Chapter 17: A Goodbye Too Soon

The sterile smell of the hospital burned Elias's nose as he sat stiffly in the cold chair across from his doctor. He had been here too many times before, yet the feeling never changed—the numbness, the quiet dread, the unshakable knowledge that his time was running out.

Dr. Reynolds, a graying man in his late fifties, let out a slow breath as he reviewed the latest test results. His expression was grim.

"Elias," he started, his voice cautious. "Your condition has worsened."

Elias clenched his fists on his lap. He already knew. He could feel it—the exhaustion that crept up more frequently, the tightness in his chest, the coughing fits that left his throat raw.

"You need to start considering the transplant list more seriously," the doctor continued. "We've talked about this before, but you can't keep pushing it off. You don't have the luxury of time anymore."

Elias let out a short, humorless chuckle. "You say that like it's easy."

Dr. Reynolds sighed. "I know it's not. The waiting list is long, and there are no guarantees. But if you don't start the process now, it may be too late."

Elias stared at the floor, his jaw tightening. "I don't have anyone to sign off on this. No family. No emergency contact."

The doctor frowned. "Your mother—"

"She's in a coma," Elias cut in. "She can't sign anything."

The room fell into silence.

Dr. Reynolds hesitated. "Then maybe a friend? A trusted employer?"

Elias let out another empty laugh. "I don't have friends, Doc."

He could feel it then—the pressure in his chest, the way his vision blurred for a moment. The familiar metallic taste filled his mouth, and before he could stop it, a violent cough wracked his body.

Blood splattered onto his hand.

The doctor quickly grabbed some tissues and handed them over, but Elias barely reacted. He had seen it too many times to be shocked anymore.

"Elias, you can't keep ignoring this."

Elias wiped his mouth and sat back. "What happens if I don't get the transplant?"

Dr. Reynolds hesitated before answering, "Six months. Maybe less."

Elias's fingers curled into a fist.

He had always known he wouldn't get a happy ending. But hearing it out loud made it real.

He left the hospital that afternoon feeling heavier than ever. The world outside looked the same—cars rushing past, people laughing, living their lives without a care. Meanwhile, his own life was slipping away, second by second.

---

It had been two months since he started working for Lani.

Two months of cooking, picking up the kids, handling the house.

Two months of watching Lily's eyes light up every time she saw him.

Two months of dealing with Luca's cold stares but sensing the quiet curiosity beneath them.

Two months of enduring Lani's sharp words, her suspicious glances, the way she always acted like he was an inconvenience—yet still, she always found herself watching him just a little too long.

Two months of saving every bit of his salary to take care of his mother, ensuring her hospital bills were covered even if it meant eating less himself.

Two months of feeling something strange whenever he caught Lani stealing glances at him.

She wasn't obvious about it, but Elias noticed.

The way she lingered when he spoke to the twins. The way she hesitated before snapping at him.

She was starting to fall for him.

And the worst part?

He was, too.

But what was the point?

He had six months left—if he was lucky.

What kind of future could he offer anyone?

Nothing.

Elias exhaled sharply and leaned against the kitchen counter when he got home. The house was quiet. Angel had already come and gone for the morning cleaning.

His heart ached—not just from the disease, but from the cruel truth of his life.

He thought of Lily's laughter.

He thought of Luca's stubborn silence.

And he thought of Lani, the woman who was slowly starting to see him.

It was better this way.

Better that no one got too close.

Better that when the time came, no one would have to mourn him.

At least, that's what he told himself.

But deep down, Elias knew it was already too late.

The morning started like any other.

Lani sat at the dining table with Lily and Luca, sipping her coffee while the twins ate their pancakes. Lily was happily swinging her feet under the table, her eyes occasionally darting toward Elias, who was in the kitchen preparing his own breakfast.

Luca, on the other hand, was unusually quiet, stabbing at his pancakes as if they'd done something to offend him.

Everything seemed normal—until Elias suddenly grabbed Lani's wrist and pulled her toward the hallway.

"Elias!" Lani protested, nearly spilling her coffee. "What the hell?"

"Come with me," he muttered, his grip firm but not painful.

Lani shot a glance at the kids, who were watching them with curious eyes. Lily tilted her head, clearly intrigued, while Luca simply frowned.

Elias pulled her into the nearest empty room and shut the door. Lani yanked her hand away, crossing her arms.

"Okay, what is your problem?" she snapped.

Elias took a breath, looking at her with a seriousness that made her stomach twist.

"I'm quitting."

Lani blinked.

"What?"

Elias looked away, his jaw clenched. "I can't work here anymore."

Lani stared at him in disbelief before letting out a dry laugh. "You're joking."

"I'm not," he said flatly.

Lani scoffed, stepping closer. "So, you're just leaving? Just like that?"

Elias didn't answer.

