Chapter 12: A Father's Love

Elias worked with quiet efficiency, chopping fresh vegetables for the salad while the kids sat at the counter, watching him curiously.

"Do we have to eat salad?" Leo whined, resting his head on the table dramatically.

"Yes," Elias said without looking up.

"But why?" Leo groaned.

Elias set the knife down and raised an eyebrow. "Because if you don't eat healthy, you'll end up weak."

Lily giggled. "Like a wobbly jellyfish?"

Elias nodded. "Exactly."

Leo sat up quickly. "I don't want to be a jellyfish!"

Elias smirked. "Then eat."

Leo grumbled but grabbed his fork, taking a bite of the salad. Lily followed suit, enjoying the crunch of fresh lettuce and cucumbers. Elias poured each of them a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, setting it beside their plates.

"Why do you do everything so perfectly?" Leo asked between bites.

Elias shrugged. "It's just how I am."

Lily tilted her head. "Did your parents teach you that?"

For a brief moment, something flickered across Elias's face—too fast for the kids to catch.

"…Something like that," he muttered before turning away.

The kids didn't push further, happily finishing their lunch.

A Trip to the Park

Since there was no homework that day, Elias decided to take them out.

"Where are we going?" Lily asked excitedly as she climbed into the car.

"To get some air," Elias said simply.

Lily clapped her hands, while Luca, as usual, remained silent.

At the park, Leo and Lily ran around playing, while Luca sat on a bench, watching them. Elias leaned against a tree, keeping an eye on them.

Lily was twirling around when she suddenly noticed a father and daughter playing together near the swings. The father lifted his little girl into the air, making her laugh loudly.

Lily's excitement faded.

Her smile disappeared as she watched them, something heavy settling in her chest.

After a few moments, without a word, she turned and walked back to the car.

Elias noticed immediately but didn't stop her.

Instead, he observed.

Leo and Luca played a little longer before Elias decided it was time to go.

The Grocery Store

The grocery store trip was quick—Elias made sure they had all the essentials while keeping Leo from sneaking extra snacks into the cart.

By the time they returned to the car, Elias noticed that Lily was still quiet, her arms crossed, looking out the window.

Leo poked her shoulder. "Hey, what's wrong with you?"

Lily ignored him.

Leo turned to Elias. "She's mad."

"I can see that," Elias said, his voice calm.

Luca, who had been silent the entire time, finally spoke. "She wasn't mad earlier."

Elias nodded slightly. Interesting.

Once they got home, Lily immediately went to her room and shut the door.

Elias watched her go, then turned toward the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Lani's Return

Lani arrived home late, tired from work, only to be greeted by an unusual silence.

"Where's Lily?" she asked, looking at Elias.

"In her room," Elias said without emotion.

Lani frowned and walked upstairs, knocking on Lily's door.

"Lily? Sweetheart, I'm home."

No response.

Lani tried again, but still—nothing.

She sighed, rubbing her forehead. "She's ignoring me."

Elias, who had been standing nearby, walked past her and opened the door, stepping inside.

Lani blinked. "Hey, you can't just—"

He shut the door in her face.

Lani stood there, stunned.

Lily's Confession

Elias walked over to Lily's bed and sat on the edge, his usual calm expression in place.

"Talk."

Lily sniffled but didn't look at him. "You wouldn't understand."

Elias leaned forward slightly. "Try me."

After a long pause, Lily finally spoke, her voice small.

"I saw a girl playing with her dad today."

Elias remained silent, letting her continue.

"She looked so happy… He carried her, and they laughed, and—" Her voice cracked. "I don't have that."

Elias exhaled quietly.

Lily wiped her eyes. "Why don't I have a dad?"

Elias didn't answer immediately.

Then, he gently placed a hand on her head.

"If you had a father, he'd love you just as much as I do."

Lily looked up, eyes wide. "You… love me?"

Elias gave a small nod. "Of course."

For a moment, Lily just stared at him.

Then, slowly, a smile crept onto her face.

Elias stood up. "Now, come eat. Unless you want to sleep hungry."

Lily giggled and ran ahead of him, her mood completely changed.

Downstairs, everyone—including Leo—was surprised to see Lily cheerful again.

Lani watched as her daughter ran to the table, happier than she had been all evening.

Before Elias could leave, Lily suddenly ran up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Thank you, Elias."

Elias blinked in surprise.

Then, with an almost imperceptible softness, he patted her head.

Lani watched from the side, something stirring in her chest.

Maybe, just maybe… Elias wasn't so bad after all.