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Chapter 28

Michael's POV

"How did you find me here?" I ask Lisa, my manager, in the quietest whisper I can manage. "That's not important right now. Katherine sent me. She ordered me to find you as soon as possible and bring you back to America."

"You and I both know I cannot do that." I answer lowly. She nods slowly and draws in a breath. "Natalie's been in an accident." she says and my heart sinks. "What?" I ask in a tone barely above a whisper. "Is she okay? Is she alive? Is she?–" Lisa stops me by placing a hand on my shoulder.

"She's been put on life support. She needs you there for her. Your family needs you there." 

I want to break down. I want to scream, to hit and kick myself for being so selfish and not being there for my kids when they need me. The one time I hear from my youngest daughter and tell her that I cannot come see her, she is in a fatal accident. 

Daddy, it's Nat.

My subconscious is screaming at me–telling me how stupid and careless and selfish I have been lately. 

I sob as I hug Lisa. I cannot find the words to say, but she reads my mind and walks me toward the car that brought her here to downtown Brazil.

As I climb into the car, Lisa gives me the signal that it is okay to remove my veil and breathe. "The windows are tinted." she assures me. I slowly remove the black veil and bury my face in my hands. I cry and cry and Lisa rubs my back.

"Why am I so stupid?" I nearly scream. "You are not stupid, Michael." Lisa says and I ignore her.

Suddenly, all of the regret consumes me at once. 

I tried my best to describe to my children why I had chosen to go away, but they were so young. How could they understand such a difficult and concept? I had always thought of how they now think of me for leaving them and not keeping contact. How are you supposed to explain to young children that your life is in danger and you need to get away to save yourself?

The worst part of being away for so long is that my family had somehow found each other again and were spending time together without me able to be there. It hurts to realize that Natalie is apart of our lives once again, and she will not get to see me. She won't get to open her eyes and smile at the sight of me. She won't get to jump in excitement or run to me from afar screaming my name or "Daddy." She won't get to hug me and tell me she loves me. She won't get to cry... then I think of me.

I won't get to hug my youngest daughter. I won't get to embrace her and tell her how much I love her and how much I have missed her. I won't get to spin her around or kiss her. All of these things I had planned on doing once again when Taryn would finally let me see her, and now I will not be able to. 

I am proud that my family was able to have the time with her that they did. I am jealous and I regret that I was not there. I feel awful that the short time they had with her was thrown out the window for whatever reason. I cannot imagine how hurt they are after experiencing such a tragedy. 

...

I am pulled from my depressing thoughts by a gentle hand on my shoulder. I look up and wipe my face. I turn to Lisa and she gives me a sympathetic smile.

"We're almost to the resting house. We'll have to put you in make up. . .you might want to put your veil on again." I nod. I place my veil over my head with shaky hands and look down again. 

When the car finally stops, I bring my head up. "Come on, Michael." Lisa says in a blissful tone. She exits the car and opens my door for me. She helps me out and my legs feel like rubber. I slowly walk under the support of Lisa. 

We enter through a pair of small doors. There are very little people here, and I am grateful for that. The doors are shut and locked as soon as we enter. I am seated in a barber chair and my veil is slowly removed. I try to cover my face and someone grabs my wrists.

"It's okay, Mike. It's just us." a familiar voice assures and I remove my my hands. I look up and notice my old make up artist. She hugs me and I smile.

"Karen! Oh, how I have missed you." I whisper and she says the same. She pulls away and grabs her kit. "Let's get started." she says and I look to Lisa. "We're gonna try to get him to America before noon tomorrow." she says and Karen nods. 

Six and a half hours pass until I'm finally done with being disguised. I stand and look at myself in the mirror. I have missed my disguising days; I look and feel like a whole new person. 

"Well, let's get on the road." Lisa says and looks between me and Karen. "The airport is a good twenty minutes from here." she finishes and we walk toward the exit doors.

As we drive down the road, I try to ignore all the hurt that is slowly eating away at my heart. I should be happy, I am going to see my family for the first time in three years.

When we finally arrive at the airport, I grow more and more nervous. I have never felt this way before and walking past many people and taking in their looks intimidates me.

Security and luggage check goes by fairly quickly and before I know it, we are being boarded onto the plane and taking off.

It takes me a few moments to process everything that has been happening.  I am on my way back home to see my family. To see my children. To see Natalie.

"Are you okay?" Lisa asks with a hand on my shoulder. I turn to her and nod, attempting a smile. I should be happy, but I feel everything except happiness. I turn to Lisa again and she smiles.

"Do my children know I'm coming?" I ask and she presses her lips into a straight line and shakes her head. "I don't know," she answers. "I  haven't notified anyone." she informs me and I nod and turn back to the window. 

This will all be a surprise. I hope everyone else is ready, because I sure am not.