After I Died, the Don Went Mad With Regret

Mia kept backing away, terrified.

She tried to run, but Colton blocked her path.

Colton’s expression darkened with anger. "I can't believe she raised you like this! How could she?"

Her hair was tied with a fraying piece of cord, loose strands spilling over her ears. She didn't even have a decent hair tie.

Colton's hands began to shake. "If I'd known, I never would have let you go with her!

"She treats you like this and you're still defending her!"

I lunged for Colton's arm, desperate to explain.

But my hand passed through him again.

My arm remained suspended in midair, limp and powerless.

It wasn't that I hadn't wanted to give Mia a good life. There truly was no way.

I wanted my daughter to have pretty clips in her hair too.

Mia had cut her own hair with a pair of scissors. The cord tying it back had come from a burlap sack she'd unloaded at the docks.

Dylan Russo, the dock foreman, had taken pity on her and tossed her a euro for a hair tie.

But Mia couldn't bring herself to spend it. The euro was still tucked inside her bag.

I screamed the truth until I had nothing left, but Colton couldn't hear me.

He yanked the cord from Mia's hair and flung it aside, pain flickering in his eyes. "I'm your dad, Mia.

"Look. I have a photo of you from when you were little."

Colton pulled up a childhood photo of Mia on his phone.

Mia's wariness slowly faded. After a moment, she threw herself into Colton's arms and sobbed even harder.

After all, the father she'd never known had appeared out of nowhere.

Shock and joy lit her face. "Does this mean I don't have to be alone anymore?"

"Dad will take good care of you." Tears slid down Colton's face too.

"Dad's taking you home."

He took Mia by the hand and started to lead her away.

Before he could, a man charged out and punched him in the face.

Colton hit the ground.

When Colton looked up, Dylan stood in front of Mia, shielding her and drawing back for another punch.

Colton dodged.

Dylan pointed at him. "You're trying to snatch a child in broad daylight?

"She's just a little girl. How dare you?"

Colton wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "She's my daughter!"

"Your daughter?" Dylan gave a cold laugh.

"So you're the bastard who cheated on his wife, then left her behind to save his own skin?

"She's been selling cigars for me all this time, and you never came looking for her! She dug through the garbage for food, and you never showed up!

"What right do you have to take Mia now?!"

Colton's eyes darkened. His jaw clenched.

"So that's what she's been telling people about me?

"So you're her new man? No wonder she hasn't asked me for money all these years. She's been too busy neglecting our daughter.

"Fine. Let her say what she wants. I'm taking Mia. She was fine when I left her with Monica. Now she doesn't even have enough to eat. Why shouldn't I take her?

"Get out of my way, or I'll call my men."

Colton reached for Mia again.

Dylan clenched his fist, the veins in his hand standing out as he swung again.

"I'm warning you, don't insult Monica!

"You don't know anything!"