Who Cheated, Only They Know

1

After another round of chemotherapy, Morgan’s body completely collapsed. For a whole week after returning home, she couldn’t eat, and even drinking water made her vomit. Her white blood cell count was dangerously low, and despite several injections to boost it, there was no improvement. At the same time, she refused to go to the hospital.

She woke up in the early hours, clutching a basin, vomiting tears and mucus, a pitiful sight. Xavier, her husband, was pacing anxiously in the living room, calling the doctor to inquire about how to relieve her discomfort.

After the last intense bout of vomiting, Morgan leaned against the head of the bed, gasping for breath. She asked her parents to call Xavier into the room, expressing a desire to talk to him. It seemed like she was making some sort of farewell.

Her parents were alarmed and tried to persuade her, “If you’re not feeling well, don’t talk for now. Let’s go to the hospital, okay?”

Morgan shook her head, her breath fragile, “No more. Mom, I’ve had enough of the hospital. I feel like I can’t make it. In these last few days, let me stay at home. Xavier, come over.”

Morgan held her husband’s slightly trembling hand, feeling the warmth in his palm, “Honey, these three-plus years have been tough on you. If it weren’t for your painstaking care and encouragement, I wouldn’t have made it this far. I know you’ve been tired these years, taking care of the children and accompanying me to the hospital over and over again… If I had known that spending so much money wouldn’t make me better, I shouldn’t have sought treatment in the first place. Have you blamed me for causing you so much suffering?”

“How could I?” Xavier’s tears welled up, “We are husband and wife, and we are meant to face difficulties together. Don’t think too much. If I say you can get through this, you can.”

Morgan smiled and shook her head, “It’s just a matter of sooner or later. After I’m gone, you must take good care of the two children, but don’t spoil them too much. Miles excels academically but is too mischievous. Kaylee doesn’t like to study and has a princess temperament. Don’t indulge them; you still need to discipline them. If I were well, you could pamper them however you like, but now, without me, you’ll be both father and mother. You can’t just be a good person; understand?”

Xavier nodded while crying, “I understand. Rest well, don’t worry about anything.”

“What time is it now?”

“Almost five.”

“Isn’t it almost time for school to end? Then I won’t say more; go pick up the kids from school first!”

However, as Xavier walked out of the house, Morgan grabbed her mother’s hand, forcing herself to sit up. The initially hollow eyes, due to pain, suddenly became razor-sharp, like knives gleaming in the light. Simultaneously, her entire back tensed up.

Morgan’s mother thought it was another wave of unbearable pain coming, and her heart was almost shattered.

But Morgan uttered a sentence that shocked them beyond measure, “Mom, Dad, there’s something I haven’t told you all along. Actually, Xavier had an affair before I was diagnosed with lung cancer.”

“Ah???”

The color drained from Morgan’s parents’ faces.

2

“He has been involved with that woman for a long time. The woman has been urging Xavier to divorce me, but he didn’t agree. During that time, I was collecting evidence of his affair and consulted a lawyer. I planned to use that evidence to force him out. If he didn’t agree, I would report it to his workplace, making him lose face. The person who introduced me to the lawyer is Brandon, my college classmate and also my first love. When we were in love, we often quarreled because I suspected Brandon of having an affair with other women. In a fit of anger, he proposed breaking up. At that time, I had a hot temper and impulsively married Xavier.”

Why bring up an unrelated first love at this moment? Morgan’s mother had a foreboding sense of something ominous.

“After agreeing to marry Xavier, I regretted it a bit because I didn’t like him at all. He pursued me for so many years, and I always treated him as a backup. So, the night before the wedding, I disappeared for a few hours. Do you remember?”

“That did happen. So what?” Morgan’s mother’s voice trembled.

“Actually, that night, I went to see Brandon.”

Morgan’s parents were speechless.

“He asked me to cancel the wedding, and I hesitated. While talking, we quarreled again, and I ran back home in the middle of the night. Less than a month after marrying Xavier, I got pregnant. I was afraid it was Brandon’s, and I wanted to abort, but Xavier said this was our first child, and he couldn’t bear to do it. When his mother heard I wanted to abort, she came and caused a scene, so I didn’t do it. With perhaps a sense of Xavier’s luck, I gave birth to the child. Fortunately, Xavier and I have different blood types, A and B, and the child’s blood type is normal. When the child was a month old, I secretly had a paternity test, and indeed, it wasn’t Xavier’s.”

