The Accompanying Wives' Secret

To help my child prepare for the high school entrance exam, I moved into a shared apartment across from his school.

This place was filled entirely with parents who had come to accompany their children.

Besides cooking every day, we had nothing else to do.

Over time, lonely middle-aged men and women living in close quarters inevitably developed certain connections.

Through an introduction from the woman next door, I ended up sleeping with a man.

I even joined what they called their social gatherings.

----

My name is Ayla Anderson.

I am the mother of a fifteen-year-old.

To ensure my son succeeded in his high school entrance exam, I moved into a shared apartment near his school during his final semester.

My sole purpose was to prepare his meals every day.

The saying "parents will do anything for their children" could not be more true.

Almost everyone living in this building was a parent just like me.

Besides cooking for our kids, we had nothing else to occupy our time.

During our free hours, small groups would gather to chat.

Today at your place, tomorrow at mine.

As time passed, it was inevitable that something would happen.

It was only by chance that I discovered the secrets hidden within these walls.

One Monday night, I got up to use the communal restroom.

Before I even stepped outside, I heard Tessa Evans's急促 cries from next door.

They were followed by a man's voice.

I froze for a moment.

My eyes flickered.

I bit my lip with a hint of envy.

My husband was always busy with work.

Since I moved here, I hadn't seen him at all.

Naturally, we had no intimate life.

After such a long time, I was already struggling to cope.

Now, hearing Tessa and her husband next door pushed me over the edge.

I stood quietly by the wall, listening to the sounds from next door.

I sighed softly.

Then I opened the door and went to the communal restroom.

When I returned, I paused outside Tessa's door.

The light inside her room was still on.

It seemed her husband was staying the night.

I went back to my room and lay down on the bed.

My mind was filled with the sounds I had just heard.

Her husband seemed quite impressive.

That night, I couldn't sleep.

I finally dozed off at some unknown hour before dawn.

I had a dream.

In the dream, I was entangled with a man whose face I couldn't see.

When I woke up the next morning, I looked at the damp sheets and smiled bitterly.

What was wrong with me?

It had been years since I'd had such a dream.

How could a single night of stimulation from Tessa and her husband make me lose control like this?

I rubbed my temples.

I got up, washed the sheets, and made breakfast for my son.

My son attended a boarding school.

He only came to the building for meals each day before rushing back to the school across the street.

"Slow down, slow down."

I watched as my son quickly drank his oatmeal and devoured his donut sticks.

He wiped his mouth, grabbed another donut stick, and ran out.

"Mom, I'm late! Morning reading is about to start. I'm leaving!"

I watched his retreating figure with a pang of heartache.

These days, it wasn't easy for children to study.

"Ayla, didn't sleep well last night? I can see the dark circles under your eyes."

Tessa stood at my doorway, speaking to me.

I shot her a resentful glare.

"Don't even mention it. If it weren't for you, I would have slept just fine."

Tessa looked puzzled. "What did I do?"

I pulled her inside and whispered my complaint.

"Your husband came over, fine. But couldn't you keep the noise down? You're satisfied, but I'm still starving here! Are you trying to tease me?"

Tessa's eyes shifted.

She looked at me and suddenly laughed.

She leaned in mysteriously and whispered something in my ear.

My eyes widened immediately.

"My husband is away on a business trip. That wasn't him last night."

"What? Not your husband? Then you..."

I stared at Tessa in shock.

Tessa gave me a disdainful look.

"Why are you so surprised? You haven't been here long. There's a lot you don't know about this place."

"This building is full of hardworking, devoted parents. But like you said, when you're alone for too long, you start wanting a man, right?"

"Don't deny it. I'm a woman too. I know how it feels."

"So, privately, we comfort each other. We help satisfy each other's physical needs."