Diagnosed With Cancer, I Left My Baby's Father in Ruins

Nine months pregnant, I ran into my husband, Beckett Shaw and his mistress at the hospital.

The moment I picked up my report, I saw the two of them celebrating the upcoming arrival of their own child.

Delaney pretended to be concerned. “Beckett, you really shouldn’t be here with me. If Evelyn finds out, she’ll be upset. She’s pregnant too. Aren’t you worried she’d be upset?”

Beckett let out a cold chuckle. “If she causes a scene, I’ll just divorce her.”

Since Beckett didn’t want us anymore, I’d rather raise the child without a father than stay in this farce of a marriage.

I called my dad, who was living overseas.

“Dad, I’ve made up my mind. I’m getting a divorce. I’m taking the baby and moving out to be with you.”

After I hung up, I booked the earliest flight available. Two weeks—that’s all I needed. Two weeks and I’d be out of Beckett’s life for good.

But then why...did that man show up at my wedding with red eyes?

——

Nine months pregnant and the moment I received my prenatal report, I saw my husband attending a prenatal appointment—with his first love, Delaney Cross.

“Beckett, you coming with me to this appointment… if Evelyn finds out, she’ll be really upset. She’s due soon, too. Aren’t you worried?” Delaney said with a voice full of pretend concern, but I caught the smugness in her eyes.

Beckett kissed her belly gently and replied with chilling indifference, “She doesn’t know about this and I’m not planning on telling her. Maybe it’s the hormones, but her mood’s been all over the place lately. I don’t want her making things difficult for you.”

“But we can’t keep sneaking around like this. Evelyn’s heavily pregnant, too. If she finds out, I’m afraid she—”

“There’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s my duty to be here with you for this appointment—after all, the baby is mine, too. If Evelyn wants to cause trouble, I’ll just divorce her.”

The coldness in Beckett’s voice when he spoke about me made my blood run cold.

If Beckett had already decided to toss us aside, then I would beat him to it. I would leave him and raise this child on my own.

I let out a bitter smile as my heart finally gave up. I pulled out my phone and called my father overseas.

“Dad, I’ve made up my mind. I’m divorcing him. I’ll bring the baby and come live with you.”

“I’m glad you finally came to your senses,” came his voice through the line. “The Shaws might come from an elite family, but ours isn’t lacking either. If staying there only brings you pain, then yes—leave him and raise the child on your own.”

“You’re right, Dad.”

After hanging up, I immediately booked the next flight out.

I thought back to this morning, when I asked Beckett to come to my appointment with me. He said he had work—turns out he was just accompanying Delaney to hers.

Nine months of pregnancy and not once had Beckett ever come with me to the hospital.

Delaney had her engagement called off three months ago and ever since she came back to the country, Beckett had been meeting her over and over again. From the moment she returned, Beckett and I had barely shared any time alone.

Whenever Delaney called—even if it was just a text—Beckett would drop everything and rush to her.

He even hugged her affectionately right in front of me.

It wasn’t like I hadn’t confronted him about it. But every time I did, he brushed me off with the same excuse—that Delaney was going through a hard time and needed support.

According to him, everything he did was to help Delaney back on her feet. She was pregnant, he said and he had a moral obligation to be there for her.

But Beckett seemed to forget one crucial fact: Delaney wasn’t the only pregnant woman in his life. I was, too. And I was even further along than she was. If anything, I was the one who needed care the most.

For the longest time, I thought the baby Delaney was carrying was Beckett’s.

I tried to ask indirectly. I even told him that if he no longer loved me, he needed to tell me outright.

But every single time, he’d shut me down—impatient, dismissive, evasive. And the one time I dared question whose child Delaney was really carrying, he got furious.

He kept reassuring me, over and over again, until I finally chose to trust him.

I told myself he was just being kind. That he hadn’t fallen out of love with me.

But now, it’s all so clear—Delaney’s baby has always been his.

They’d been sneaking around behind my back for God knows how long and I was nothing more than their cover story.

When Beckett mentioned divorcing me, I caught the way Delaney’s eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of satisfaction slipping through her carefully composed expression.

“I never meant to take you from Evelyn,” she said, her voice trembling ever so slightly. “It’s just... if my fiancé hadn’t broken things off, none of this would’ve happened. I needed to protect my dignity. And thank God you were there, Beckett. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done—where I would’ve gone—after coming back to this country without you.”

Her eyes filled with tears. And Beckett, full of tenderness and concern, gently wrapped her in his arms.

“I told you—I’ll take care of you, Delaney. If it weren’t for you back then, I would’ve…” He trailed off.

