On the eve of my wedding, I received an invitation. A funeral and my name was on it.
Date: tomorrow.
Darius’s mother smiled and said, “If you don’t exist, he can’t marry you.”
So I disappeared.
Two years later, Darius found me.
The man who’s now the President of Davenport Group and the mafia king of La Serpiente cried when he saw me again. He held me so tightly I could barely breathe. His hands trembled against my back while he kept whispering my name, as if terrified I would vanish the moment he let go.
After that, he spent years proving how much he loved me. He cut ties with his family. He bought me diamonds, estates, and private islands. He gave me everything money could buy. Whenever people talked about Darius Davenport, they spoke about a ruthless mafia boss who ruled half the country's underground world. But when he was with me, he seemed like a completely different man.
And I believed him.
I believed every promise. I believed every late-night confession. I believed every time he looked at me like I was the most important person in his world.
Five years into our marriage, we had a beautiful three-year-old daughter, Lara. She was Darius's entire world. At least, that was what I thought.
He spoiled her endlessly. He carried her on his shoulders during family gatherings. He canceled meetings just to take her to the aquarium. Every time she wrapped her tiny arms around his neck and called him Daddy, his entire face softened.
Sometimes I would watch them together and think how lucky I was.
How stupid.
How unbelievably stupid.
Everything changed when our daughter got sick.
It started with a fever that wouldn't go away. Then came the hospital visits, the tests, and the endless waiting.
The diagnosis nearly destroyed me: A rare kidney disease. The doctors said she needed a transplant as soon as possible.
For months, Darius used every resource available to him. He practically turned the entire country upside down searching for a donor but no match was found.
Then one day, the doctors discovered something.
I was compatible.
Perfectly compatible.
The moment they told us, I didn't hesitate. Not even for a second. She was my daughter. I'd gladly give up my kidney if it meant she could live.
Darius looked devastated when I signed the consent forms. He sat beside my hospital bed that night and held my hand for hours.
"Marianne, thank you," he whispered, pressing his forehead against my fingers. "I don't know how I'll ever repay you for this."
"She's our daughter. There was never a choice to make. I'd do anything for her."
His eyes turned red. "I know… That's exactly why I don't deserve you."
Back then, I thought he was overwhelmed because he loved her, now I knew better.
The surgery happened three days later. When I woke up, the first thing I saw was Darius sitting beside my bed. His suit was wrinkled. His eyes were bloodshot. His face looked pale.
For one brief moment, I thought everything was fine then I noticed the tears.
My heart immediately dropped. "D-darius? W-what happened" I whispered.
He looked at me and completely broke down. The most feared man in the country buried his face in my hand and cried so hard his shoulders shook.
Something inside me started shattering.
"Where's our daughter?" Panic clawed up my throat as I searched his face. "Darius, where is she?"
He couldn't look at me. "I'm sorry," he choked out. "I'm so sorry, Marianne. The surgery failed. The doctors tried everything they could, but they couldn't save her."
"No." My entire body started shaking violently. "No, no, no!"
Tears flooded my eyes as I tried to sit up despite the pain tearing through my side.
"Let me see her," I begged. My voice cracked so badly I barely recognized it. "Please let me see my baby."
Darius lowered his head and that silence told me everything.
I screamed. I screamed until my throat felt like it was bleeding. I screamed until doctors rushed into the room and had no choice but to sedate me.
...
When I woke up again, I wished I hadn't.
The pain was still there. My daughter was still gone. I kept my eyes closed because I didn't want to see anyone. Then I heard voices outside my room.
One belonged to Darius. The other belonged to our family doctor, Jared, who happened to be his cousin. At first, I wasn't listening until I heard the doctor say my name and everything changed.
"Darius, I honestly don't know how you're living with yourself." Jared's voice sounded strained with anger. "I've been a doctor for 10 years, and I've never seen anything this cruel."
"It was necessary." His tone remained calm and emotionless. "The decision had already been made."
Necessary? What is he talking about?
Jared let out a bitter laugh. "You gave Marianne's kidney to Verona Stuart's child and let your own daughter die! Tell me, how exactly is that necessary?"
The world stopped. For a moment, I thought I was hallucinating.
Verona Stuart?
The woman Darius once claimed meant nothing to him. Darius fling. The woman he said he'd cut ties with years ago.
"That little girl was your daughter. She was innocent in all of this. She trusted you completely."
Darius lit a cigarette. I heard the familiar click of his lighter. Then his cold voice filled the hallway.
"I made a promised to Verona that I'd protect her and my child with her." Darius sounded completely unbothered. "That promise comes first."
I stopped breathing.
What?
Darius had a child with Verona?
"Verona's son is four years old. Your daughter was only three. For God's sake, she called you Daddy and worshiped the ground you walked on."
"I'll make it up to Marianne. She'll eventually understand why I did this. I'll make sure she never lacks anything."
"You think that's possible?" he asked. "You think money can replace a child? You think gifts can erase what you've done?"
"I'll give her another child." Darius's response came instantly. "Once enough time passes, she'll move on. While she's recovering, arrange the sterilization procedure. I don't want any delays."
Jared froze. “Darius, your daughter is dead. Why would you do that to Marianne now?"
A long silence followed.
Then Darius answered calmly. "I can't allow any future complications. If Marianne has another biological child, that child could threaten Verona's son's position in the Davenport family. I won't allow that to happen. Verona's son must become the Davenport heir." Darius's voice was cold and final. "Nothing and no one is more important than that."
The hallway fell silent.
A few moments later, Jared walked away. Suddenly, Darius's phone rang. He answered immediately.
His assistant's voice came through the speaker.
"Mr. Davenport, Ms. Stuart's son is recovering very well. When would you like us to begin the adoption process? The paperwork is already prepared."
My vision blurred.
My chest hurt so much I thought I might die right there. Tears streamed down my face.
The truth finally became clear. My daughter had never been his first choice. Verona's son was. Darius had lied to me, used me, taken my kidney, allowed our little girl to die, and now he was about to take away my ability to ever become a mother again.
The anesthesia slowly entered my IV and everything started fading.
….
When I woke up, Darius was sitting beside my hospital bed.
The moment he noticed I was awake, he leaned forward immediately. "Baby, you're awake. How are you feeling? Are you hurting anywhere?" His voice was soft and careful. "Do you want me to call the doctor?"
