Chapter 31

September 1993 - Taiwan

Michael's POV

A few days after I left Neverland, the news of me being accused of sexually abusing a child became public. I didn't read all the things that were written about me but everything that I got to see was awful and full of lies.

My phone wandered from one hand to the other. I haven't turned it back on in weeks but every day the guilt inside of me grew larger and larger.

Maeve, the kids. My family.

I haven't talked to them in weeks. What's worse by now Maeve must've already given birth to our third child. Without me by her side.

Bill tried several times to convince me to go back home, he even begged at one point but I couldn't bring myself to.

My gaze shifted to the nightstand where an nearly empty bottle of painkillers sat. These past months I found myself more and more depending on those pills, I was in pain, physically and mentally.

With whatever the mini bar in the hotel room had to offer, I swallowed a couple pills. I guess, it was some kind of lemonade, I couldn't read the label.

My phone turned on and to my surprise there weren't as many missed calls as I thought there'd be with my phone being off for about three weeks but I guess the landline in Neverland was probably going crazy.

Most missed calls were from my wife, like I imagined, she even left several voicemails. The rest were by my mother and siblings.

It's crazy to be ashamed for something I haven't done but even the accusation itself made me feel nothing but shame.

The phone was pressed to my ear as I played the first voicemail.

"Michael, I just found your letter..." Maeve's voice was filled with confusion and worry."I just wanted to let you know that I do understand that you need some time away... you said no phones... but I thought I might keep you updated on what's going on here at home that whenever you miss us, you can listen to this and it might bring you home, even for a few minutes..." the line went silent for a few minutes and I listened to her breathing, I could tell she was at the verge of tears.

"Michael, just know, whatever happens, I'm here..."

The line went dead before a few seconds later the next voicemail started.

"Michael, hi, it's me... again." I heard my wife's voice again.

"The kids have been asking for you... I don't know what to tell them, Michael. They miss their daddy." She sighed.

"I saw the news earlier... they made it public now. I'm so so sorry, Michael. The things that are said aren't fair, I hope you know that there are people that love and adore you! Your family knows who you truly are! And your fans, your true fans will stick by your side and I am positive that the truth will come out... Michael, I hope you're okay. I love you!"

Next.

"Michael?" I straightened my back as I realized she's crying.

"The police was here today. They searched the house and the rest of the property. They left everything a mess! Michael, it would have been nice if someone would have given me a short notice or something... I would have made sure the children wouldn't have been here to witness all of this..."

As I listened to Maeve telling me about what exactly happened at Neverland, I let myself fall back onto the mattress. It hurt me that my children had to witness this.

"When are you coming home, Michael? Please call me back, I need to hear your voice... I love you."

There were many more messages from Maeve, telling me about how she and the kids are doing and every message ended with her telling me that she loves me and asking me to come home.

The last of her voicemails started. The only thing that could be heard in the beginning were silent sobs. The more I listened to her crying, the more it broke me.

"I need... you. Michael, I really need you right now, please come back as quick as possible... I'm begging you! Please!" Her voice was shaking as she whispered into the phone.

"I... I can't..." she started sobbing again. "Michael" she whispered. "I'm at the hospital... our baby... they couldn't... I'm sorry I can't... Michael just come here as quick as possible, please!" She stuttered but couldn't bring herself to end one sentence.

Our baby is what? What couldn't they? Who are they? The doctors?

Oh no. I felt my heart stop at the realization that something happened but there wasn't much time before the next voicemail started. This time I recognized Janet's voice.

"Michael... we tried everything to reach you. Did Bill tell you we called nonstop? Michael you need to come home as soon as possible. The family is against telling you on the phone, but you leave me no other choice.

Maeve was calling me yesterday, telling me to come to the hospital as quick as possible and that she couldn't do this on her own. She was... so devastated and at first I thought it was just because you weren't there..." she took a break before continuing.

"Michael... when I arrived at the hospital, they told me that they couldn't find a heartbeat... the baby, your baby is dead..." she started breathing heavily and I could tell she was trying to hold back her tears.

"I'm so sorry, Michael..." her voice was giving up on her as she broke down. My heart was starting to ache in my chest as my hands gripped the phone tighter.

"I stayed with Maeve while she was giving birth, it was heartbreaking. She refused every kind of pain medication and throughout the whole time she was crying. When the baby, it's a girl, was born, they placed her on Maeve's chest. Watching her hurt so much, Michael, she kept saying that the baby needs to keep warm and that she needs a blanket. It went on until she started hyperventilating... The doctors had to give her something to calm down, she hasn't woken yet. Babygirl is still by her side. They have this special cot for babies that were born sleeping, it stays cold, so the parents can spend at least some time with their child. Michael, if you want to see your daughter, at least once, you have to hur-"

My thumb pressed the button to end the voicemail. Tears streamed down my face as I couldn't bring myself to listen any further to this. I already felt bad before listening as I thought the worst I did was leave my wife to give birth on her own but it turns out I made her give birth to our dead child without me by her side. I felt worse now... and I deserved it. I deserve all of this.