“Anyway, it’s only right that I look after you,” he continued. “Evelyn is my wife, so she should understand why I’m doing this. And so what if she finds out? I’ll still be here for you, no matter what.”

Beckett patted Delaney gently, comforting her.

As the doctor came out of the exam room, she glanced at them and said with envy, “You’re one lucky woman, Mrs. Shaw. Your husband never misses a single check-up and he treats you with such care and affection.”

Delaney blushed, smiling bashfully and Beckett nodded like it was only natural.

I stared at the sickening scene in front of me, nails digging into my palms.

Two more weeks and I would be gone from Beckett’s life forever.

Chapter 2

Beckett soon followed the doctor into the office to pick up the prenatal report. Delaney, however, made an excuse about needing to use the restroom—and then just stood there.

Once they were both inside, she finally drawled lazily, “You can come out now. You've been standing there watching long enough. Haven’t had your fill yet?”

I stepped out without a word, my expression blank.

Seeing that I stayed silent, Delaney grew impatient. Her gaze sharpened with mockery.

“What, no shame left at all? You knew Beckett never loved you, yet you still insist on holding on to the title of Mrs. Shaw?”

I let out a cold laugh. “And you don’t find it shameful to be the other woman, fully aware he’s married?”

Delaney’s lips curled into a smile. “I knew Beckett long before you did. If I hadn’t gone abroad, you’d never have had the chance to marry him.”

She lightly patted her belly, then added smugly, “But I’m back now—and I’m pregnant with his child. So I’d say it’s time for you to step aside.”

From the moment I married Beckett, I knew he had a woman he considered his one true love. But I never thought she’d hold such an unshakable place in his heart.

The pain that shot through my chest nearly brought me to my knees. My grip tightened instinctively on the report in my hand.

And that’s when Delaney saw and snatched it from me.

She scanned the conclusion and burst into wild, gleeful laughter.

“Cancer, huh?” she said. “So, what do you think? Will you live long enough to give birth to that bastard baby, or are you both going to die together?”

Her laughter rang in my ears like sirens and something in me snapped. I stepped forward and slapped her, hard.

She staggered back dramatically, then fell to the ground with a wail.

“Evelyn, I didn’t mean to keep this from you! But I’m pregnant! How could you hit me like that?”

Huge, dramatic tears rolled down her cheeks. And before I could even process her performance, I felt a violent shove from behind. I lost my balance and my belly slammed into the cold, hard floor.

Beckett grabbed my arm and yanked me up. I was still dazed, still trying to process the shock, when he yelled in my face.

“Are you out of your mind?! How could you push Delaney? She’s pregnant!”

I stared at him, stunned. Before I could speak, Delaney cried out, “Beckett, please don’t fight with Evelyn because of me. I shouldn’t have asked you to come to the appointment with me. This is my fault. As long as the baby’s okay, she can slap me.”

She looked like a tragic heroine—eyes glassy, lower lip trembling.

Beckett’s face twisted with anger. His voice was low and sharp when he turned to me.

“You’ve crossed the line, Evelyn,” he said coldly. “Apologize to Delaney.”

The sound of it shocked even me. I laughed. Bitterly.

“You want me to apologize?” I said, my voice hoarse. “Beckett, do you know what this is?”

I shoved the cancer report into his chest, my hands shaking. My throat tightened with emotion.

He didn’t even look at it.

He tore the paper in half and glared at me like I was the problem.

“I don’t care what that says! All I know is you’ve gone too far. God, you’re pregnant, Evelyn! How could you be cruel to other woman?”

Tears finally slipped down my cheeks, hot and silent. My whole body trembled—not from pain, but from sheer fury.

Beckett saw me crying and for a moment, his expression softened. His tone shifted to something gentler.

“Alright… can you just apologize? I know I haven’t been giving you attention these past few months. But I promise I’ll make it up to you once the baby’s born.”

Then, without a trace of shame, he pushed me toward Delaney.

She looked back at me, eyes glinting with smug triumph.

I looked hard at Beckett, wondering how the man who once swore he loved me could change so drastically the moment Delaney came back. Had he forgotten every promise he made the day we stood at the altar?

I drew in a long, steadying breath.

“No,” I said quietly. “I won’t apologize. And Beckett… you’ve truly disappointed me.”

Then I turned and walked away.

Chapter 3

As I walked away, Beckett’s face darkened. For a brief moment, panic flashed through his eyes. He started to take a step toward me—but then Delaney clutched her stomach and groaned.

“Beckett, it hurts,” she gasped, then forced out a teary plea. “But Evelyn’s more important. Go after her.”

