"Mom, I want to divorce Beckett Shaw, leave my child and abandon him," I sobbed into the phone.

My mom's panicked voice echoed through the line: "Should I pick you up now?"

"In two weeks, mom. I need to clean up here," I whispered.

My hands trembled as I hung up.

Today, I'm einth months pregnant, due in a month, when I received a receipt from the Paradise Resort, the largest hotel in town.

It read: "Hope you and your partner had a wonderful night."

My husband of seven years, Beckett Shaw, had frequented the same place where we'd spent our first night together with his mistress for the past two years.

The first time was two years ago—the day I had a miscarriage.

Just then, an anonymous text message arrived on my phone:

"His one true love, capable of bearing an heir to the family, unlike an infertile wife. We made love last night in your honeymoon suite."

"By the way, let me tell you a few more truths. When you were kidnapped during your first year of marriage, he was enjoying me in a hotel two blocks away. While he was sleeping with me, he personally disconnected your call for help."

"On your second anniversary, he excused himself for a business trip, but you were deceived because he had accompanied me to Iceland to see the Northern Lights."

"And each of your miscarriages was related to me. Your first was orchestrated by him. He said you weren't worthy of carrying his child. The second was because I needed a heart to cure my heart condition, and that child's heart was the best."

The text message also included multiple photos and countless intimate videos of us having sex.

"You are my only love. I will leave Evelyn and marry you."

I closed my eyes and listened to my partner's recorded confession.

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, begging me to take him back?

——

Numerous messages popped up one after another.

"I hope you know the truth now."

"I am Beckett’s woman."

"He said that he is with you for an heir."

"This is my Instagram account, filled with our loving pictures. Even on the day of your wedding anniversary your husband was with me."

I clicked on the link to the Instagram page which opened with a myriad of intimate photos between a couple.

The latest photo displayed Delaney Cross sitting on a man’s lap and kissing him.

It was captioned as: [23rd of January, the day when he first saw me three years ago and it was love at first sight.]

23rd January was my birthday.

I laughed with tears threatening to fall down my eyes.

I scrolled down only to find a pattern in all the photos—Beckett’s face wasn’t visible in any of them, yet even with a glance I could decipher his identity.

After all, I was the one who bought him those expensive watches as a collection.

I was going through the photos with teary eyes when my hands stopped abruptly.

There was a photo of a woman embracing a man while showing off her diamond ring.

The background was decorated with flowers, with firecrackers bursting in the sky.

The caption made my blood turn cold:

[March 19: He asked me out to be his girlfriend and guess what? I said yes!]

Two years ago, this was the day when I miscarried.

I remember calling Beckett multiple times, but he never picked up.

When I messaged him that I was in the hospital, he at last called me irritably and said that I should stop playing tricks to attract his attention and hung up.

I remember watching the lifeless corpse of my child being taken away and was in such deep shock that I could not get out of bed for more than two months.

When I received another message from Delaney, my heart was crushed beyond comprehension.

A picture of an ultrasound along with a doctor's prescription from the hospital was attached, along with a single line of text:

[I am pregnant with Beckett’s child.]

Clutching my heart that was so trampled upon by my childhood sweetheart and husband, I gasped for air as I could hardly breathe.

Like a maniac, I rushed to Beckett’s wardrobe and searched frantically for his wallet, where he had always kept our couple photo—surprisingly it wasn’t there anymore, replaced by the photo of another woman.

It could not be denied anymore. Beckett openly cheated on me when I already had so much evidence.

I opened one of the attached videos, and Beckett’s loving voice for his mistress was the first thing I heard.

"Are you... are you pregnant?"

Beckett glanced at Delaney in elation, and when she nodded, he picked her up in joy before kissing her.

"I will divorce Evelyn as soon as she gives birth to a son for me. Only then we can have a happy family! I will finally have two heirs!"

I could not believe the words at first and had to replay the video multiple times to let the reality sink in.

While I was still sitting on the ground hugging myself, the front door opened, and Beckett was finally home.

"Evelyn," he called out a few times before frowning and turning on the lights.

When I was nowhere to be found on the first floor, he entered our bedroom upstairs only to see me sitting silently in a dark corner with tears in my eyes.

"Evelyn? Are you alright?"

When he held my shoulders, trying to make me get up from the floor, I had a strong urge to push him away.

"Now that you can give birth any day, can you stop being so careless? Why didn’t you turn on the lights? What if you stumbled—"

"Where were you till now?"

Taken aback by my direct question, Beckett quickly made up an excuse.

"Baby, I was with the board discussing a business issue."

"Really? My friend told me that she saw you on the riverside today buying some hot chocolate."

Beckett went pale for a moment before collecting himself.

"So what? I cannot eat something that I like now? And why are you stalking me?!"

The guilt in his eyes was evident—he was there all day with Delaney fooling around.

"I just asked because I want to have hot chocolate too."

I wanted to see how far he would go with his lies.

Feeling frustrated, he finally snapped.

"Why are you so demanding all the time! I am just home from an entire day of tiring work. If you want to have something, then ask the maid to make it for you."

Without waiting for my response, he turned around with a scowl.

"How can you be the perfect wife when you are so stubborn."

When he was out of sight, I clutched my stomach painfully and cried.

