After countless attempts, I finally gave up; the surveillance system was clearly malfunctioning due to lack of use and maintenance.
My mind was even more agitated now.
Without seeing what had happened at ho while I was away, I had a nagging feeling that things between the two of them weren't as calm as I imagined.
Michael was nearly an adult, at the peak of his sexual desires, and Betty was no different.
They had a past together, having enjoyed each other's bodies.
Alone together, could sparks not have flown?
I quickly sought out the seller of the surveillance system, hoping it could still be repaired and the saved videos restored.
But when I opened QQ, which I hadn't used in a long ti, I found the seller's avatar had turned gray, and the QQ age was now zero years, indicating the account had likely been recycled.
Yes, engaging in such secretive activities, who could guarantee everything would go smoothly?
I had completely lost contact with him.
Unable to reach the surveillance video seller, I was utterly disappointed and slumped back in my chair.
After a day's work, I barely made it to quitting ti, my mind filled with wild thoughts.
I made a decision to install a new surveillance system at ho.
Without the previous seller, I had to search online for a new one, but with stricter laws these past two years, it was a long and uncertain search.
When I got ho, Betty had already prepared dinner, and Michael was sitting on the couch watching TV.
Observing their normal expressions, I even doubted myself.
Maybe the underwear incident was just an unintentional coincidence.
Just a misunderstanding.
"Dad, I'll be leaving in about a week..." Michael suddenly said to at the dinner table.
Hearing his words, I quickly looked up at him, then at Betty.
Betty showed no surprise, apparently already aware of this news.
But when I looked at Betty, she avoided my gaze and kept her head down, eating her al.
Her reaction was expected, yet I felt sothing was off, but I couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.
"Planning to go back to Singapore to continue your studies?" I asked Michael.
Hearing this news, I felt unexpectedly relieved, lacking the sense of loss I had anticipated.
"Yeah, I might look for a job after finishing my studies in Singapore... We'll see when I get there, but I need to complete my remaining courses first," Michael replied vaguely after taking a bite of his food.
"Well, if life abroad isn't good, co back ho. Jobs here are just as good as overseas..." I responded, not entirely sure if my suggestion was heartfelt.
Dinner ended, and as I lay in bed, various thoughts flashed through my mind.
The broken surveillance system was a constant irritation, but knowing Michael would soon leave brought so relief.
For so reason, his presence made uneasy.
After cleaning up, Betty also returned to bed but avoided making prolonged eye contact with .
The mories that had faded with Michael's absence began to resurface with his return.
The distance that had once disappeared was rising again with his return.
"We should spend so ti getting Michael ready for his departure, like buying him clothes and getting everything he needs..." I said to Betty, who was busy on her phone beside .
"..."
Betty paused for a mont upon hearing my words, then responded faintly without looking at .
In the past, every night before we went to sleep, Betty would cling to my arm and snuggle close, but now, her attention was glued to her phone, a habit that had beco all too common.
Was she avoiding the awkwardness brewing inside her?
The incident with the underwear and Betty's behavior kept my doubts alive, despite my attempts to reassure myself.
All I could hope for now was for the day Michael would leave to co quickly.
A few days later, it was the weekend and Betty had the day off.
Due to my erratic work schedule, I was at the office while Betty and Michael were left alone at ho.
The night before, Betty had ntioned taking Michael out to shop for clothes during the day.
Sitting in my office, I couldn't help but let my mind wander.
Were they really out shopping for clothes, or were they at ho...?
My thoughts raced, and I couldn't calm down.
By noon, I was off work and sitting in the employee cafeteria, unable to eat.
Though I'm a workaholic and usually never go ho during my two-hour lunch break, today, I felt an urge to check on things at ho.
I deeply regretted not maintaining the surveillance system earlier.
If I had noticed it was broken, I could have fixed it and wouldn't be sitting here restless, unable to see what was happening at ho.
Finally, under the puzzled looks of my colleagues, I put down my lunch tray and utensils, having barely touched my food.
I left the office and hailed a taxi, heading ho.
On the ride, I agonized over what I would do once I got there and what excuse I could possibly make for my sudden return.
Caught up in my turmoil, I arrived at my neighborhood.
Looking up at the familiar house, I hesitated; my own ho now seed like a daunting place, as if entering it required more courage than I had.
I took a deep breath and slowly opened the front door, stepping inside and making my way upstairs.
Each step on the stairs echoed like a hamr striking my chest, making it hard to breathe.
I finally reached the front door of my apartnt.
It was closed tightly, and I found myself lacking the courage to open it.
I steadied my breathing and tried to calm my racing heart.
The atmosphere was eerily quiet.
I listened for any sound through the door but heard nothing.
Finally, I pressed my ear against the door, but still, silence.
Could it be that they weren't ho?
If they had gone out to buy clothes, they should have been back by now, probably having lunch.
Or were they engaged in a different kind of "lunch," one without words?
I wanted to use my key to open the door, but I found myself paralyzed.
What if I was confronted with the very scene I dreaded most?
Could I continue to maintain the familial and romantic relationships I had fought so hard for?
The pain from past betrayals was unforgettable, and I didn't want to experience it a second ti.
Yet, as ti passed, my anxiety to know the truth made it hard to breathe steadily.
I glanced at my watch; it was 12:20 PM.
Ti was running out before I needed to clock back in at work.
I knew I had to make a decision soon, with no ti left to dwell here.
I took out my keys, ready to insert them into the lock.
But before I could insert the key, I heard the sound of the downstairs door opening and then the laughter of a man and a woman.
It was no one else but my beloved wife, Betty, and my son, Michael.
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