》Alishia《

Since we were kidnapped, all we got was water and a slice of toasted bread...

Mia looked at me with eyes red from crying

- Daddy doesn't want us? Why hasn't he taken us yet?

- Calmly... They just kidnapped us on Sunday and Daddy had to go to the bank to get the money... Now he's definitely waiting for information on where he's going to pay them

- I see her again

- Whom?

- The lady who says she's my mom

- Does she's telling you something?

- Shows

- Can you show me what she's showing you?

Mia, who has never learned sign language, has unmistakably signed the words that, when translated into spoken language, reads "I love you and I'm there for you, don't be afraid, you're safe"

- Your mom wanted to tell you that she loves you and watches over you... We are safe.

- What if Dad doesn't pay? - she asked sadly

- He's going to pay... come to me... - I hugged her - It's going to be all right, my little one...

》Michael《

I had the money for the ransom and the plan... I was just waiting for information on where and when to pay...

When I finally got the information where and when to pay, I was relieved...

》Alishia《

They took us to their van... I was afraid that they wanted to take us away and kill us...

They drove us for half an hour...

Mia cried that she wanted to see her dad

- Baby, don't worry... Don't cry... - I wanted to calm her down

One of them pulled us out of the back of the van... When I saw Michael, I was relieved.

Michael paid them...

As soon as they left, Michael hugged me and Mia to himself...

Shots were fired... When they stopped and I opened my eyes, I saw that our captors were dead.

》Michael《

I cried as I hugged Mia and Alishia... I was holding back tears for 7 years. I almost lost my wife and daughter again...

》Alishia《

- I'll never let you out of my sight again...- he sobbed

- Don't cry

***

The police who came with Michael gave us back the ransom money

***

When we got home, the first thing I wanted to do was hug Abi

》Michael《

Alishia screamed at the whole house... When I found her, she was kneeling by Abi's empty crib

- Where is our child? - she asked crying

- At my mother's. Calm down , baby. I wanted her to be safe...

- Let's go get her

- Okay...

***

In the evening, while we were already in bed, Mia came to our bedroom

- Dad... because I'm afraid to sleep alone...

- Do you want to sleep with us?

- Yes

No sooner had Mia fallen asleep than Abi started to crying.

Alishia went to get her... Abi was also scared and also fell asleep only with us

I don't know why, but I also felt safer having them with me... I knew they were safe now...

Mia hugged Abi in her sleep and didn't seem to want to go

- The sweetest I've ever seen - Alishia stated

- Me too... The last time I saw something so cute was when Mia dressed up as a princess for her 3rd birthday...

- I imagine... I wish I had a father like that...

- Why don't we visit your mom tomorrow? I'm sure she'd like to meet her granddaughters.

- We... I... Ever since my mother moved there, I haven't visited her...

- Why don't we let her live with us?

- Will you do it for me?

- Yes. Our daughters don't deserve us to hide your mom's existence from them.

- You are right...

- Didn't they do anything to you while they were holding you?

- No... They wanted the ransom, not our harm.

- That's good... I'd kill myself if something happened to Mia

- Consider... If something happens to her, she'll need your support. If you kill yourself, you'll only hurt her more

***

Once Alishia fell asleep, I went out to the balcony...

I had to think about what she said...

I decided to walk around my property... neither of them could see that I was still crying for Isabella.

***

I sat down in front of Isabella and Kayah's grave

- I wish you were by my side so much... I wish you were alive so badly...

- Dad? - I heard Mia's voice behind me

- Yes, baby girl? - I turned around

- She's sitting next to you

- Who?

- The lady who says she's my mom

- Come to me...

Mia sat on my lap

- Baby... I don't see it... It's only because of you that I know she's here... back to Alish and Abi... I'll be right back.

- No. I'm scared when you're gone... Tell me about... Mom

- About Isabella?...Ow... We first met at the beginning of high school... I didn't know then that she'll be my wife... In first grade, we had a project and we were supposed to do it together... I couldn't go to her because Joseph would murder me, so Isabell came to us... I couldn't help but hear from the brothers that she was all about grades or wanted to seduce me... then I already thought she was beautiful... We did all the tasks in pairs together, with time I didn't trust anyone else so much... In our senior year of high school, I confessed my love for her... In 1980, when we found out she was pregnant, we got married... When you were born 9 months later, Isabell didn't survive the birth... For 7 years I was terrified of having another child... You already know about my partners from later...

- Dad... But you'll love me forever?

- Yes, angel... You're my princess

We went back to sleep