Three Years I Slept, the Underboss I Saved Chose Another Woman

Before Daniel could react, the alluring Eva sauntered in, holding my daughter Alice by the hand.

Seeing that I was truly awake, the corner of her lips curved into a subtle, provocative smile.

Who would have thought that the timid, desperate showgirl who had begged me for protection three years ago would now dare to be so brazen in front of me, his actual wife?

Around her neck was the blood diamond necklace that Daniel had commissioned from a Parisian designer specifically for me.

My daughter, Alice, glanced at me with the eyes of a stranger before hiding behind Eva, glaring.

Her gaze was filled with unfamiliarity and fear, as if she were looking at a monster.

Eva's smile was sickeningly sweet, her concern a complete facade.

"Sarah, dear, I knew you'd want to see Alice first thing, so I brought her right over."

"But she's not a little girl anymore, not the same Alice from three years ago. You should respect her wishes."

"Legally, she has the right to choose which parent she lives with."

She then bent down, stroking Alice's hair gently and whispering in her ear.

"Alice, sweetheart, your birth mother is awake, and she wants to take you away from us. Will you choose to stay with Daddy and me, or go with this stranger?"

Alice's whole body tensed. She threw herself into Eva's arms, her voice trembling. "No! I don't know her! You're my mommy!"

"I don't want to go with her! Mommy, please don't leave me…" Alice kept backing away, tears streaming down her face as she spoke, as if I were some kind of monster about to devour her.

Three years. I had missed my chance to raise her, to watch her grow, but she was still the child I had risked my life to bring into this world.

Now she saw me as an intruder trying to tear her family apart.

Her every word was a knife in my heart, the pain so sharp I could barely breathe.

In her eyes, beyond the fear, I could even see a trace of hatred.

That look cut deeper than any blade. It terrified me more than the most brutal gunfights I had ever witnessed.

Eva and Daniel watched my humiliation, a flicker of triumph in their eyes.

My voice came out raspy. "Alice, I'm your mommy. Don't you remember me? I was shot in that street war because I was protecting you and your father. Have you forgotten?"

"Mommy held you in her arms right before the bad men came. Do you remember that?"

I knew, deep down, that a child so young wouldn't have any clear memories, but I still clung to a sliver of hope.

Because three years ago, I had gambled my life to ensure their safety.

"Shut up! You're not my mommy! I only have one mommy, and that's Eva."

"You can't take me away, because my mommy and daddy will protect me. I don't know you!"

My last hope was shattered.

Eva feigned a scolding tone. "Alice, how can you speak to your birth mother like that? She did give birth to you, after all."

"I said she's not! Mommy, why are you trying to send me away with a stranger? Did I do something wrong?"

Alice wrapped her arms around Eva's waist, pleading sweetly, "Mommy, I only want you. Just tell me what you want me to do."

Daniel stood beside them, wrapping his arm around Eva's slender waist and stroking Alice's hair fondly.

The three of them, clinging to each other, formed a perfect family portrait.

I was the intruder, the one who didn't belong.

The sight of their perfect happiness stung my eyes.

I took a deep breath, forcing down the torrent of pain in my chest.

"I'm asking you one last time. Are you sure you don't want to come with me?"

Alice turned and stuck her tongue out at me, her face full of contempt. "My mommy and daddy are right here. Why would I go with you?"

She was right. The bonds of blood were no match for three years of constant companionship.

And no matter how much pain I was in, I had to face the cruel reality.

The three years I sacrificed had completely destroyed the happy family I once had.

Or rather, what I had thought was a happy family.

Eva had completely replaced me in Daniel's and Alice's hearts.

Now, I was the outsider.

After a long moment, I spoke, my voice calm.

"Very well, Daniel Wilson. I'll sign. But on one condition."

"I am severing all maternal ties to Alice Wilson. From this day forward, her life and death are no longer my concern."