My Husband Let My Child Die to Keep His Secret Love

Chapter 2

That afternoon, Hudson walked into the hospital room carrying a bag of Celia's favorite fruit.

"Celia, I came to see you as soon as I wrapped things up at the precinct. Did you get enough lunch..."

"Hudson, why did you make me wear that yellow dress on purpose? To lure out the serial killer?"

Lying in the hospital bed, Celia's voice trembled as she questioned him. Her hands, pressed at her sides, clutched the sheets.

Hudson met her bloodshot eyes. His throat bobbed, his face etched with guilt.

"I'm so sorry, Celia. Things were incredibly urgent yesterday. Our team couldn't find anyone suitable to act as bait, and we were terrified another innocent person would get hurt. That's why I... I had no choice but to put you in harm's way.

"This is all on me. Hit me, scream at me—I'll take it all."

Celia forced herself upright, and her tears finally spilled over.

"Hudson! Even if you couldn't find anyone else, you never should have used me! Do you have any idea what happened to us last night—"

Before she could finish, the door was shoved open.

Chelsea stood awkwardly in the doorway, looking at Celia with a face full of guilt.

"This is all my fault, Celia. The team originally planned to send me in as the decoy. Hudson thought I was too young and couldn't handle it, so he switched it to you at the last minute.

"I'm the one who should be apologizing. Please don't blame Hudson..."

"Enough!"

Hudson cut Chelsea off sharply, his handsome face cold with anger. "Chelsea, get out."

"But Hudson, I—"

Chelsea met his icy, stern gaze and said nothing more. She turned and walked out.

Watching this unfold, Celia felt utterly ridiculous.

A dull ache still throbbed in her abdomen. A cold sweat dotted her forehead.

'Hudson was worried Chelsea was too young, so he sacrificed me and our baby just to protect her future?'

How could she have been so blind to fall for someone like him?

Hudson lingered in silence for a long moment, then looked at the woman in the bed with unwavering guilt.

"Celia, this has nothing to do with Chelsea. I made the call because your build is similar to the previous victims'.

"The serial murder case had been at a dead end for way too long with no new leads. I couldn't risk another victim, so I had no choice but to ask for your help. I hope you can understand."

Celia stared at him, her eyes completely hollow. "And who's supposed to understand me? You were afraid something would happen to Chelsea—did you ever stop to think something might happen to me?"

"We had the entire perimeter secured. You were never in any real danger."

Hudson stepped forward unconsciously, desperate for her to believe him. "Celia, trust me. I would never let anything happen to you."

Just then, a soft knock came at the door.

Chelsea pushed it open, her face tight with urgency.

"Hudson, the precinct just called. A new case came in—you need to head back now."

Hudson looked at Celia with remorse, his voice noticeably softer.

"Get some rest. Call the nurse if you need anything. I have to go."

With that, he left in a hurry with Chelsea.

*****

Celia sat frozen for a long time. A single tear slipped into her hair.

After a long while, she dialed a number.

"Mr. Bennett, I've decided to join your medical research institute."

A voice brimming with excitement came through the line. "Really? When do you plan to come?"

"In a week. Once I've finalized the divorce, I'll leave right away."

Celia spoke quietly. Her clenched hand at her side slowly relaxed.

She was leaving this place to live the life that should've been hers all along.

He was never worthy of her love.