Hidden Desires - Family Secrets

Chapter 086 Let's sleep, we have school tomorrow...

Between their eyes, I could almost see lightning bolts colliding and intertwining.

After locking gazes for a moment, Betty closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly turned back to the bedroom.

After placing the medicine in the drawer, she returned to the living room and sat down next to Michael on the sofa.

It seemed Betty had made a decision; a deeper conversation and negotiation between mother and son were imminent.

Betty moved to the edge of the sofa and sat down next to Michael.

She crossed her arms and remained silent.

Michael sat beside her, his head bowed in silence, occasionally glancing at Betty's profile.

Seeing her angry expression, a flicker of fear passed through Michael's eyes, quickly replaced by obsession.

For Betty, for what he believed was "love," he ultimately did not compromise.

They sat on the sofa, each lost in their own silence.

"Let's go back to school tomorrow. I'll try to meet your other demands, just not actual intercourse..."

After a long pause, Betty finally spoke, her words shocking me.

Betty had compromised, not agreeing to have sex with Michael, but this arrangement was still unacceptable to me.

Regardless, Betty had agreed to some of Michael's demands, and my sense of betrayal was palpable.

Hearing Betty's words, Michael suddenly looked up at her.

At that moment, Betty also turned to face him.

Excitement was unmistakable in Michael's eyes.

Although Betty hadn't agreed to have sex, there were many other things they could do, and this was a "good" start, indicating that Betty had accepted him to some extent.

He was pleased, feeling that his persistence had paid off, and he knew this was Betty's limit.

Pushing her further might lead to a disastrous end.

Michael remained silent, neither nodding nor shaking his head, no perverse reaction, just sitting there with a somewhat shy demeanor.

It infuriated me to see him seemingly acquiesce so meekly.

After saying this, Betty slowly stood up and walked back to her room, finally closing the door behind her.

Michael, thrilled, rushed back to his own bedroom.

Once in her room, Betty looked at the wall of photos of us, ultimately breaking down in silent tears, her face showing regret.

She had agreed to Michael's terms, but immediately regretted and felt helpless.

If given a second chance, she would have done everything to avoid this situation, but Michael had not given her that option.

In the afternoon, with swollen eyes, Betty emerged from her bedroom.

She went to the bathroom to freshen up and apply some makeup, then started preparing dinner.

After dinner was ready, Betty went to call Michael to eat.

As she approached his door, her face showed reluctance and helplessness.

Since she had already agreed to Michael's terms, she couldn't afford to create a distance between them, especially since his compromise had come at her own sacrifice.

Throughout the afternoon, Betty's face showed regret more than once.

She regretted agreeing to Michael's demands and perhaps even regretted agreeing to adopt Michael in the first place, which made it impossible for her to detach from the maternal bond and the cherished mother-son relationship.

If it were up to her, she would never be able to have children of her own, and Michael was her only hope.

She cared deeply for Michael, and I knew how desperately she longed for a child.

This situation, however, had backfired, leading to today's consequences.

The regret wasn't just Betty's; I felt it too...

Ultimately, Betty didn't knock but pushed open Michael's door, finding him sitting at his desk, studying.

Seeing this, a rare softness crossed Betty's face.

After returning to his room, Michael lay on his bed, buzzing with excitement for a long while before he got up to hit the books, showing an unusual diligence.

He felt victory in his personal battle was near.

"Dinner's ready..." Betty said softly, her voice slightly hoarse.

She then turned and walked back to the dining table.

Hearing Betty's call, Michael put down his book and pen, rubbed his cheeks to calm his excitement, and walked out of his bedroom with a feigned indifference.

The two sat at the dining table, each lost in their own thoughts.

Betty ate very little, her appetite nearly gone, just eating enough to sustain herself.

Michael, perhaps too elated, ate voraciously, making up for the meals he had missed over the past few days.

After dinner, Michael returned to his room to study, showing great enthusiasm as if to prove to Betty that her sacrifices were worthwhile.

When Betty finished cleaning up, she went back to her bedroom, changed into her pajamas, and sat on her bed, lost in thought.

She occasionally glanced at the clock, realizing time was slipping by, and she couldn't escape reality forever.

She put down her phone, stood up, looked back at our photos with a mix of guilt and resolve in her eyes, and then left her room.

Her departure looked decisive, like a soldier heading into battle, uncertain if she would return unscathed.

Betty stood in front of Michael's door, initially planning to avoid confronting the situation just for this night.

However, knowing that unresolved issues could lead to Michael skipping school again, she decided to face it head-on.

She stood at Michael's door for a long time before finally pushing it open.

Michael was still engrossed in his studies.

Betty walked over to the chair where she used to sit when helping him with his homework and glanced at his textbooks.

Michael turned and looked at Betty.

Seeing her in her conservative pajamas, a flash of disappointment crossed his face.

"I'm done studying, Mom. Do you want to check my work?"

Michael pushed his study materials and homework towards Betty after catching her glance.

Betty silently took Michael's homework and began to review it, taking deep breaths to calm her inner turmoil.

Previously, it was Michael forcing her, but this time she came on her own, albeit reluctantly.

After a while, she nodded slightly and put down the workbook.

Michael neatly packed his books and notebooks into his backpack, ready for school the next day.

After packing up, Michael stood still, and Betty also remained motionless on the bed, the room falling into an awkward silence as neither knew what to do next.

Finally, Betty sighed, then turned and lay down on the bed.

"Let's sleep, we have school tomorrow..."

After settling in, Betty pressed her wrist against her forehead, shielding her eyes, and spoke to Michael.

Hearing this, Michael knew that Betty was agreeing to share his bed tonight, a return to the happier days of the past.

Michael quickly climbed into bed and turned off the room light.