"My poor baby, your daddy has abandoned both of us, but mommy will take care of you."

Beckett's phone buzzed and when I saw the caller ID, it was almost disgusting how stupid he thought I was to never question him even when he saved his mistress’s name as ‘My love’ on his phone.

I swiped the phone and was surprised to see it was unlocked with the screensaver being an ultrasound image of a woman’s womb.

If Delaney hadn’t sent me this same image earlier, I would have mistaken it as my own and would have never questioned Beckett.

I checked the contents of the messages sent between.

[Beckett: Baby, I have heard that pregnant women love sour food so I have asked my assistant to send me various sour delicacies, I will bring them to you later.]

[Delaney: Beck, um won’t your assistant be suspicious…]

[Beckett: What suspicion? He would just assume it is for Evelyn.]

[Delaney: So, would you give her half of the delicacies too? I thought you only loved me.]

[Beckett: Of course not, she is really a picky eater and wasting my efforts on her is fruitless. You are my one and only true love.

I would have divorced Evelyn, but she miscarried and fell into depression making others sympathize with her a lot, she was just too dependent on me and leaving her then would have portrayed you in a bad light, so I had not abandoned her yet.]

[Delaney: You are the best Beck, but I am lonely right now and am craving some pastries.]

[Beckett: Alright, I will bring them to you.]

I bit my lip trying to hold in the sobs threatening to break free. My children never meant anything to Beckett other than being his heirs like a paving stone for Beckett in becoming the most powerful businessman.

I quickly took screenshots of the message conversations and to my utter surprise there was an attached document sent to Delaney.

‘Riverside Maxim Villa.’ My entire being was full of rage when I realized that the property I received in dowry from my parents was given to Delaney.

Earlier Beckett had said that the company was encountering some financial problems and if I sold my property it would be of great help, I followed his words and foolishly let him take control of my property.

At last, it ended in the hands of his mistress.

My body quivered and as if sensing my discomfort my baby kicked restlessly.

I clicked screenshots of the messages and collected evidence from other shopping websites which were filled with luxurious orders delivered to my mansion that was now being occupied by Delaney.

I then slowly kept the phone at its designated place and laid down on the bed with a duvet over me to stop Beckett’s view of my shaking body as I sobbed with my voice muffled.

Soon Beckett’s footsteps echoed as he entered the room and picked up his phone, smiling softly as he read Delaney's messages.

Moments passed and he sat beside me with his palm slowly caressing my belly.

"Baby, I and Anderson have decided to check on the clients today. I will not be back till tomorrow."

When he stood up to leave I held onto his arm desperately with little strength left in me.

“I have been waiting for you the entire day, c-can you not be with me just for today.” I wanted to deny that my childhood love, my husband, ever cheated on me. I wanted to forget it like a nightmare and try again for the sake of my child.

Beckett looked at my broken eyes and noticed tears streaming down my face making him gently swipe them in guilt.

He could not even look at me.

“I... What is it baby—” Just then a notification beeped on his phone and his face changed.

"Darling, I cannot put you above work, please understand. I will call my mother to come and look after you."

When he did not receive a reply, he looked at my face only to see me looking at him like he was a stranger.

“Evelyn—”

“Go then.” Even the last chance that I gave him was discarded like trash.

I turned around without another word, making him freeze for moments before he decided to leave.

Soon I dragged myself out of the house and booked a taxi to follow Beckett.

"To Riverside Maxim Villa," I told the driver.

When we parked outside the mansion, Beckett’s car was already there. I saw my husband look around like he was afraid of being caught before he pressed the doorbell.

I caressed my stomach that churned painfully, making me gasp before taking out the camera as I taped the incident where the door of the villa opened, and a female rushed into Beckett’s arms as he held her before kissing gently.

My eyes became blurry with unshed tears as I saw my husband lovingly kneeling before his mistress as he kissed her belly.

The pain in my womb intensified but I simply sat in the car without the ability to speak a word due to the shock.

Soon Beckett took Delaney out, tucking her with the seatbelt and a chorus of feminine laughter could be heard from outside.

I gasped when I felt that my pain intensified yet instead of panicking, I took deep breaths.

“Sir, can you please take me to the hospital where they are going?” The driver looked at me and quickly sped up and even helped me inside.

“Madam, having a child is really a precious thing and being happy and healthy is much better than being with someone who is so shameless as to abandon such a kind wife as you.

Please take care of yourself and don’t focus on negative things.”

The driver was old and seemed to have seen many seasons thus when he reassured me, I nodded feeling thankful.

Yes, I must live for my child.

“Don't worry sir, that man is already nothing to me. Soon I will break away from him completely.”

After arriving at the hospital and undergoing a series of tests, I finally received my pregnancy test results, and I froze.

The results showed I had cancer.

The results hit me like a hammer, hammering me in the gut.

Just as I was feeling completely overwhelmed, I saw my husband at his prenatal appointment—and his mistress, Delaney.

“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.

Beckett thought he could divorce me before I did. What he didn't know was that I was already preparing for my own divorce and the division of our assets.

Soon, he would understand the consequences of his betrayal and infidelity.

It would be irreversible.

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.

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

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 never think of myself as a mistress. I think the person who is truly unloved in a marriage is the mistress.”

She lightly patted her belly, then added smugly, “ 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.

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.