“Ah?” The two elders jumped up in shock.

Morgan’s father shouted, “Nonsense!”

Morgan’s mother said, “Are you out of your mind? How could you… How could you do such a thing? And you kept it from us for so many years. Daughter, you’re confused! If Xavier finds out — “

“I thought about telling Brandon. But at that time, he had just gotten married, and his wife was pregnant too. After much thought, I decided not to say anything. Over these years, I was also afraid that Xavier would find out. Luckily, he never suspected. I didn’t like him initially, but in these years of marriage, watching him work hard for this family, being so good to you, to me, and the children, I gradually developed feelings for him. Especially after Kaylee was born, I had no other thoughts. I was determined to live a good life with him. But I never expected that he would also have an affair!”

“What… what is all this?” Morgan’s mother wished she could cover her ears.

“Perhaps because he has been so good to me these years, or maybe because deep down, I always felt he wasn’t worthy of me. So, even though I did something wrong to him first, I still couldn’t accept his affair. Feeling depressed, I couldn’t help but contact Brandon, confiding in him but without telling him about Miles’ parentage. He supported my divorce, even introduced me to a lawyer, and said he would help minimize the losses from the divorce. Who knew,” Morgan laughed bitterly, “before I could bring up the divorce with him, I was diagnosed with lung cancer.”

3

“I don’t know if there’s any hope for my recovery, or what price I’ll have to pay in the end. So, I gave up the idea of divorce. Despite Xavier’s affair, he has been good to me. For so many years, everything at home was under my control. As long as I don’t expose this matter, he can continue to take care of me as before, treating me well.”

“Later, he voluntarily resigned to take care of me, something I hadn’t expected. As he sacrificed more and more for me, and with him urging me not to give up, saying we could sell the house to continue my treatment, I truly regretted how I treated him back then. Compared to his affair, the mistakes I made are unforgivable.”

Morgan’s mother covered her face and cried, “You, oh you, what can I say about you? From childhood to now, you always have your own ideas and never consult with us.”

“Now my only worry is, after I’m gone, how will Xavier support Miles and Kaylee? His salary wasn’t high before, and now he’s getting older. What good job can he find?” Speaking of this, Morgan frowned, then vomited into the basin again, tears streaming down her face.

Morgan’s mother helped her wipe away the tears with tissues. After catching her breath, she continued, “Your retirement pensions aren’t high, and Dad is on medication all year round. You both live tightly. His mother is farming in the countryside, who else can help him? So, Mom, Dad, I’m telling you all this to say that after I’m gone, if, if Xavier really can’t support the two children, go find Brandon. Tell him about Miles’ parentage. Brandon’s wife has given birth to three daughters for him; he definitely wants a son. If he knows Miles is his son, he’ll definitely provide child support. Take the money and use it in your name to supplement Xavier. Otherwise, the children’s future will be too difficult. I… I won’t rest in peace.”

“Stop talking!” Morgan’s mother cried, “I can never go find Brandon. Even if we have to sell our own house in the future to support Miles and Kaylee, we won’t go to that person. This kind of thing needs to be kept secret for a lifetime! Have you thought about the consequences of telling that person now? Despite Xavier’s mistakes, your mistake is even greater! He has wholeheartedly taken care of you these years, and any debt he owed you has long been repaid. How will you repay what you owe him? You even suggest that we go find that person in the future. Do you want us to join you in causing harm?”

“Whether we can get through this is none of your concern,” Morgan’s father said coldly. “What you should pray for the most is that Xavier never finds out about this for the rest of his life. If it weren’t for your current condition, I really want to give you a slap! How can we face Xavier in the future? How can we face Miles?”

Morgan had no words to respond, only crying uncontrollably.

4

A week later, with endless regret and reluctance, Morgan left this world.

At the funeral, Xavier cried his heart out, almost fainting. When they got married, he was slightly chubby, exuding a naive charm. But after three years of torment, he had changed significantly. His skin was dark, eye sockets sunken, and he looked weary and weathered.

Thinking about the deception by his daughter, Morgan’s mother’s heart was filled with guilt and sorrow, hating herself for not guiding her daughter properly, allowing such a thing to happen.

