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?

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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.

The key turned in the lock with a click, and I pushed the door open, bracing myself for the worst, my nerves stretched to breaking point.

But as the door swung open, instead of chaos, I was met with the familiar scent of home.

The room was dark, but the light from the hallway faintly outlined the living room—quiet and empty.

As I stood puzzled at the doorway, a woman’s voice shattered the silence.

It was Betty, unmistakable and laced with panic.

"Who’s there?" she called out, her voice loud and fraught with fear.

Reacting instinctively, I flipped on the living room light.

Realizing Betty was indeed home, I deduced their tryst hadn’t taken place in the living room but in the bedroom.

The sudden brightness made me squint, but I quickly turned towards our bedroom.

The door was ajar, and there sat Betty, wrapped in a blanket, her face etched with terror.

I said nothing, stepping into the living room without even removing my shoes.

I approached the bedroom, my shadow stretching before me.

Perhaps Michael was still there, hidden in a corner of the bed.

But as I reached the doorway, I saw only Betty, her body shaking, clutching the blanket to her chest, her eyes wide with fear and dread.

It was then I remembered—I was still wearing a hat and a mask, making me unrecognizable to her.

Where was Michael?

I had clearly seen him drop Betty off, and I hadn’t spotted his car on my way here.

So, Michael hadn’t come to my place; he must have gone somewhere else.

Damn, I hadn’t caught them together.

It seemed Betty really did come home alone.

Now that I had calmed down, I thought it through.

It was impossible that Michael would have stayed here.

Betty had mentioned as she left the courtyard that she sensed something off in my voice over the phone, worried I might come home tonight.

That’s why she hurried back.

Knowing her concerns, why would she leave Michael here?

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.