Chapter 188 The Painful Choice
The night outside was dark, but the hospital was brightly lit.
A figure stood with furrowed brows, staring through a large glass window into a sterile isolation ward.
On the bed, covered with white sheets, lay a small child, about a year old, with a cute hairstyle. He was deeply asleep, his chubby hand by the pillow, drooling adorably. But his face was unnaturally pale, which was alarming.
Seb touched the glass, his eyes fixed on Hayden's small body, filled with pain and sorrow. His brows were tightly knit, bearing the weight of the world's sadness.
"Mr. Anderson, you've been standing here for two hours. Why don't you get some rest?" Leon walked up behind him, frowning.
"How can I sleep? I want to stay with Hayden a little longer," Seb said, looking at Hayden with gentle eyes.
"The doctor said Hayden's condition is under control. You don't need to worry too much," Leon tried to reassure him.
Seb, still troubled, said, "I've consulted top leukemia experts at Averlake. This disease can only be controlled for a limited time—maybe a month, three months, or six months—before it progresses rapidly. If we can't find a matching bone marrow for Hayden in time for surgery, he won't grow up."
Even a man as resolute as Seb couldn't help but have his eyes well up.
"We're already searching nationwide for a suitable bone marrow. It's tough, but we won't give up," Leon said firmly.
Seb looked expressionlessly at the sleeping Hayden through the glass and said, "I've also consulted top experts. The chances of finding a match nationwide are slim."
Leon thought for a moment and said, "Didn't the doctor say that if Hayden had siblings, the matching success rate would be as high as fifty percent?"
"That's why I'm doing everything I can to get Susan pregnant. It's our best hope," Seb's eyes now filled with hope.
Leon hesitated and then said, "But doing this will hurt Ms. Wilson deeply. Have you really not considered telling her? If you tell her, I think she would agree to have another child with you to save Hayden."
Seb slowly shook his head. "I selfishly hid Hayden and lied to her that the child had died. Now that Hayden has leukemia, I can't let her be heartbroken again. I understand the pain of losing a child. Hayden's situation is still uncertain. I can't let her be happy only to fall into endless pain again. If something happens to Hayden, she won't be able to bear it. I don't want to see her hurt like that again."
Seb pressed his hand against the glass, his fingers turning white. His eyes were melancholic and despondent, like a dark cloud hanging over him.
Leon was quiet for a long time before he nodded. "You're right. If a mother knew her child hadn't died, she'd be overjoyed. But if she knew the child had an incurable disease, the pain would be unbearable. It's better she doesn't know the child is still alive, so she won't be hurt again."
Seb's brows furrowed as he murmured, "Leon, do you think I was wrong back then?"
"What?" Leon asked.
"When I lied to Susan that the child had died," Seb said.
Seeing Seb filled with guilt, Leon tried to console him, "Mr. Anderson, you can't blame yourself entirely. Back then, Ms. Wilson thought you had rekindled things with Miss Phillips and insisted on divorcing you. You didn't want her to fight for Hayden's custody. Besides, with Ms. Wilson's situation, Hayden wouldn't have had a better life with her than with you. You were also impulsive because of Henry's interference, and jealousy clouded your judgment. Actually, it was Henry who had a one-sided love. Ms. Wilson's sister, Dorothy, was the one deeply in love with Henry, and now I've heard she's about to give birth."
"That's why people shouldn't lie. I've already told one lie, and now I have to tell a hundred more to cover it up." Seb's mouth twisted into a bitter smile.
"Hayden will be fine. Don't worry too much," Leon offered.
"I believe Hayden will be fine," Seb nodded firmly.
"But you still need to take care of yourself. Hayden is counting on you," Leon said.
"I understand," Seb nodded.
"By the way, Miss Phillips wants to see you," Leon hesitated before speaking.
Hearing this, Seb's face turned cold, and he said mercilessly, "Tell her I never want to see her again."
Leon hesitated and then said, "She's very ill this time. The doctor says she doesn't have much time left."
Hearing this, Seb was stunned for a moment but still said, "She brought this on herself. I can't save her, nor will I sympathize with her. If it weren't for her limited time, I would definitely make her pay double for what she did to Hayden!"
"Indeed, when I heard she kidnapped Hayden and put him in a newly renovated room, causing him to get pneumonia, which then developed into leukemia, I wanted to strangle her. But seeing her suffer on the hospital bed, I felt she was pitiful and pathetic. She doesn't deserve sympathy. I'll pass on your message," Leon said.
Hearing this, Seb hesitated and finally said, "There's nothing to say to someone as muddled as her. Just ignore her."
"Okay," Leon nodded.
Late at night, a black Bentley sped down a road where even the streetlights had gone out.
Seb sat in the back seat, while Leon focused on driving in the front.
Scenes from that day replayed in Seb's mind. Cynthia had controlled Hayden, forcing Seb to give up Susan and deeply hurt her.
Seb had planned to stabilize Cynthia first, then confront her once he had Hayden back, and then explain everything to Susan, revealing the whole truth about Hayden. But things didn't go as Seb had hoped.
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