Just two days after the funeral, Morgan’s parents made a special trip to their son-in-law’s house. Seeing the bearded son-in-law, tears streamed down Morgan’s mother’s face uncontrollably. “Morgan said that, for her treatment, you asked your mom to borrow money from relatives in your hometown. Before, Morgan gave us some money, but later, when she got sick, we used it all for her treatment. Do you know about this? So now we don’t have much money left, just a little over fifty thousand. Take it to repay the debts!”

“No, I can’t accept your money.”

“Take it,” Morgan’s mother almost wanted to kneel down for him. “In these years, all the burdens at home have been on you alone. We want to help, but we’re powerless. Take this little money, and don’t refuse it. Initially, for taking care of Morgan, you quit your job. We all felt we owed you. Now that Morgan is gone, after discussing it with your dad, we want to move in with you. I can help you with the kids, do the housework, and you can go out to work. We’ll rent out our small house for additional income. What do you think?”

They were already elderly and should have been enjoying their retirement, but they had to sacrifice their last strength for their young grandchildren.

However, Xavier fell into silence.

The old couple exchanged glances, puzzled.

Morgan’s mother said, “Xavier, are you afraid that it would be inconvenient for us to live together when you find someone in the future? Rest assured, we’ve considered this issue. You’re still young, and you’ll definitely want to start a new family in the future. When you truly meet the right person and plan to get married, we’ll move out. We’re concerned about you, afraid that you’ll be overwhelmed with earning money and taking care of the two children alone.”

“Mom and Dad, I know you want to help me, and I’m grateful. But I’ve already talked to my mom and asked her to come and help me.”

“Oh, well, that’s good too! Your mom is a bit lonely in the countryside by herself. Her coming over, taking care of each other, is a good thing. Then we won’t rush things,” Morgan’s mother said.

5

After this, Xavier’s mother did come to help her son for a while. However, just three months later, Xavier remarried. Not only that, he sold the old house, added five hundred thousand, and bought a larger one. He even bought himself a new car.

Morgan’s parents were puzzled and couldn’t understand. In their confusion, they took out their daughter’s phone, which she had used before her death. Inside, there were extensive pieces of evidence that she had collected and organized three years ago to divorce Xavier, including photos of Sarah.

The one Xavier married was Sarah, the third party!

“How could this happen?” Morgan’s father couldn’t believe it. “Did he never break up with that woman? Was he pretending all these three years?!”

“This shouldn’t be happening!” Morgan’s mother couldn’t accept it. “How has he been treating Morgan all these years? We’ve witnessed it! Morgan herself said that Xavier was devoted and meticulous. He accompanied Morgan to the hospital time and again, comforting her, cheering her up. He quit his job to take care of her, borrowed money everywhere for medical expenses…”

Money! Thinking of this, Morgan’s mother remembered something and, trembling, opened the phone again. From the evidence her daughter had gathered, Sarah was from an ordinary family. Xavier happily bought her a two-hundred-yuan bag. It was impossible for her to have the means to buy a new house and car after marriage. So, where did Xavier’s family’s money come from?

There must be a hidden story! Sudden wealth only had a few shortcuts: winning the lottery, illegal activities like gambling and drug trafficking, or perhaps, demolition…

The next day, the old couple asked someone to investigate Xavier’s hometown. This investigation did reveal something fishy: Xavier’s hometown had indeed been demolished! Just three months before Morgan was diagnosed with lung cancer, Xavier’s family received three million in compensation for the demolition!

The truth behind the matter was revealed.

Xavier had always wanted to divorce and remarry Sarah. So, he hid the fact of the demolition money from his wife, intending to embezzle the substantial sum and use it for his new life with Sarah. Then an unexpected “surprise” occurred: his wife was diagnosed with lung cancer, with not much time left. So, Xavier decided to play the part of a caring husband, take care of his wife until the end, and then smoothly enter a new life with all the family assets intact.

His plan went mostly as he wished, except he didn’t anticipate that his wife’s illness would drag on for three years, exhausting him almost to death. In this process, Sarah was anxious and irritated, repeatedly questioning him about when they would be able to start their new life.

That’s why, as soon as his wife passed away, he had to hastily organize a wedding under Sarah’s urging.

