The Great Escape

Leo tiptoed across the quiet hospital room, approaching the bed as softly as his small frame allowed. Reaching out, he gently placed a sweet lollipop on the pillow beside Nora's head.

"Pretty madam," he murmured softly. "The hospital medicine is terribly bitter, but the lollipop will make it better."

Nora was already awake. Due to her deep trauma, she was a notoriously light sleeper, waking at the slightest sound. She kept her eyes half-closed, battling a strong hesitation to interact with this child. Her rational mind screamed a warning. This boy was Daphne's flesh and blood. She deeply feared projecting her intense, justified hatred for her mortal enemy onto this innocent boy.

Yet, an inexplicable, profound jolt in her heart drew her to him against her will. She opened her eyes and watched the frail boy clumsily attempt to climb onto her high hospital bed. His short legs kicked in the air, but he kept slipping down against the sheets. Her maternal instincts quickly overrode her cold logic. Reaching down, she lifted him up onto the mattress.

Sitting on the bed, Nora looked closely at his face. He looked so much like Julian. Despite his parentage, the boy radiated utter sincerity.

"Ma'am, you are awake," Leo said. "Thank you for saving my life with your upcoming donation."

His earnest gratitude tugged at her heartstrings. Unable to resist his charm, Nora gently patted his head. "You are very cute," she told him.

Leo lowered his head in visible disappointment, letting out a sad sigh. "I am not cute at all."

"Who told you that?" Nora asked.

Leo innocently reasoned with her. "If I truly were cute, my Daddy and Mommy wouldn't be getting a divorce."

Nora stared at his sweet, sad face. She could not bring herself to transfer her deep grudges onto such a vulnerable child. "Your parents are not divorced," she comforted him softly.

Leo looked up curiously. "How could you possibly know that?"

Before Nora was forced to formulate a complex lie for the child, the precious photo resting on her blanket caught Leo's sharp attention. His eyes widened in glee as he pointed directly at the twin girls in the picture.

"Hazel and Stella!" he called out excitedly.

Nora's whole body tensed. She grabbed his small arms with sudden, urgent emotion. "Do you know them?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Leo puffed out his little chest and proudly stated, "They are my best friends in the whole world."

Overwhelmed, Nora leaned in. "Where did you get to know them? Where are they?" she demanded. In her desperate rush for answers, she accidentally startled the frail boy with her intensity and tight hold.

Leo shrank back slightly, his face scrunching up in pain. "Ow," he whimpered.

Quickly recognizing her error, Nora instantly released him. She intentionally softened her grip and her voice, suppressing the overflowing tidal wave of her feelings. "I am sorry, sweetie. Can you tell me where you met them?" she asked again gently.

Leo sniffled, then pointed directly at the large peach blossom tree in the background of the photo. He casually identified the location. "It is Maplewood Welfare."

An overwhelming, blinding delight swept over Nora. In that singular moment, forgetting that the boy in her arms was her sworn enemy's son, she pulled him into a tight, fierce hug. She pressed her lips to his forehead, showering him with affectionate kisses. "Thank you. Thank you so much, Leo," she sobbed happily.

Blushing furiously from the sudden affection, the young boy looked up at her with pure innocence. "Are you their mommy? If you are, why don't you live with them?"

The innocent questions hit Nora like a physical blow. She was rendered speechless. She could not possibly explain a dark, tragic past of false accusations and a five-year prison sentence to a toddler. Instead of dwelling on the past, she immediately pivoted, focusing her racing mind on a daring new plan. She had to bypass the strict bodyguard stationed outside her door to see her girls.

"Leo, I need a massive favor," Nora said, holding his gaze seriously. "I am going to live with Hazel and Stella from now on. But I need your help. Can you stay in my room and lie to the bodyguard? Just say I am fast asleep."

Leo puffed out his chest again and confidently patted it. "Mission will be accomplished," he promised.

Deeply touched by the pure-hearted child's willingness to help, Nora gave him one last tight hug. She then retreated quickly into the bathroom, dragging the suitcase Roman had provided to prepare for the most important meeting of her life. She bypassed the plain garments and selected a sleeveless silk dress. She paired it with a thin-knitted cardigan to cover her frail arms. Standing in front of the mirror, she dabbed bright lipstick onto her pale lips to bring some semblance of life back to her sickly complexion.

When she emerged from the bathroom, Leo's eyes lit up. "Wow, you are so beautiful," he praised.

Nora managed a genuine, relieved smile. She bid the little soldier farewell, earning a proud salute in return.

She knew she could not use the front door. Stepping quietly out onto the balcony, Nora peered over the edge into the dark night. Taking a massive physical risk, she swung her legs over the concrete railing and gripped the cold metal of the exterior sewer pipe. She carefully and painfully slid down from the third floor. Her frail body strained with every inch of the descent. The rough surface scraped her palms raw, but she held on tight until her feet hit the ground.

She landed safely in the thick garden bushes below. Brushing the leaves off her dress, she looked up. Leo was watching from the balcony above, waving excitedly down at her. Nora smiled through the pain and waved back.

Without wasting another second, she hurried frantically out of the hospital grounds. She kept her head down, clutching her small bag, dodging the bright streetlights until she reached the main street. A passing cab approached the curb. Nora hastily hailed it and threw herself into the backseat.

She slammed the door shut and breathlessly ordered the driver. "Take me to Maplewood Welfare. Please, hurry."