My Husband Let My Child Die to Keep His Secret Love

On the night of Celia Shaw's twenty-sixth birthday, her husband still hadn't come home. He just sent her a text. Hudson: Honey, last-minute overtime. Grab the cake first. I'll get there as soon as I can. She didn't think twice and went to pick it up. But on her way back, a stranger dragged her into the shadows. No matter how she struggled or screamed, she couldn't escape the savage attack. The pain in her abdomen grew sharper and sharper. She clutched her stomach, feeling something slipping away. She'd lost her baby. "Police! Freeze! You're under arrest!" A familiar shout cut through the haze. As her consciousness faded, Celia saw her husband, Hudson Payne. He ran toward her, his eyes full of guilt and anguish. "Honey, I'm so sorry. I was too late." ***** When she woke again, the sharp scent of antiseptic filled her nose and a stabbing pain still pulsed in her lower abdomen. Weakly, she propped herself up, hoping to find Hudson in the room. It was empty. Then, a girlish voice dripping with admiration drifted in from the hallway. "You're amazing, Hudson! "You actually came up with the plan to have Celia wear a yellow dress to lure out the serial killer. Now no more innocent people will get hurt!" "Shh, keep it down. You'll wake Celia." Hudson's voice was low, but every word reached Celia's ears with piercing clarity. Her mind went completely blank. A searing pain tore through her heart. That text telling her to pick up the cake. The yellow dress he'd given her as a birthday gift, asking her to wear it so they could celebrate together. 'He planned it all. He used me as bait to draw out a killer? 'Hudson, how could you be so cold?' Just then, his phone rang. Hudson answered immediately. "Ethan. Yeah, you need me? ... Okay, I'll bring Chelsea back to the station right now." He hung up and reached for the door, only to be stopped by Chelsea Lynn. "Hudson, if you go in now, you'll wake Celia for sure. We should head back to the precinct first." "...Fine." Hudson's reply was heavy, final. Celia heard only the sound of their footsteps retreating—quick, sharp, without a shred of hesitation. ***** A few moments later, a nurse entered and gently handed Celia a cup of warm water. "Ms. Shaw, would you like me to turn on the TV? It might help take your mind off things." Celia nodded numbly, her eyes red-rimmed and swollen. Her baby... never even got a chance to see the world. She was in no mood for television, but a news segment caught her eye anyway. "The lead officer credited with solving this serial murder case is intern patrol officer Chelsea Lynn! She has been awarded a First-Class Merit and granted early promotion to full police officer! "Please join us in welcoming Chelsea to the stage to accept her award!" Celia's hands twisted the blanket, her heart dying a final death in that moment. Hudson had handed all the credit to Chelsea. He'd sacrificed their unborn child just to secure her a permanent position. She touched her aching abdomen, and through her tears, a bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Hudson, you don't deserve to be the father of my child." Nor did he deserve to be her husband. 'A man whose heart has already strayed is more disgusting than trash. I want nothing more to do with him.'