Page 16 of The Last Hope

She quickly buttoned my blouse, then grabbed the jeans and helped me into them as well. She gently pushed me onto the bed and pulled out a pair of socks tucked inside the sneakers.

“Don’t worry. I’ve planned everything. Since the moment I found out this gala was happening, I’ve been preparing for this.”

I whimpered as pain shot through my fingers. Sienna finally finished lacing my shoes, then pulled the hair tie from her wrist and swiftly braided my hair. She grabbed the child’s clothes and rushed into Rafael’s room.

“Mamma ?” My angel’s weak voice reached me from the other room. I got up and followed them, trying to compose myself.

“I’m here,Angelo mio, I’m here,” I reassured him, stepping toward the couch where he had fallen asleep. He was now only in his undershirt.

Sienna tried to help him put on his sweater, but he dodged, bouncing on the seat. His face lit up when he saw me, but his smile quickly faded when he noticed the marks on my face and my bandaged fingers.

“Mamma !” he exclaimed, jumping from his perch.

I winced when he crashed into me, his little hands brushing against my injured fingers.

“Does it hurt,Mamma ?”

“No, not at all, my love. I’m fine,” I reassured him, stroking his hair. “Let Aunt Sienna help you get dressed, okay ?”

“Aunt Sienna ?” he asked, looking up at me with wide eyes.

“Yes, it’s me,Pulcinomio,” Sienna introduced herself, stepping closer. “Would you let me help you get dressed ? We need to go.”

“We’re leaving ?! Really ?! Without him ?!” he asked, his voice full of hope.

I remained silent, unable to find the words. I didn’t want to give him false hope.

“Of course. Just the three of us,” Sienna declared firmly, without hesitation. “But you have to get dressed first, okay ?”

Rafael nodded eagerly, then joined my sister, letting her help him change quickly.

Sienna then rushed to the entrance, stepping over Antonio’s unconscious guard, whom she had somehow managed to knock out.

She cracked the door open, peering outside. I grabbed my son’s hand and followed my sister, hesitating.

Once she ensured the coast was clear, she opened the door wider and gestured for us to follow. I froze at the sight of a laundry cart filled with linens outside the door.

I looked at my sister, confused, but she gestured for me to get in.

“This will never work, Sienna…” I started to protest, but she shot me a sharp look.

“Shut up and get in, Selina ! The cameras will be back online soon. Hurry !” she urged.

I didn’t hesitate any longer. I tried to lift Rafael inside, but Sienna grabbed him before I could. I climbed in after him, lying down with my son in my arms.

Sienna covered us with several sheets and I heard her close the bedroom door before she started pushing the cart.

I tried to hold back a whimper as pain pulsed through my fingers. I sniffled, burying my nose in my baby’s hair. I heard theelevator doors open, and she pushed the cart inside. We started descending.

The elevator stopped once, and I tensed when I heard one or more people step in before we continued downward.

Rafael snuggled closer to me, and I stifled a scream when he pressed against my injured fingers. I clamped my hand over my mouth, smothering my groans.

“Sorry, I hit my elbow,” Sienna said calmly from outside.

The elevator stopped again before continuing downward.

“We’re almost there,” my sister murmured.