Chapter 1

At eight months pregnant, I bumped into my husband accompanying his first love to her prenatal checkup, right after I received my cancer diagnosis at the hospital.

"Dad, I've made up my mind about what you said the other day. I'm taking the baby and leaving the country. The baby will take my last name."

"You've finally come to your senses. The Hayes family might be powerful, but we're not exactly nobodies either. Instead of staying there and suffering, it's better to raise the child on your own."

"You're right, Dad."

After ending the call, I looked at Timothy, who was gently supporting Eva. He had told me earlier that he had a work meeting, which turned out to be an excuse to come to the hospital with her.

And in all my eight months of pregnancy, he had never once come to the hospital with me. That realization made me smile bitterly. I was done hoping.

"Timothy, won't Tessa be upset if she finds out you're here with me for the checkup? She's pregnant, too. Aren't you worried…" Eva said with a concerned look, but I caught the smugness flashing through her eyes.

Timothy gently kissed her belly and replied, "She doesn't know about this, and I'm not planning to tell her. Maybe it's the pregnancy, but she's been more emotional lately. If she throws a tantrum, it'll only make things worse for you."

Eva said, "But keeping this from her forever isn't a solution either. What if she catches us like this? She's pretty far along. I'm worried…"

"There's nothing to worry about. It's only right for me to be here for your appointment. The baby you're carrying is mine, too. If Tessa wants to cause a scene, I'll just divorce her."

The cold expression on his face when he mentioned me made my whole body go numb, like I'd fallen into a block of ice.

Eva's engagement had been broken off three months ago, and ever since she returned home, Timothy had been going out of his way to see her.

Since she came back, I hadn't had a single moment alone with him.

Whenever she called or sent a text, he'd drop everything and run to her. He had even hugged her affectionately right in front of me.

Of course, I confronted him before. But every single time, he would shut me down with the same excuse. "Eva's been through a lot."

According to him, everything he did was to help her regain her dignity. And since she was pregnant, she needed more support.

As if I wasn't pregnant, too. As if my due date wasn't even earlier than hers. As if I didn't need care.

At first, I didn't think the baby in Eva's belly was his.

I'd tried bringing it up in roundabout ways, even told him that if he didn't love me anymore, he should be honest about it. But he brushed me off impatiently every time. He even got angry when I asked who the father was.

And yet, I believed him, thinking that he was just being kind, that he was not cheating.

But everything was clear now. He was the father of the baby in Eva's belly. They'd been sneaking around behind my back for God knew how long, using me as their cover.

When I heard him say he'd divorce me, I saw Eva's eyes narrow just a little.

"If I hadn't been dumped, I wouldn't be competing with Tessa for you. I just needed someone to make me feel like I still mattered. Timothy, I'm so lucky to have you. I don't know what I would've done without you after I got back," she said, eyes glistening with tears.

He pulled her into his arms gently, looking at her with warmth and pity. "Eva, I told you that I'll take care of you. If it weren't for you back then, I…

"Anyway, you deserve to be looked after. As my wife, Tessa should know I'm in a tough spot and be understanding. Even if she finds out, I'll still be here for you," he said softly, patting her back to soothe her.

Just then, the doctor came out of the exam room and smiled brightly. "Mrs. Hayes, you're so lucky to have such a wonderful husband! He comes with you to every appointment and treats you like a queen."

Eva lowered her head with flushed cheeks as she smiled, while Timothy gave a matter-of-fact nod.

I stood there watching the whole disgusting scene, my fingernails digging into my palms.

Chapter 2

Soon, Timothy followed the doctor inside to pick up the prenatal checkup report, while Eva made an excuse about needing to go to the restroom. However, she stayed right where she was instead of going to the restroom like she mentioned.

Once the doctor and Timothy were both out of sight, she lazily called out, "You can come out now. You've been standing there watching long enough. Are you still not done staring?"

I stepped out with a calm expression.

She got impatient, seeing that I remained silent. Her eyes were full of mockery as she sneered. "You're really shameless, aren't you? You know Timothy doesn't love you, yet you're still trying to cling to the title of Mrs. Hayes."

I let out a cold laugh. "Aren't you the shameless one? You knew he was taken and still threw yourself at him."

"But now I'm back and carrying his child, so it's about time you give the title of Mrs. Hayes to its rightful owner," Eva said.

From the day I married Timothy, I knew he had this first love he couldn't let go of. I just never thought she'd matter this much to him. I tightened my grip on the medical report in my hand, and the pain in my chest nearly made me collapse.

She noticed and yanked the report out of my hands. When she saw the conclusion at the bottom, she burst into wild laughter.

"So you've got cancer? Do you think you'll even live long enough to give birth to that bastard in your belly? Maybe you'll both die together, huh?"

Her cruel laugh pushed me over the edge. I slapped her hard across the face.

She immediately fell to the ground, crying like she was the victim. "Tessa, I didn't mean to keep it from you. But I'm pregnant. You can't just push me like that!"

Tears streamed down her face. And just as I realized she was putting on a show, someone shoved me hard from behind. I lost my balance and crashed to the floor, my stomach slamming into the ground.

