》Michael《

- Michael, stop - Alishia stated as I had been pacing back and forth in the room for half an hour - Your daughter is an adult. Don't be afraid. A car is not a child or a dog. She'll not starve it or suqish it. Besides, she already has a child. She knows how to be responsible.

- I'll ask Isabella's mother what she thinks about it

- Michael, you're a fucking adult. Your daughter too. She can handle it. I'm sure that Isabella...

- Don't talk about her! Don't you dare suggest what she would do! She was my world! My whole life!

- Don't yell at me. Just because you lost your first wife within seconds of your child being born doesn't mean you can yell at your second wife if she tries to mention first one.

- I didn't mean to yell, I'm sorry... But please don't mention her...

- Michael, you've got to pull yourself together. Your first wife has been dead for 20 years. You became a grandfather. You can't adjust your life to the lack of her all the time... When we met, you had more distance to it.

- I almost lost you too. What do you want from me? To pretend that nothing happened? To go on living as if nothing had happened? You almost died in my arms. I almost lost my daughter because of some crazy girl who was in training with her. Our daughter let herself be kidnapped in order to find the kidnappers of a girl she didn't know. I offered to live with us my first wife's mother, and you're telling me to control myself? I can't take it anymore. I'd love to throw myself into the abyss and end this meaninglessness of my existence, but I'm living for my children.

- Your? Someone gave birth to these babies for the hell of it! Just because they're sisters or because you're their father doesn't mean they're just your kids! Isabella, Susan and I have the same rights to them as you do! The fact that you're the guy doesn't matter!

》Alishia《

- Shut up! - he yelled... After a while, I felt a burning pain on my cheek...

- How could you? - popłakałam się... Since I got engaged to him, no one close to me has raised a hand against me. Until now. - I regret that I ever met you! Joe may have demanded unreserved devotion from me, but he wouldn't beat me if I didn't oppose him. You are inferior to him. You're worse than Joseph!

He ran out of the room... I ran after him...

He ran into the kitchen and turned on the kettle, then grabbed a knife and cut the hand he had hit me with...

- Michael, what are you doing? - I asked, horrified...

The water boiled

Michael grabbed the kettle and poured boiling water over his cut hand... He screamed at the top of his lungs

I snatched the kettle from his hands

- What the hell are you doing?! - I asked, pushing his burned and (quite badly) bleeding hand under the icy water

- It happened for the second time... previously I hit Mia... Then I also punished myself... But as you can see, boiling water alone had no effect. That's why I cut that hand open...

- You have no reason to punish yourself.

- I raised my hand at you... while I swore to myself that I would be different from Joseph... that I'll be a better father and husband

- You are a wonderful man, a great husband and father... What I was really calling you was calling you names for not noticing that the world didn't spin around you... that it's not only your children... that you can't understand that Isabella will never came back. Michael, not talking about her won't help you. You must finally understand that she is gone and you will not be able to bring her back to life with anything... neither protecting Mia from the world, nor taking Isabella's mother under your roof will give her back to you.

- I'm just afraid I'm going to lose Mia too... That's why I forbade her to date Manson... When she told me she was bi and then she brought Susan... I was glad she chose a girl... that this relationship won't take her away from me...

- You won't live forever either. Your daughter will also have to learn to live without you. No one lives forever.

- Why is life so unfair? Isabella should live...

- What about me?

- You're alive.

His hand was no longer red, and the blood was no longer pouring out of it like crazy...

- Listen now - I started by opening the first aid kit - if you hurt yourself on purpose again, I'll file for divorce and take away your parental rights to Abi. - I started bandaging his hand

- Mia is an adult... When Isabella passed away, I promised myself that when Mia turned 21, I would kill myself...

- You have someone to live for. You can't kill yourself...

- They've kidnapped you twice, kidnapped Mia, kidnapped Marlon's daughters and Abi... I've lost Isabella, and I've almost lost you and Mia... Why do I exist? To suffer?

- You bring joy to millions of people around the world. Do you ever read fan letters? They thank you for your work, for being ... If you were not among us, this world would be sad. You're 43 years old and you're already a legend

- That's why there's no point in my life going on. I did what I had to do

- Just yesterday, when I was talking about myself like that, you were telling me that I was wrong.

- 'Cause your life has meaning. Mine doesn't...

- Smile please

- For what?

- I don't have the strength to convince you anymore... I don't have the strength to live anymore either. Only your smile gives me a reason to drag myself out of bed

- I hate my smile.

