During Cancer, My Wife & Daughter Left Me. Years Later, They Returned For $8m Inheritance, But…

Family Conflict

My wife was not pleased with this proposal and retorted that I should do more for myself instead of making my condition everyone else’s problem. I tried to reason with her, explaining that there were days when I could barely lift my head, let alone stand up. The chemotherapy had taken a severe toll on my body.

In a fit of rage, she stormed upstairs and began slamming doors. I chose to ignore her tantrum, realizing that her negativity would only hinder my recovery. My main focus remained on my health and well-being. Later that night, I received a call from my mother-in-law, who lived two states away. She expressed her displeasure about me bringing another woman into her daughter’s house.

Technically, the house was in my name as I had owned it before our marriage, but I decided to take the high road. I politely explained that I needed help and the level of assistance I required exceeded what her daughter was willing to provide. Thus, I had to bring in a nurse to ease the burden on my family. I emphasized that the nurse’s presence would only be temporary, lasting for the duration of my remaining month of chemotherapy, provided the cancer didn’t persist or worsen.

She didn’t seem entirely convinced but eventually left me alone, which was all I wanted.

The Abandonment

For about a week after that conversation, things seemed relatively normal. My treatment continued to progress smoothly. Then, on one fateful day after returning from a chemotherapy session, I was greeted by a moving truck parked in front of my house.

My wife and daughter had packed up all their belongings and informed me that they were going to stay at their mother’s place. I was deeply hurt and upset, but exhaustion held me back from expressing my feelings properly. The timing of my wife’s departure, right after my chemo sessions when she knew I’d be utterly spent and unable to communicate effectively, felt cruel.

In search of some clarity, I turned to my daughter and asked if this was what she truly wanted. After all, she was old enough to make her own decisions. Her response hit me hard. She said she would rather live with her mother because she found it too difficult to live with me.

It was a painful moment watching them leave with tears welling up in my eyes. It was precisely what I had feared when my chemo journey began: feeling unwanted and abandoned.

A Helping Hand

In the midst of my emotional turmoil, my brother stepped in with the solution. He noticed the nurse spending some extra time with me that day and inquired if I had any family members nearby who could provide support. My brother lived three hours away and had two young children of his own, but he generously offered to take time off from work to stay with me until I could find a more permanent arrangement.

When he arrived, he was furious about what my wife had done, referring to her as selfish and ungrateful. He pointed out that she had never had to work since our marriage, and I had always ensured she lacked nothing. My brother’s time off from work was limited to a week, but he had another suggestion in mind. His wife’s sister, Cara, was going through a painful divorce and needed a safe place to stay temporarily.

Her soon-to-be ex-husband had been the breadwinner, leaving her with limited financial resources. Cara was also studying radiology at a nearby university on a scholarship. My home was conveniently closer to the university campus, making it an ideal solution.

A New Arrangement

I would have someone in the house in case of emergencies, and she would have a haven away from her tumultuous soon-to-be ex-husband. I agreed to the arrangement, assuring my brother that Cara wouldn’t have to pay rent since she’d already be putting up with me. She could choose whichever bedroom she preferred. I didn’t mind; my wife and daughter had taken almost everything, leaving only the bed and a few dresses.

My brother stayed the rest of the week, and Cara arrived on his last day. He helped her move in, and she expressed her gratitude for letting her stay with me. Cara promised to be considerate, clean up after herself, and assist where needed. She was a genuinely kind-hearted person.

I explained to her that she wouldn’t have to do too much since my nurse would now be coming in seven days a week instead of the previous four. I bid farewell to my brother and helped Cara settle in as best as I could.

Recovery and Victory

In the weeks that followed, things went relatively smoothly. I missed my wife and daughter, but it appeared that I was the only one feeling that way because they didn’t even bother to call or check up on me. Cara’s presence proved to be a tremendous help. She took care of grocery shopping, handled most of the cleaning, and even assisted with meal preparation. Throughout this time, she never uttered a single complaint.

About a month and a half after my wife’s departure, I received the news that I was cancer-free—a momentous occasion celebrated by ringing the bell at the hospital. My nurse asked me what I wanted to do next now that I was essentially cured. My immediate decision was to file for a unilateral divorce, freeing myself from a marriage that had proven to be unsupportive during my challenging journey.

With the divorce proceedings in motion, my focus shifted toward the next crucial step: recovering from cancer. It was a journey in itself. Slowly but surely, I began to regain my strength. My hair grew back, my scars started to heal, and I was putting on weight. I stuck to my healthy meal regime for the most part, but I allowed myself some cheat days to savor the favorite meals I had missed during my illness.