At that moment, Timothy rushed over and yanked me up. Before I could catch my breath, he snapped, "What the hell are you doing? How could you treat Eva like that? You know she's pregnant!"

I couldn't believe how naturally those words came out of his mouth. I opened mine to explain, but Eva cut me off with more tears and trembling words.

"Timothy, don't fight with Tessa because of me. It's my fault. I shouldn't have asked you to come to my checkup. As long as the baby's okay, she can hit me all she wants."

Her voice shook with sobs, and Timothy's frown deepened. He turned to me with a disapproving look. "Tessa, you were out of line this time. You should apologize to Eva."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Are you asking me to apologize? Timothy, do you even know what this is?"

I hurled the cancer report at him, my heart aching.

He picked it up and tore it to shreds before even taking a look, his face full of rage.

"Enough! Tessa, I don't care what that is. What matters is that you were wrong today. You're pregnant yourself. How could you be so cruel to someone else?"

I couldn't stop the tears from falling, and my body trembled with anger.

When he saw my teary eyes, his tone softened a little. "Okay, just apologize to her. I know it's been hard on you these past few months. Once the baby's born, I'll make it up to you."

He said that as he pushed me toward Eva, who looked at me with smug satisfaction in her eyes.

I stared into Timothy's eyes, wondering how he could change so much the moment Eva came back, like everything he once promised me no longer mattered.

I took a deep breath. "I'm not the one who should be apologizing. You and Eva are the ones who screwed me over."

With that, I turned and walked away without looking back.

Chapter 3

As he watched me walk away, Timothy's expression darkened instantly. A wave of panic rose in his chest, and he was just about to go after me when Eva suddenly cried out in pain beside him.

"Timothy, my stomach hurts. But Tessa is more important. You should go after her."

Timothy froze for a second, then said anxiously, "Forget it. Your health comes first. Tessa's eight months along, but she's still throwing tantrums. She wouldn't dare divorce me. I'll calm her down when I get back."

With that, he scooped Eva into his arms and carried her into the ward.

Back at home, I stood in the doorway of what now felt like a stranger's house. Ever since Eva returned, Timothy barely came home anymore.

Even though I was standing here now, it didn't feel like home at all. I reached up, took the wedding photo off the wall, and tossed it straight into the trash can.

I'd take everything in this house that belonged to me and leave the past behind. I gathered up all our items and packed them into bags. Just as I was about to head downstairs, the door opened.

Timothy carefully carried Eva inside. When he saw me standing there with a blank expression, a flicker of panic crossed his face. "Eva hasn't been feeling well since you pushed her earlier."

I let out a mocking laugh. "If she's not feeling well, shouldn't she be in a hospital? Don't tell me our home is better equipped than that."

Anger flashed across his face. "Tessa, what kind of tone is that? I'm just trying to make up for your mistake. Anyway, Eva's staying here with us."

Eva gave me a look, pretending to be awkward, but her eyes were full of provocation. "That's right, Tessa. Nothing is going on between me and Timothy. I'm just here to rest and take care of the baby."

She touched her belly and shot me a smug glance.

My anger boiled over. I kept my voice low but firm. "Timothy, this is our home. I won't allow this woman to move in!"

Timothy paused and hesitated for a moment.

Eva gave him a pitiful look and grabbed his hand, placing it gently on her belly.

His heart softened instantly, and when he turned to face me again, all that was left in his eyes was pure impatience. "Enough! Tessa, you're eight months pregnant yourself. Don't you have any compassion at all?

"You pushed Eva. I'm just trying to make it easier to take care of her. If you have a problem with her moving in, then you move out!"

His cold gaze froze every drop of blood in my veins. I was shaking as I replied, "Fine. If that's what you want."

I'd be gone for good after tonight. Everything we once had would end here. With my mind made up, I grabbed the trash bag in my hand and rushed out the door.

Eva's sharp voice sounded even through the closed door. "Timothy, don't fight with Tessa because of me. Look, she's so upset she even took down the wedding photo."

Timothy's voice came next, tight with suppressed anger. "Don't worry about her. She loves creating drama. Once she realizes that won't work on me, she'll fall in line."

A single tear streamed down my cheek as I stepped into the cold wind and tossed the trash, along with every last feeling I had for Timothy.

Chapter 4

The moment I opened the door, I heard noises coming from the baby room, and my anger flared instantly.

Timothy had started decorating that room the moment he found out I was pregnant. He poured so much love and care into that room just to give the best of everything to our baby.

And now, he was going to give even that to Eva?

I stormed toward the child's room to see Eva casually placing things, like she belonged there. I grabbed her and pulled her up furiously. Before I could say a word, Timothy yanked me back.

"What is wrong with you? Why do you start acting crazy the second you walk in?" he shouted in an angry voice. But when he saw the tears in my eyes, his grip softened slightly.

"Are you letting her use this room?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

Timothy frowned. "Eva said she likes it. It's just temporary. What's the big deal?"

"Do you still remember that—" I barely got the words out before he cut me off, clearly out of patience, and dragged me out of the room.

"That's enough, Tessa. The way you've been acting lately is seriously disappointing. If you keep this up, I'll have to reconsider whether our marriage should even continue. You don't want your baby to be born without a father, do you?"

