Michelle's POV:

Surrey, Present Day

"I knew as soon as I left that I regretted it," I tell them, "but I've always been too stubborn for my own good."

"I'd lie there in bed at night, and I'd be able to hear my children crying. For months I fell apart. I didn't eat. I didn't sleep." I get to my feet unable to look at my girls. "I abandoned them and I couldn't face it."

"I've never been very good at facing up to things," I whisper. "I almost bought plane tickets a ...