"You know what? No. You don't get to make this decision alone. You work for me, Elias, and I—"

"I already made up my mind," he interrupted. "I'll finish this week, but after that, I'm gone."

Lani felt something sharp twist inside her chest.

She didn't know why she was so angry. So frustrated.

"You're a coward," she hissed.

Elias let out a slow exhale, his expression unreadable. "Maybe."

Before Lani could say anything else, a small, trembling voice interrupted them.

"You're leaving?"

Lani and Elias both turned.

Lily stood in the doorway, her eyes wide and filled with tears.

Lani's breath caught.

"Lily…"

Elias took a step forward, but Lily immediately took a step back.

"You're leaving?" she repeated, her lower lip trembling.

Elias hesitated, his face suddenly unreadable. "Lily, listen—"

"No!" she yelled, fists clenched. "You can't leave!"

Elias knelt down to her level. "Lily, it's not that simple."

"You're lying!" Lily's voice cracked as she wiped at her face with her sleeve. "You said you'd stay! You said you'd never leave me!"

Elias flinched.

Lani watched in stunned silence.

Lily never cried like this.

Never.

But now, tears streamed down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably, her little shoulders shaking.

Luca suddenly appeared in the hallway, standing stiffly behind his sister. Unlike Lily, he didn't cry. He simply stared at Elias, his expression blank.

But his silence said more than words ever could.

Elias looked away.

Lily sniffled, stepping closer. "Please…" she whispered. "Please don't go."

Lani's heart shattered.

But Elias?

Elias looked like he was about to break apart.

He clenched his fists, his face twisting with something unreadable.

And then, without another word—he walked away.

---

Lily's Collapse

The rest of the day passed in unbearable silence.

Lily refused to eat lunch. She sat curled up on the couch, hugging her knees, her face buried against them.

Luca stayed by her side but said nothing.

Lani didn't know what to do.

By evening, Lily still hadn't spoken. Not to Lani. Not to Luca.

Not even to Elias, who had avoided them all day.

That night, Lani sat by Lily's bedside, stroking her daughter's hair.

"You have to eat something, sweetheart," she whispered.

Lily didn't respond.

Lani sighed, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Get some rest, okay?"

Lily finally mumbled something, her voice barely audible.

"He's really leaving…"

Lani swallowed hard. "I don't know, baby."

But Lily just turned away, curling up into a ball.

By morning, everything fell apart.

---

Lani was halfway through a meeting at work when her phone rang.

She frowned, seeing the school's name flash across the screen.

Confused, she answered. "Hello?"

"Miss Lelani?"

Lani sat up straighter. "Yes?"

"This is Miss Greene, Lily and Luca's teacher. I need you to come to the hospital immediately."

Lani's entire body froze.

"What?"

"Lily collapsed in class," the teacher explained. "She had a high fever—she wouldn't stop crying all morning. We called an ambulance."

Lani's blood ran cold.

"I'm coming."

She grabbed her coat, rushing out of her office without another word.

Her hands were shaking.

Her heart was pounding.

All she could think about was her baby.

And how she hadn't done anything to stop this from happening.

---

At the Hospital

Lani burst into the hospital, Luca trailing behind her.

Luca hadn't said a word since he got in the car. He had just sat there, staring out the window, his face unreadable.

When they reached the pediatric ward, a nurse pointed them toward Lily's room.

Lani pushed the door open.

Her heart nearly stopped.

Lily lay in the hospital bed, looking painfully small and fragile under the white sheets. Her cheeks were flushed with fever, her eyes dull and glassy.

And clutched in her tiny hands—

Was the tablet Elias had given her.

The one with their picture.

Lani's chest ached.

Luca stood beside the bed, staring down at his sister.

Then, quietly, he said, "She cried all night."

Lani looked at him.

"She wouldn't stop crying for him."

Lani clenched her jaw, tears burning behind her eyes.

Then, before she could respond—

The door opened again.

And Elias walked in.

Lani's breath caught.

He looked pale. Almost sick.

His usual composed expression was gone, replaced by something raw.

And when his eyes landed on Lily, everything about him changed.

He walked over, kneeling beside the bed.

"Lily," he murmured.

Her eyelashes fluttered.

Then, slowly, she opened her eyes.

And the moment she saw him—she burst into tears.

"You left," she whispered.

Elias's throat moved as he swallowed.

He reached out, brushing her damp hair from her face.

"I'm here now," he murmured.

Lily hiccuped. "You won't leave again?"

Elias exhaled sharply, his voice shaking.

"No, Lily," he whispered. "I won't."

Lily gave him a weak, teary smile before closing her eyes again.

And as she drifted off to sleep, still clutching the tablet with their picture—

Lani finally understood.

Elias wasn't just some worker.

He wasn't just some stranger in their lives.

He was family.

And she wasn't going to let him walk away again.