Chapter 2

Hudson's POV

On the other end of the line, Louis Stetson sighed and said, "Hudson, think it over again. You know what that case in Haddon is like. The killer has been moving from place to place and specifically targets people who are alone. If you go there by yourself, you'll be short-handed. Things could easily go wrong."

I clutched my phone, my knuckles turning white. I said, "I've made up my mind. I'll leave the day after tomorrow."

After hanging up the phone, I went to the local administrative office. Even though Rebecca had passed away, someone still had to take care of the death certificate paperwork.

Grace didn't have the time for that, but I wanted to settle Rebecca's affairs. She deserved to rest in peace.

I walked up to the counter and handed over the documents. "Hello, I'm here to have the death certificate paperwork done."

The clerk looked through the documents and asked, "What's your relationship to the deceased?"

"I'm her son-in-law."

When the clerk heard this, his expression shifted subtly. He typed a few things into the computer, then turned the screen toward me. "Sir, the system lists someone else as the deceased's son-in-law. His name is Jason Shaw. You have no familial relationship with the deceased on record, so you can't handle her paperwork."

For a moment, I was stunned. "Is there some mistake? I've been married to the deceased's daughter for seven years. We even have a marriage certificate."

The clerk shook his head, still saying politely, "Sir, the information in our system has been verified and entered in person. It can't be wrong. Could there be some misunderstanding at home?"

I stood there at the counter, my mind completely blank. So, Rebecca had verified the information herself. She was a police officer. She had spent most of her life dealing with cases, and she was meticulous and cautious in everything she did.

Had she known all along that Jason had married Grace and kept it from me for seven years? What was I to her? Just a free babysitter? Was I nothing more than a pathetic simp who had spent seven years making himself useful where he wasn't wanted?

Ever since Rebecca was injured on a mission and fell into a coma, I had gone straight to the hospital after work every day. I had bathed her, turned her over, changed her catheter bag, and kept watch by her side until dawn. I lost nearly ten pounds during that time, yet I never once complained.

I knew Grace was busy with work and couldn't take care of her herself. As her husband, it was only right that I take care of her in my wife's place. After all, we were family. I never held a grudge.

But to my surprise, Rebecca had already decided I wasn't family anymore long before she went into a coma.

It was already dark when I left the office. I wanted to cry, but I couldn't. My chest felt so tight that I could barely breathe. I made my way home in a daze.

The entryway light was on, and the living room was bathed in a warm, golden glow. The dining table was set with a full spread of food.

Jason poked his head out of the kitchen, wearing an apron. He smiled when he saw me. "Hudson, you're home! Have a seat. The last dish will be ready in a moment."

He was wearing my slippers, looking completely at ease, like he was the real man of the house. Grace was sitting on the couch with a young girl huddled beside her. The girl looked to be around six or seven, clutching a doll in her hands.

She had Grace's eyes and brows, but her face and mouth looked uncannily like Jason's. A terrifying thought surfaced, but I couldn't bring myself to believe it.

When the girl saw me, she tugged on Grace's sleeve and asked timidly, "Mommy, who is this man?"

Mommy?

When I heard that, a chill ran through my entire body.