Beckett hesitated only a second before shaking his head. “No. Don’t worry about her. Right now, your condition is what matters most.”

He glanced down the hallway where I’d disappeared and I heard him mutter, “Evelyn’s just throwing a tantrum. She’s eight months pregnant, she’ll be terrified if I divorce her. I’ll talk to her later.”

Then he scooped Delaney up and carried her into the hospital room.

When I got home, I stood outside for a long moment, staring at the house that was supposed to be ours. Since Delaney returned to the country, Beckett had barely been home. I could no longer feel the warmth this house once held.

I walked to the wall, took down our wedding photo and tossed it straight into the trash.

I didn’t want to leave a single trace of myself here—not one reminder of what used to be.

I packed up all our couple items and stuffed them into a trash bag. I was heading down the stairs with it when the front door suddenly swung open—Beckett walked in, carrying Delaney in his arms.

When he saw me standing silently by the door, a flicker of guilt flashed across his face.

“She’s not feeling well after what you did,” he said, like that explained everything.

“Not feeling well, huh?” I scoffed. “Then why isn’t she in a hospital? Why the hell would you bring her here? Do you think our home is some kind of recovery center for mistresses?”

“Watch your words, Evelyn,” he snapped. “I’m trying to fix things here. Whether you like it or not, Delaney is staying in this house.”

Delaney chimed in, her hand moving to gently rub her belly. “It’s true, Evelyn. There’s nothing going on between Beckett and me. I’m only staying for the baby.”

She said it just to provoke me.

I could feel the anger rising in my chest, bubbling and hot. I looked at Beckett and said, firm and loud, “This is our house, Beckett. I don’t want her living here.”

Beckett paused. His face twisted like he was conflicted. But then Delaney grabbed his hand and placed it on her belly.

Beckett’s heart melted instantly. When he turned back to me, his voice was full of irritation. “That’s enough! You’re pregnant too—how can you have zero empathy?”

“You pushed Delaney. I’m just trying to take care of her. If you don’t want her here, then maybe you should leave.”

His words hit like a slap.

I stared at him, the blood draining from my face. My whole body trembled.

And then I said, as clearly as I could, “As you wish.”

Tonight would be my last night in this house. After this, I’d be gone—and Beckett Shaw would be a closed chapter in my life.

With my decision made, I grabbed the trash bag in my hand and marched out the door.

Delaney’s voice followed behind me, laced with mock pity.

“Don’t fight because of me, Beckett. Look, she’s so angry she even took down your wedding photo.”

Beckett’s voice rumbled low with frustration. “She’s just being dramatic. Once she realizes I’m not playing her game, she’ll come crawling back.”

A tear slid down my cheek. I walked into the cold night and threw the trash away along with very last shred of love I had left for him.

Chapter 4

The second I opened the door, I heard a noise coming from the nursery—and my anger flare up. Beckett had renovated that room the moment he found out I was pregnant. He’d filled it with only the best. Every piece of furniture, every stuffed animal, every blanket—he picked them all out himself. For our baby.

And now he wanted to give that to Delaney?

Fury surged through me. I stormed down the hallway and swung the door open—only to find Delaney lying in the crib.

I yanked her up without thinking, rage burning in my chest. But before I could get a word out, Beckett grabbed my wrist and pulled me away from her.

“What is wrong with you? You act like a lunatic the second you walk in.” he snapped. But when he saw the tears in my eyes, he hesitated—his grip loosening just a little.

“Are you really giving her this room?” I asked, my voice raw and broken.

Beckett frowned. “Delaney said she likes it. It’s not a big deal if she stays here for a while.”

“Do you remember…”

“Enough, Evelyn!” he cut me off, irritated. “Everything you’ve done these past few days has been disappointing. If you keep acting like this, I’ll have to reconsider whether this marriage should even continue.” He paused, eyes cold. “You don’t want the baby inside you to be born without a father, do you?”

He was threatening me—with divorce.

Looking at his face, the side he always turned away when he was done with an argument, I felt the memories unravel. The promises, the whispered sweet nothings, all turning to ash in a matter of months.

He once said this room would always belong to our baby. He said he would treasure both of us for the rest of his life.

And yet here we were.

I didn’t say anything else. I turned around and walked out, numb. My hand instinctively cradled my belly, feeling the faint flutter of life inside me.

“Don’t worry, baby. We don’t need that room. I’ll make you a better one.”

Behind me, Beckett stood frozen, watching me walk away. That same flicker of guilt from the hospital flashed across his face again—sharp and quick, then buried.

But as Delaney called out to him from the nursery, he turned and walked back to her.