- Will you smile now? - I undid the first few buttons of my dress exposing my boobs

He smiled involuntarily, but his eyes were still blank

- Come upstairs and I'll show you more... - I stated seductively, placing my hand on his cheek

Already upstairs, in one of the bedrooms, I fulfilled my promises

- Why are you doing this? - he asked

- Because there's almost nothing else that makes you smile. You have a beautiful smile, I don't understand why you hate it...

- Isabella said she could die for it... Every time I smile I've got the moment of her death in front of my eyes...

- I understand that you would like her to live... But... Think about the fact that she most likely wants you to live and be happy for your daughter.

- She wants Mia to be happy.

I snuggled up to him

- Mia, me, Abi, Susan and Isa need you, think about us... If it hadn't been for you, I would have been burned alive there, and Abi wouldn't have survived her birth...

- I don't want to live anymore...

- Without you, I have nothing to live for... I have an idea. Wait here. - I stated.

I got dressed and ran to get Mia and Isabella's mother... Only they could convince him...

When we returned, he sat there crying and cutting his wrists

I snatched the blade from his hands

- You really can't be left alone for a minute...

Mia sat down next to Michael

- Dad, I understand that it's hard for you. For me also, although I've never met my mother... I know you loved her, I know she should live... I know she died in your arms... But... Dad, I don't want to be an orphan... only with you I can be sure that no one will want to kill me for being with Susan...

- You still have something to live for...

- You too... The fact that it's harder for you now will pass. Let your granddaughter get to know you. Please... If my mother's soul really is in her? How do you know if she doesn't have something to say to you? Wait for Isa to grow up... until she learns to speak relatively meaningfully...

Isabella's mother sat down next to Michael and started talking to him in sign language

~ Don't take yourself away from us yet, son

~ Isabella is gone... It's nonsense... I want to die

~ Isabella was my only child. When she brought you in, I was glad... I loved you like my own child.

~ Really?

~ Yes... I've lost Isabella, don't take yourself away from me yet, son...

Michael snuggled up to her and started crying even more

~ Take Mis away. I'll calm him down. ~ She flashed at me

I took Mia to the hallway

- Why is Dad doing this? Why does he want to die?

- I think he feels unloved. Abi spends time alone or with Elijah, you with Susan and Isa... ever since Mike saved me, I cared more about how bad I looked than the fact that he risked his life for me... that he did it out of love... Since the accident, we've been pricking each other almost constantly... It's my fault that your father wants to kill himself... After this kidnapping, I keep yelling at him, asking why he saved me, why he didn't leave me there... What does he see in me... I'm the one who doesn't deserve to live - I sat on the ground leaning against the wall

- Alishia stop... Dad loves you. Perhaps, he wants to kill himself because you are in pain... Maybe he just doesn't want to see it... Miraculously, you saved your life, he risked his for you, because he loves you... He may think that he made a mistake, that maybe you would rather die there than live with the consequences of such severe burns for the rest of your life.

- He would be right. I'd rather die

- Alishia, my dad has already lost my mom. He lost his first wife, the love of his life... When he met you, according to my grandmother, he regained the joy in his eyes, many more things pleased him... What did you talk about yesterday?

- Again I pointed out to him that he should leave me there... It's my fault that he wants to kill himself, isn't it?

- He may think he has failed you as a husband... that he was too selfish in saving you. That he was only thinking about how he can't survived without you, instead of thinking about whether you even wanted to be saved...

- Mia is right - Michael said as he opened the door - I'm sorry, I overheard part of your conversation... Alish... - sat down next to me - I didn't want to go through the same thing twice... I buried my first wife... I didn't want to bury you either... At that moment, all I really cared about was for you to survive... I'd really kill myself if you died... I'm sorry I didn't think about whether you want to live after this kidnapping - He hugged me so that I could hear his heart. It was beating like crazy - I won't mind you if you leave me. If you want a divorce and sole parental rights to Abi. If you never say a word to me again... Just tell me now what you're up to... - his eyes were already watery

- I don't want to leave you... I'd rather die there, because I can't look at my reflection anymore... I don't think I can be beautiful to you anymore

- I fell in love with your character, not your looks.

- I feel nasty. I feel like every time you look at me, you're trying to avoid looking at those scars...

- They don't worry me or reject me. If you feel bad about the way you look, why didn't you tell me? I'd give you money for plastic surgery...

- I told you, but you didn't listen...

- I'm sorry... I blame myself for your suffering. They kidnapped you because I've got money and I'm famous

- I was kidnapped by my first tormentor. It's not your fault.

》Mia《

For the next 10 minutes, they sat on the ground, hugging each other, tears streaming down their cheeks, before they pulled themselves together.