He was actually threatening me with divorce.

I looked at the side of his impatient face, and all the memories we once shared felt like they were fading into nothing.

He had promised this room would always belong to our child. He said he'd treat us like treasures for the rest of his life. But it had only been a few months, and he'd gone back on everything he said.

I gave him one last look and turned to leave. My hand instinctively went to my belly, feeling the baby move.

"Don't worry. We don't need that room. Mommy will give you something even better."

Timothy watched me walk away. That strange feeling he'd had in the hospital came flooding back again. This time, the emptiness inside him felt even bigger. But as soon as he heard Eva calling from the child's room, he chose to ignore it.

Back in the master bedroom, I received several voice messages from Eva. I opened them one by one, and as I listened to Timothy's soft, affectionate tone in each recording, I finally understood.

All that loving gesture he once showed me was nothing but practice. He was using me and our baby to rehearse for the real deal—Eva and her child.

I thought all those bowls of soup I drank, baby gifts I received, and parenting advice he ever gave me were meant for me and our child, but none of it was truly for us.

It was all just rehearsal for the woman he actually cared about. Even the child's room had been prepared for Eva's baby, not mine.

I was nothing more than the stand-in. He couldn't bear for Eva to suffer through his "learning curve", so I was the one who had to.

I listened over and over as I laughed through tears. Everything I'd been proud of since getting pregnant was all a lie. The love he showed my child didn't even compare to a fraction of what he gave Eva.

I clutched my phone so tightly that my hands hurt. The pain in my chest was so sharp I could barely breathe. All I could do was keep telling myself that it was fine. I'd divorce him soon, and my baby and I would have a better future.

As if sensing my pain, the baby gave a few small kicks.

I held my belly close. After a long silence, I finally found my breath again.

Chapter 5

After Eva moved in, Timothy poured all his attention into her.

Now that I knew the full truth, I stopped hoping for anything from him. On my way downstairs to get some water, I passed by a door that wasn't fully shut, and through the gap, I heard Eva's voice.

"Timothy, I heard that the lucky charm passed down in your family is really powerful. The baby's been kicking me a lot lately and I couldn't sleep well. Can I please wear it?" she asked.

The second I heard that, my hand instinctively went to the lucky charm hanging around my neck. It represented the status of the Hayes family's matriarch. Timothy had placed it on me on the day we got married.

He told me it would belong to me for the rest of my life, because there would never be another Mrs. Hayes.

His voice snapped me out of that memory.

Through the narrow gap, I saw him kiss Eva softly on the cheek before saying affectionately, "Sure, I'll get it back from her. You can wear it for now."

A sharp pain stabbed through my chest. I couldn't even remember what he once promised me. But it didn't matter. He clearly didn't remember either.

I took a step back and was ready to go downstairs, but the sound must've startled Timothy.

He came out and looked surprised to see me. After glancing behind him, he quickly pulled me into a corner. "Tessa, you probably heard everything just now," he said, looking a little unsure.

But my heart was already numb.

After a pause, he finally said it. "Eva's been having trouble sleeping lately, and she's pregnant, too. Could you let her wear the lucky charm for a bit?"

I nodded, but right then, a wave of pain hit me. Fighting through it, I said calmly, "I can give it to her, only if you agree to one thing."

He only heard the first half of my sentence, and joy lit up his face. He reached out to pull me into his arms, but I smoothly stepped away. He smelled completely like Eva. It made me sick to my stomach.

"Tessa, I'm glad you're finally being reasonable. After she gives birth, I'll give the lucky charm back to you. Don't worry, no one can ever take your place."

He sounded genuinely pleased. So… he did still remember what the lucky charm meant.

I gave a cold, silent laugh. "Don't get too happy yet. Whether she returns it or not doesn't matter. I just need you to sign this."

With that, I went upstairs, grabbed the divorce papers, flipped straight to the signature page, and handed them to him.

"Don't be angry. Eva's not going to keep it forever. I told you I'll give it back after she gives birth."

He coaxed me softly and didn't even glance at the papers when he signed his name.

And just like that, with the divorce agreement finally in my hands, the frantic beating of my heart finally settled. I hadn't expected it to be this easy.

He smiled at me and said, "I know I've neglected you these past few months. If there's anything you want to buy, just buy it. I'll pay for them."

He said it so generously, but I just gave a faint, tight-lipped smile.

He probably thought I was just looking for an excuse to get something out of him. That was why he signed the divorce papers so easily.

I reached up and removed the lucky charm from around my neck, then handed it to him with a blank expression. Seeing how calm I was, he hesitated for a moment, but still took it and held it tightly in his hand. "Don't worry. It'll go back to you after Eva gives birth."

He said it again, like he wanted to make sure I believed him. But I couldn't care less anymore. "She can wear it for as long as she wants."

He was so moved that he hugged me on the spot, but I quickly pulled away.

He didn't seem to mind. Clutching the lucky charm, he walked straight toward Eva's room.

Moments later, I could hear cheers from inside. I just stood there quietly, staring out the window. I would leave this place for good tomorrow and start afresh, leaving the past behind.