Later, when I was back in the master bedroom, my phone buzzed. I got a string of voice messages from Delaney.

I opened them one by one and hearing Beckett’s doting tone in the recordings, I realized all their past affection was just practice for Beckett.

He was practicing on me and our baby, all for the sake of Delaney’s child.

Every nourishing soup I drank, every gift I received for the baby, every parenting tip Beckett shared with me—it was all just practice for Delaney’s baby.

Even the nursery itself was prepared by Beckett for the child in Delaney’s womb.

I and the baby were just tools for Beckett’s rehearsal. He didn’t want Delaney to suffer through his learning curve, so I became the sacrifice.

I listened to the messages over and over, the pain swelling inside me until I laughed. Not because it was funny—because it hurt so much it pushed me over the edge. Everything I had been so proud of since the moment I got pregnant had been nothing but a lie.

Beckett’s tenderness toward my child? It didn’t even come close to what he showed Delaney and hers.

I clenched my phone so tightly my hand shook. It hurt to breathe. All I could do was whisper over and over to myself that it was okay.

It was okay. Because soon, we’d be free of him.

Just me and the baby. And we’d be just fine.

The baby kicked, like he could hear me. Like he understood.

I wrapped my arms around my belly and held it close.

I stayed that way for a long time, until I could finally breathe again.

Chapter 5

After Delaney moved in, Beckett practically glued himself to her side.

And me? I stopped expecting anything from him the moment I saw the truth.

One night, as I walked downstairs to get some water, I heard her voice through the slightly open door of the guest room.

“Beckett,” she cooed, “I heard that Saint Christopher medal from your family works really well. The baby’s been keeping me up at night... could I borrow it for a while?”

The medal wasn’t just a piece of jewelry—it was a Shaw Family heirloom. A symbol that whoever wore it was the rightful Mrs. Shaw. Beckett had given it to me on our wedding day, clasped it around my neck himself. He said it would be mine forever—because there would never be another Mrs. Shaw.

His voice pulled me out of the memory.

Through the gap in the door, I saw him press a gentle kiss to her cheek and smile. “Of course. I’ll ask her for it. You can wear it as long as you want—at least until the baby’s born.”

A sharp pain stabbed through my chest.

I couldn’t even remember his exact promise anymore—but it didn’t matter. Because clearly, neither could he.

I took a step back, but the floor creaked under my foot. Beckett opened the door and found me standing there. He looked startled. Guilty, even. He stepped outside, pulled the door shut behind him and led me to a corner of the hallway.

“Evelyn... you heard that, didn’t you?” he asked hesitantly.

I didn’t say anything.

He hesitated again before speaking. “Delaney’s been having trouble sleeping. Do you think you could let her borrow the medal for a bit?”

I nodded slowly, but at that moment, a sharp pain twisted through my side. I winced and swallowed it down.

“I’ll give it to her, but on one condition.”

Beckett's face lit up like I’d just handed him the moon. He stepped toward me, ready to wrap me in a hug, but I took a step back before he could touch me.

Delaney’s scent was all over him—it made me want to gag.

“I’m glad you’re finally coming around,” he said with a relieved smile. “Once Delaney has the baby, I’ll give it back. Don’t worry—your place in this family isn’t going anywhere.”

So he did remember what the medal stood for.

“I don’t care if she never gives it back,” I said quietly. “I just need you to sign this.”

I turned and walked upstairs.

A minute later, I came back down with the divorce papers in hand, already flipped to the page where his signature was needed.

“There’s no need to be upset,” he said softly, like he was trying to soothe me. “Delaney’s not going to keep it forever. Like I said, I’ll return it once she has the baby.”

He signed the papers without even glancing at them.

As soon as I held the signed divorce papers in my hands, the storm inside me quieted. I never expected it would be this easy.

Beckett gave me a small smile. “I know I haven’t been there for you these past few months. Go ahead and buy whatever you want—I’ll take care of the bill.”

So that’s why he was so quick to sign. He thought this was just me angling for a shopping spree.

I unclasped the medal from around my neck and handed it to him, expressionless.

For a moment, he hesitated. But eventually, he took it and held it tight.

“Don’t worry. Once the baby’s born, it’ll be yours again,” he repeated, like he needed to convince himself.

But I didn’t care anymore.

“She can wear it for as long as she wants,” I said flatly.

Overcome with emotion, Beckett pulled me into a hug—I pushed him off immediately, but he didn’t seem to mind. He turned and walked straight back into Delaney’s room.

A second later, I heard her squealing with joy.

I just stood there, staring out the window.

Tomorrow was the day I’d leave. And this time, I wouldn’t hesitate.