"Michael, after such a long treatnt, you must be exhausted. Let's take it easy today. You've just t your father, so why not stay ho tonight? I'll have soone pick you up tomorrow..."
I was about to broach the subject of staying the night with Michael when Luna stepped in and eased the situation.
Michael seed genuinely pleased by the suggestion, likely craving a break from the constant dical supervision and dication—a taste of freedom, however brief, like a prisoner granted a day's leave.
Betty looked up sharply, surprise and confusion evident in her eyes.
She knew that without my agreent, Luna wouldn't have made such a proposal.
Quickly, Betty rushed to my side and grabbed my hand, her palm slightly damp.
Was it the heat, or was it nerves?
"Did you finish buying the clothes?"
I asked Betty and Michael.
"We still need to get Michael's clothes. He insisted we shop for you and first; he wanted to be last..."
Betty responded, her voice tinged with an unnatural edge.
"Let's go then... After we're done, we'll head ho."
With that, we resud our shopping.
During the shopping spree, I ended up carrying nurous bags, playing the role of a pack mule.
Luna, being a woman who enjoyed shopping, hit it off with Betty, and they chatted nonstop.
After we got Michael's clothes, Luna even picked out sothing for herself.
By the ti we got ho, my feet were numb, and I was drenched in sweat.
I collapsed on the sofa, unwilling to move, while Michael, who had carried even more than I had, seed unfazed by the physical exertion.
He went upstairs without showing any signs of fatigue.
Perhaps fearing awkwardness in our family gathering, Luna, who usually kept to herself, also ca over.
She was probably worried about and wanted to help ease the atmosphere at ho.
In the kitchen, Betty and I prepared dinner while Michael and Luna stayed in the living room.
At the dinner table, despite Michael's liveliness and Luna's efforts to lighten the mood, a palpable tension hung in the air.
After dinner, Luna left, her eyes conveying worry and encouragent as she departed.
Her departure shifted the atmosphere at ho.
Suddenly, it was quiet.
No one spoke.
Betty, Michael, and I each occupied ourselves with different tasks.
Michael smiled at Betty and before retreating to his bedroom.
He left the door open and began organizing his things.
Since he was facing away, I couldn't see if his expression matched his outward calm.
The atmosphere at ho felt awkward.
Betty tidied up the house while I sat on the sofa watching TV, each of us absorbed in our own activities.
My mind wasn't really on the TV; I was pondering how to get through the night.
After finishing her chores, Betty glanced at before retreating to the bedroom and didn't co out again.
I sat on the sofa, my attention drifting from the TV, wondering if I should talk to Michael.
Was this night going to pass in silence?
Just as I was contemplating this, Michael erged from his bedroom, dressed neatly.
He glanced at , then at the closed door of our bedroom, and without a word, sat down beside on the sofa.
"I really don't like this atmosphere..."
Michael's sudden statent broke the silence, hinting at his discomfort now that Luna wasn't there to diate.
I just looked at him, puzzled.
"Things have happened that can't be undone, but hopefully, ti will heal all wounds.
I'm planning to go abroad to study, to change the way I live.
When I'm truly grown up, I'll give myself a different future.
All I hope is that you and mom can live happily, and that we all move past this pain soon..."
Michael spoke softly, his words reflecting a maturity that seed to have developed rapidly over these two short months.
Hearing Michael had already charted his own course, I couldn't help feeling a mix of emotions.
Though Michael's close relationship had deeply hurt , I also owed an apology to both him and Laura.
Perhaps this was just a case of what goes around cos around.
"Let's finish the treatnt with the doctors before making any decisions. It's too early to talk about these things... I hope you can return to a normal, sunny life, full of positivity and success."
Hearing Michael's words, I almost blurted out for him to stay, but considering his unclear condition, it seed best to wait until all treatnts were completed.
"Alright, coming back to this ho really stirs up mixed feelings—sweetness, sadness, fear. If I can ever truly co back here, I hope it's only filled with happiness. Get so rest now, goodnight, Dad..."
After saying this, Michael got up and returned to his bedroom, followed by the sound of his door clicking shut.
After watching TV for a while, I too headed back to our bedroom.
Betty wasn't on her phone as usual but was lying quietly in bed, seemingly asleep.
I changed into my pajamas and slowly got into bed beside Betty.
The room fell silent, setting the stage for a sleepless night.
Betty's breathing was even, but it was clearly forced, a facade of calm.
Her inner turmoil was palpable, and with an extra person in the house, my own mind was restless, too disquieted even to think about sleeping despite the day's fatigue.
After what felt like an eternity, I finally drifted into a fitful sleep.
When I woke the next morning, the room was dimly lit by the early dawn.
I didn't move, just quietly opened my eyes, my hand resting on my forehead—a common sleeping position for .
Squinting, I noticed Betty wasn't lying in bed but was sitting up, back against the headboard, staring out the window.
She hadn't realized I was awake and just kept looking out, focused and silent, either having just woken up or perhaps not having slept at all.
I didn't make a sound, just watched her from the corner of my eye.
Betty stared out the window for what seed like ages, eventually letting out a silent sigh.
She turned her head towards , and when our eyes t, she instantly beca flustered, at a loss for words.
I slowly sat up, mirroring her posture against the headboard.
"Didn't sleep all night?"
I spoke to Betty, my tone and gaze devoid of bla.
"No, I just woke up a little while ago..."
Betty's voice steadied as she replied.
"It was Michael's door closing that woke . I've been a light sleeper lately..."
Before I could respond, Betty added.
Hearing Betty's words, confusion flickered in my eyes. Michael's door closing? Had he been in our room? "
"Michael's door closing?" I blurted out, my nerves getting the better of .
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