Alishia looked at my dad

- I think you should give it to her finally... - she said

- What are you talking about? - I was quite surprised that I'll get something, since it was my dad's birthday that day

- Mia - Dad started - before you were born, your mother wrote a letter in which she asked me to give you something from her if anything happened to her, when I thought you were responsible enough. I would have given it to you much sooner, but I didn't find the letter until a few days after Alishia was kidnapped, and I didn't have the time to arrange it.

- It doesn't matter Dad, I understand...

- Your mom wanted me to give you... - he was visibly stressed - off-road vehicle - He handed me the keys - She wanted you to be able to drive through any terrain if needed.

- God, Dad, thank you - przytuliłam się do niego

- Take Su and go, test it to see if it can handle all the hills, if you know what I mean. We'll take care of Isa - he whispered in my ear

Susan and I went to try out the off-roader. We drove quite deep into the forest and forgot about the rest of the world.

We only had time to sit in the back and barely cuddle, and I felt a strong tug...

The masked man tore me away from Susan in one motion and tied my hands. He threw me in the trunk of my car...

The other treated Susan the same...

They locked us in the trunk and drove off...

With trembling hands, I took out my phone and called my dad

- Dad, help - I sobbed as soon as he answered

- Where are you? Why are you crying? What happened?

- Someone... Someone kidnapped us... I don't know what they want... There are at least two of them...

- Are you still sharing your location with me from your mobile?

- I guess so... Dad, I'm scared...

- Try not to upset them. And try to get as comfortable as you can... Imagine it's a military exercise, OK?

- Ok... What if they want a ransom again?

- I'll pay, even if I end up on the street because of it. You are my child. I love you.

- I love you too... They stopped... If my number calls you, play that you don't know about the kidnapping. I'm wrapping up. - I hung up and put my phone away

The kidnappers opened the trunk and dragged us to the basement

They looked at Susan

- If I gave you an offer to drive you to Neverland myself, if you - he pointed me out - If you rape her, would you do it?

- You mistaken me with my brother. I'm her sister-in-law. It's my twin brother who is her husband. They had a fight, so we went to the woods to let her cool down. - Susan replied

- I'm not even interested... In fact, I'd rather torture your father - he looked at me

- Didn't you have a better day than his 43rd birthday?

- I could have kidnapped you on your birthday, but I'd risk you freezing to death in that basement... Give me the phone... I'll call your father.

I handed him my cell phone

Rang on the speaker

- What's up, baby girl? - asked my dad as if he didn't know what happened

- Listen to me, you clown -the kidnaper started - I have your daughter and her sister-in-law... If you want to see them alive, you'll do as I tell you.

- Tell.

- In half an hour, two of my friends will arrive at the gates of Neverland in your daughter's car. You're going to get in the back seat, let yourself be tied up, and bring you to me.

- How can I be sure that my daughter is alive?

The kidnapper grabbed me by the hair

- Say Hello to Daddy - he hissed

- Dad, help... - I spoke up - Me and Susan are ok... Tell my baby not to worry

- I will.

After about an hour, they pushed my dad into the basement and left the three of us alone...

We only managed to free ourselves from the ropes... Dad hugged us

- It's going to be fine... I'm not going to let them hurt you as long as I'm alive... Didn't they do anything to you?

- Not yet... Why did you let yourself be kidnapped? What about Alishia, Abi, Isa, and Grandma?

- They're safe...

- What if they kill you?

The kidnapper entered the basement

- If they're going to release you in return, let them do it. I'll do anything in exchange for your freedom - Dad declared

- It's good that you're already declaring it - he stated - It could be... hmm... Do something to your daughter that you can't as a father... I already know... something sexual, but not to excess... kiss her on the lips as if she were your partner... If you do it well enough, I'll let you all go

Dad looked at me

- Mia, please forgive me... - he said softly, then he drank into my lips and held that kiss for quite a long time...

As soon as he stop the kiss, the kidnapper looked at him shocked that he had gone so far

- You know what, Jackson, you're really fucked up... Just give me half a million dollars and you're all free

They let us go right after Dad paid them... There was an awkward silence in the car all the way back... Dad drove, and Susan and I sat in the back.

As soon as we got to Neverland, Dad looked back

- I'm really sorry for you, Mia... I just wanted them to let you out...

- I know, dad

He drove car into the garage

- Come with me to the kitchen for a moment - he suggested

We went

He gave us each the biggest knife there was

- What'd you wanna do? - I asked, frightened

- Ever since you told me to hit you, I've been out of control. - He took off his shirt - I've already punched Alishia, now this... Just kill me - spread his arms - stab me. I don't want to hurt anyone anymore.

I put the knife down on the counter and snuggled up to my dad

- I don't want to live without you.

I felt him hug me...

- I don't want to live without Isabella... - kissed me on the top of my head