At that mont, I felt a peculiar unease, sensing sothing off about Luna's tone over the phone, though I couldn't pinpoint why.
After work, I called Betty and then set out to et Luna.
Betty, well aware of the delicate dynamics between Luna and , never showed any overt dissatisfaction.
However, I could always catch a fleeting look of loneliness, tinged with jealousy, in her eyes whenever I t Luna alone.
It's only human, after all.
Upon arriving at Luna's mansion, I was surprised not to find her waiting at the door as usual.
The butler inford she was in the study.
When I opened the door, there she was, lost in thought, only snapping back to reality as I entered.
"I'm sorry, I lost track of ti and didn't co to greet you..." Luna hurried to her feet, her face flushed with a hint of panic.
"It's okay, I'm not a kid needing to be greeted every ti... What's wrong?" I sat down, noticing Luna's unusual deanor.
Knowing her as I did, she never appeared so distracted and out of sorts without good reason.
Sothing must have happened.
"It's nothing, just..." Luna hesitated, her eyes darting away, which only deepened my curiosity.
She was usually so decisive, not given to such hesitancy.
"What's going on?" I pressed, sensing urgency.
Could sothing serious have happened?
Sothing that involved , perhaps related to Betty or Michael?
Was there sothing I didn't know?
"Can you co with for a while?" Luna asked, taking a deep breath, her voice steadier.
"What? To do what?" I was taken aback by her request.
"Just to get away for a bit, to visit places I've wanted to see but haven't yet..." Luna seed embarrassed, a rare show of vulnerability from soone usually so composed.
"Luna, it's not that I don't want to go, but... Michael just got back, and it's not a good ti for to leave.
Besides..." I was truly torn.
Luna had helped countless tis, and I owed her a lot.
How could I refuse without ntioning that I was a married man?
Going away with her, what would that an for Betty?
Despite past grievances, I couldn't betray her.
"I know this is hard for you, but..." Luna's face showed a mix of pleading and apology, yet she stopped mid-sentence.
"Do you rember a promise you made to ?" After a pause, Luna's deanor shifted, her tone becoming assertive again.
"Of course, I rember..." That promise was a burden I had always intended to fulfill, but Luna had never pressed the issue until now.
"How about we settle it with that promise?" Luna's suggestion, her gaze averted, felt almost like coercion.
This wasn't like her.
What could possibly make her act this way?
I disliked being forced, but I was also a man of my word.
Reluctantly, I nodded.
Leaving Luna's mansion, I walked the streets filled with turmoil.
Why did Luna choose this mont to ask to accompany her?
Was it to disrupt my relationship with Betty?
That didn't make sense; Luna had been instruntal in our reconciliation.
The contradiction was baffling.
Now, the real challenge was figuring out how to explain this to Betty, a dilemma that seed insurmountable.
"I'm back..." I announced as I stepped through the door, spotting Betty waiting at the dinner table and Michael lounging on the couch watching TV.
Everything seed normal.
Betty quickly got up to fetch my slippers.
After spending these past few days together, any awkwardness had faded.
Years had passed, Michael had grown up, and the uncomfortable glances were no more.
"Why wait for ? You could have started eating..." I sighed, noticing the dishes still covered with a warming lid.
"It was Michael who insisted on waiting for you..." Betty glanced at Michael and then back at , her words warming my heart.
Having Michael back made truly feel like a father again.
After dinner, I lay in bed, eyes wide open, pondering how to break the news to Betty.
eting Luna was one thing, but going away with her, possibly for an extended period, was another.
How could I bring this up without risking the fragile peace we had so painstakingly rebuilt?
Even if Betty agreed, this could introduce a new rift between us.
I pride myself on my principles, and this situation was pushing my limits.
But that promise...
"I might need to go on a business trip in a few days..." I finally muttered after a long silence, imdiately regretting the lie.
I couldn't bring myself to tell Betty the truth, not out of guilt, but to avoid unnecessary worries and potential cracks in our restored relationship.
Losing her once taught to cherish what we have now.
"Oh... I'll pack so things for you tomorrow then..." Betty paused, her attention shifting from her phone ga to , nodding slowly.
She didn't ask how long I'd be gone, when I was leaving, or where I was going.
In the past, she would have inquired about all these details, but not this ti.
I understood why; after everything that had happened with Michael, she probably didn't want to seem overly suspicious, especially since she'd be alone with him while I was away.
"Mmm..." I replied, quickly closing my eyes, regulating my breathing to hide any sign of distress.
This was perhaps the first real lie I had told Betty, and it involved traveling with another woman.
Could this be considered an affair?
I had no choice but to reassure myself internally that nothing inappropriate would happen with Luna.
That one ti wasn't my choice, and I had to keep control.
Even if Betty found out, I could honestly claim I hadn't willingly crossed any lines.
The next afternoon, Luna's ssage caught off guard: we were leaving tonight.
I hadn't expected it to be so soon.
I returned ho, grabbed my luggage, and left under Betty's reluctant gaze.
As I stepped out, Michael repeatedly reminded to take care of myself, calling 'Dad' with each word, filling with guilt.
When I arrived at Luna's, she was already there waiting for .
"Sorry, I know you're reluctant, but... let's go... Don't worry, I'll have soone keep an eye on your house. You won't have to worry..." Luna said, her face showing a hint of apology as she t , her eyes avoiding mine.
"No need, tell your people not to disturb them, and from now on, don't let anyone pry into my family's privacy..." I responded, perhaps a bit coldly, influenced by the dissatisfaction brewing inside .
"Oh, okay..." Luna's face flushed slightly as she heard my tone, and then she nodded gently.
The reason I didn't want Luna's people watching over my ho was twofold.
Firstly, after all this ti, I had grown confident in Betty and Michael, and everything at ho was finally on track.
Secondly, even if sothing did happen, I didn't want others to know.
Luna's private jet took off, and I watched the city from the plane's window, flying higher and higher until only the clouds below were visible...
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