“Oh my God!” Morgan’s mother collapsed on the ground. “So… when he said he borrowed money for Morgan’s chemotherapy, even if he had to sell the house, it was all a lie. He already had the money for treatment! He didn’t quit his job for Morgan. He quit because he had enough money and didn’t want to work anymore. He knew Morgan’s illness couldn’t be cured, so he pretended to be caring, accompanied Morgan to the end… and here we were feeling guilty, blaming Morgan for deceiving him. They were just as bad as each other… How could they do this? What has happened to this world!”

Morgan’s father was too angry to speak directly. He shook as he swallowed a quick-acting heart pill to prevent himself from passing out.

6

The next day, Morgan’s mother called Xavier, asking him to come over; she had something to discuss with him. Since Xavier dared to remarry, he was naturally mentally prepared. Without much prompting from Morgan’s parents, he began to explain, “Hiding the demolition compensation from Morgan was indeed wrong, but later, when Morgan fell ill, I took care of her with all my heart and gave her treatment! My efforts over these three years were genuine, and you’ve seen that. I believe I have done right by Morgan.”

“Done right? Do you think we don’t know about your affair — “

Morgan’s mother pressed down on Morgan’s father, preventing him from mentioning the affair. She suppressed the bitterness in her heart and asked him, “What about this woman? Morgan has only been gone for three months, and you’ve already remarried. Don’t you think it’s too soon? How can you say you’ve done right by Morgan?”

Xavier sniffled, “Mom and Dad, I won’t hide anything from you. This wife of mine is from my hometown. She liked me for a long time. But in my heart, there was only Morgan. I never accepted her. But, unexpectedly, during the years I was away from my hometown, she silently took care of my mom. Originally, I didn’t want to remarry so soon, but Miles and Kaylee need someone to take care of them. My mom also hopes I can start a new life sooner. So, that’s why I decided to get married.”

Facing Xavier’s lies, Morgan’s mother sighed and coldly laughed.

“Mom and Dad, I know what you’re worried about. Rest assured, I promise you that even if I get married, I will never let Miles and Kaylee suffer. They are my flesh and blood, and no one can replace their place in my heart. My house and money are pre-marital assets. In the future, most of it will go to Miles, and a small part to Kaylee. My wife won’t get a share of this money. Also, let me tell you a secret, my wife can’t conceive. Otherwise, being a spinster, how could she settle down so easily with me?”

At this point, Morgan’s parents were somewhat reassured. Although Xavier didn’t dare to admit his affair, Morgan’s parents were also unwilling to reveal the truth about Miles’ parentage. The phrase “flesh and blood” was enough to make Morgan’s parents guilty and reluctant to say more.

They were old, and being able to accompany their children a little longer was their greatest luxury. Revealing the truth would only expose more unpleasant details.

For safety reasons, however, they asked Xavier to return the inheritance share that rightfully belonged to their daughter: “At our age, if we take the money, it will be left to the two children in the future. But holding it in our hands is more reassuring.”

Morgan’s parents thought: even though you are married now, who knows if you will find a third or fourth wife in the future!

After some negotiation, both sides finally agreed. Xavier deposited one million from the family savings in the bank in Miles’ name, and a contract stipulated that this money belonged solely to Miles, and no one had the right to use it. As for why only Miles’ name was on the deposit, it was because Xavier already favored his son over his daughter, and Morgan’s parents were happy with this arrangement. After all, they knew deep down that, practically, Miles was a fatherless child, and he needed more protection than Kaylee.

After marriage, Xavier’s affection for the two children, especially his son Miles, far exceeded his concern for his wife. This caused strong dissatisfaction from his wife.

“All you care about is your son. Can’t you hear what I’m saying? My younger brother’s dowry, how are you going to handle it?”

“What dowry?”

She was a bit speechless, “My brother is getting married, and the bride’s family is asking for eighty thousand. We are short of money. Can you lend my brother some?”

Xavier gave her a disdainful look and said coldly, “Your brother’s business is your brother’s to handle. I won’t help. Didn’t my mom tell you clearly? Don’t you pay attention to this money? It’s meant for my son.”

“Okay, okay, your son, your son. All you care about is your son. If I knew I couldn’t get any benefits from marrying you, I wouldn’t have done it. I waited for you for three years in vain!”

She grumbled, but there was nothing she could do. Who told her she wasn’t as good-looking or educated as Xavier’s previous wife? She could only watch him happily carrying their precious child, the treasure of both him and his ex-wife, in circles, their father-son bond deep.