Hidden Desires - Family Secrets-Chapter 50 - 0 Mom, have I done something wrong lately?

"Mom, why won’t you sleep with me tonight? You used to say that you would when he’s not home," Michael finally asked cautiously after Betty had tucked him into bed and was about to head to her own room.

"Michael, remember, don’t call your dad ’him.’ If you’re comfortable, call him ’Dad,’ or at least ’Uncle,’ okay?" Betty’s face flashed with annoyance, as if Michael’s reference to his father as ’him’ was disrespectful.

"Oh, sorry..." Michael noticed Betty’s slight anger and his face showed a genuine sadness, reflecting how much he cared about her opinion.

"Michael, remember, he is your dad. When he comes back, try to accept him, okay? Do you know how hard he works for our family? And the risks he takes? "

"You’ll understand when you’re older. It’s tough to appreciate the cost of living and the sacrifices of parents until you’ve experienced it yourself," Betty softened as she saw Michael’s expression. She moved closer and hugged his head, but Michael, slightly upset, didn’t fully lean into her, keeping his distance.

"And it’s not that I don’t want to sleep with you, it’s just that you’re growing up and should start sleeping on your own. You’re a big boy now, you should start being independent, and..." Betty seemed to feel that the rest of her words were too sensitive, so she didn’t continue. She noticed Michael was getting upset, so she softened her tone.

"Tonight, I’ll sleep with you one more time, but just this once. After that, you need to learn to stand on your own two feet, not cling too much to mom, okay? I hope you can be strong and stand tall like your dad someday." Betty saw that Michael was still silent, knowing he was still upset. It’s normal for kids.

"No need, Mom. Starting tonight, I’ll sleep by myself..." Michael, somehow triggered by the conversation, was unusually stubborn.

Betty sighed deeply, slowly releasing her embrace and walking out of Michael’s room. After she left, Michael pounded the mattress with his fists, then turned over, pulled the covers over himself, and buried his face in the pillow. He felt a growing distance from Betty, deeply hurt by the space she put between them after his words.

The scene shifts to Betty’s bedroom. After returning, she changed into her conservative pajamas and stood thinking on the floor for a long time before shaking her head with a wry smile. Betty turned off the bedroom light but didn’t go back to bed. Instead, she walked slowly towards Michael’s room.

The door to Michael’s room creaked open, and Betty turned on the light to find Michael with his head buried under the covers. When he heard the door open, the figure under the covers shivered.

Betty took off her slippers, then lay down on the bed, her face showing helplessness. She embraced Michael and struggled to pull the covers from his head.

Michael was sweating profusely, perhaps from being under the covers too long, but as Betty moved his face towards her, she could clearly see that Michael was crying. Yes, really crying—a 14-year-old boy in tears.

Betty was taken aback, as she knew Michael hadn’t cried in front of her even when he lost his parents.

"Michael, why are you crying? What’s wrong? Talk to mom... Are you feeling okay?" Betty suddenly sat up, clearly flustered, shaking Michael gently, but he remained tight-lipped.

"Did something I say earlier hurt your feelings?" After a moment, it seemed Betty had an epiphany.

Hearing this, Michael turned his head away again, silent, just quietly crying.

"Michael, I’m really sorry if I upset you. Please, don’t be sad, okay?" Betty wrapped her arms around him from behind, whispering words of comfort.

From the outside, with Betty and Michael being nearly the same height and Michael’s more robust build, they could be mistaken for a couple, where the woman is comforting her upset and heartbroken partner.

"Mom, have I done something wrong lately? Why aren’t you as nice to me as you used to be?" After calming down a bit, Michael finally stopped crying. Perhaps it was only when he cried that she could see he was still just a kid.

Michael finally voiced his inner thoughts, knowing he needed answers tonight. Perhaps after losing his parents, the closest and most cared-for person in his life was Betty. To Michael, Betty represented a true form of love, which he saw as both maternal and romantic.

"Ah, Michael, you’re overthinking it. You haven’t done anything wrong. You’re a good kid, it’s just..." Betty finally understood why Michael had been so upset recently. She had noticed his hesitations to speak and his not being as lively as before. She had asked him about it, but he hadn’t said anything. Now, Betty finally knew the answer.

But there were things she couldn’t say outright, like how she needed to keep a distance because Michael was hitting puberty, and she didn’t want to negatively impact his development.

"Just what?" Michael couldn’t help but ask, his face full of curiosity and eagerness to know.

"It’s just that you’re growing up, and as a woman, I need to maintain a certain distance to avoid negatively impacting your development. After all, you’re a big boy now; you shouldn’t always think about sleeping with mom, right?"

Michael understood what Betty was implying. He knew she recognized his maturity and was keeping her distance for his own mental and emotional well-being.

"Mom, I get it. Let’s go to sleep..." After saying this, Michael covered his face with his hands and quieted down.

"Michael..." Betty, seeing Michael’s expression, felt helpless and unsure of what to say next.

"Mom, no need to say more, I understand. I’m just used to your care, used to everything as it is. After losing my parents, you’re all I have left. You’re doing this for my sake, but it’s just hard to get used to feeling like there’s no love left in the world."

"Don’t worry, mom, I’ll get used to it. Just give me some time..." Michael covered his face with his hands, his voice breaking.

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These words were heartfelt. For Betty, the sincerity in his eyes wasn’t fake. Betty held a high place in his heart.

Seeing how much Betty cared and even scolded him out of concern, Michael felt deeply hurt, viewing it from the perspective of a man looking at the woman he loves.