, I had glanced at my apartment.

The lights were off, our bedroom curtains drawn, but Michael's room was exposed, curtains wide open.

Michael wasn't home.

Did that mean they were using our bedroom this time?

In the past, Betty at least had the decency to confine their liaisons to Michael's room, never ours.

And she had always been somewhat reluctant, never fully cooperative.

Tonight, I had only glimpsed the act of penetration in the living room, missing any foreplay.

It was unclear who initiated—Michael or Betty.

The living room curtains were now drawn.

They might have been making love there, completing what they hadn't earlier, or perhaps they were in our bedroom, under the watchful eyes of our wedding photo, indulging in their disgraceful union.

Despite my reluctance, I had to face whatever lay behind my door.

It was nearly midnight, the surroundings eerily quiet.

My hands trembled as I fished out my keys, yet I couldn't bring myself to unlock the door.

If they were in the midst of their act in the living room, just opening the door would reveal the shameful scene of their naked entanglement.

Like before, I pressed my ear against the door, listening for any sounds.

The door's excellent soundproofing offered no clues; perhaps they were indeed in the living room, keeping their voices down to avoid disturbing the neighbors.

Taking a deep breath, I aligned the key with the lock.

If I was to catch them, I had to be quick, giving them no chance to disengage.

Reflecting on this, I regretted my rashness.

Why hadn't I thought this through before storming in?

What now?

I had barged in, and now Betty was terrified, probably mistaking me for a burglar.

I quickly decided on a course of action to remedy the situation.

I turned on the bedroom light and removed my hat and mask.

I was wearing new clothes I had bought, leaving my usual attire and luggage in that cabin.

Betty should have been relieved to see it was me, but instead, she looked even more frightened, stuttering, unable to speak.

"It's me, I'm back..." I tried to keep my voice calm.

"Honey, how come you..." Betty eyed my outfit and disguise, her fear amplified by the mask and hat, similar to Michael's attire.

The suddenness of my return made her even more anxious, stuttering, unsure of what to ask.

"It's a long story..." I glanced at the front door, which I had left open in my rush to catch them in the act.

After saying that, I turned to close the door, my mind racing, trying to figure out how to smooth things over.

Since I hadn't caught them red-handed, I decided not to jump to conclusions.

I needed to understand the whole story before I could believe anything.

After closing the door, I took off my jacket and walked into the bedroom.

Betty watched me intently, her expression calming slightly, but the fear in her eyes lingered, as if awaiting judgment.

"There was a mishap on the business trip. We were doing undercover work, and our cover was blown. It was a close call getting back..." I sat on the edge of the bed, my voice tense.

This tension wasn't feigned; I was genuinely nervous.

Betty seemed to relax a bit at my explanation, knowing the nature and risks of my job.

We had faced a similar situation years ago, but that had been the only time until now.

"Are you safe now? Should we call the police?" Betty's voice still held a trace of disbelief.

Given her recent betrayal, she was understandably wary of fully trusting my explanation.

"No need. Didn't you notice anything odd when I called you a few hours ago? I was hinting for you to call the police then..." I recalled the phone call I had made to Betty, now using it to alleviate her doubts and avoid startling her further.

"I'm sorry, honey, I... I didn't pick up on it..." Betty's eyes flickered with realization as she stammered out her apology.