Chapter 20: A Reason to Stay

Elias exhaled slowly, his chest rising and falling as if he were battling himself. His fingers clenched into fists before he finally turned away, shaking his head.

"Lani… I don't know how to stay." His voice was quieter now, almost vulnerable.

Lani stepped closer, her heart pounding. "Then let me show you how."

Elias let out a bitter chuckle. "You make it sound so simple."

"It is," she insisted. "You don't have to go through this alone, Elias."

He glanced at her, his usual guarded expression cracking slightly. "I've always been alone."

Lani frowned, realizing how deep his wounds ran. How long had he been carrying this pain by himself?

"Not anymore," she said softly.

Elias inhaled sharply, turning away again as if he didn't trust himself to look at her.

Lani's eyes softened. "Come back home, Elias. You don't have to decide anything right now—just… come back."

Silence stretched between them.

Then, finally, he let out a long breath. "Just for a little while," he murmured.

Relief flooded her chest, but she didn't let it show. Instead, she nodded. "Okay."

Elias grabbed his jacket, still looking hesitant, but he followed her out the door.

—

Back at the Mansion

When they arrived, the house felt emptier than usual. The kids were still at school, and Angel had finished her morning cleaning and left. Lani led Elias inside, watching him carefully as he looked around like a stranger in his own home.

"You can take the guest room again," she said, breaking the silence.

Elias nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks."

Lani hesitated. "You should tell Lily and Luca yourself. About leaving, I mean."

Elias's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Yeah… I will."

Just then, the front door burst open, and Lily's voice filled the house.

"Eliasss!" she called out, her excitement echoing through the halls.

Elias barely had time to react before she launched herself at him, wrapping her little arms around his waist.

"You're back!" she beamed, looking up at him.

Elias's throat bobbed as he looked down at her, his hands hovering awkwardly before he gently ruffled her hair. "Yeah, I'm back, kid."

Luca appeared next, eyeing Elias with a scowl. "Took you long enough," he muttered.

Elias smirked, kneeling down to ruffle his hair too. "Miss me, tough guy?"

Luca scoffed, but his ears turned red. "No."

Lani watched the interaction, warmth blooming in her chest. He belonged here.

—

Later That Night

Dinner was quieter than usual. Lily sat next to Elias, clinging to him every chance she got. Luca pretended not to care but kept sneaking glances at Elias.

Lani, on the other hand, couldn't stop watching Elias. He was trying—trying to act like everything was normal, trying not to let them see how exhausted he was.

But she saw it.

After dinner, Lily dragged Elias to help with a puzzle while Lani stayed behind, cleaning up the dishes. She needed a moment to process everything.

Elias was sick. He was hurting. And yet, he was still here, for them.

For her.

Maybe, just maybe… that meant something.

Elias sat cross-legged on the floor beside Lily, who was intensely focused on fitting a puzzle piece into place. Luca sat on the couch nearby, pretending to read a book but sneaking glances at them every few seconds.

Lani stood in the doorway, arms crossed, watching the scene unfold. She was relieved that Elias had stayed, but something about him felt… different. His usual sharp confidence seemed muted, his movements a little slower.

Lily grinned, finally locking a piece in. "Yes! Elias, look!"

Elias smirked. "Not bad, kid. You might just be a puzzle master."

Lily giggled, nudging him. "You're just saying that."

Elias chuckled, but the sound was soft, almost distant. Lani didn't miss the way his shoulders tensed slightly as if something was weighing him down.

Luca closed his book with a loud thud and stood up. "I'm going to bed."

Lani arched an eyebrow. "Already?"

Luca shrugged, avoiding her gaze. "Yeah, whatever. Goodnight." He left quickly, his usual cool attitude replaced with something else—something Lani couldn't quite place.

Lily frowned. "Luca's acting weird."

Elias smirked. "He's fine. Just moody."

Lily yawned, resting her head against Elias's shoulder. "I'm sleepy too…"

Elias glanced down at her, brushing a hand over her hair. "Alright, time for bed then."

Lily grumbled but didn't protest when Elias lifted her up effortlessly.

Lani followed them up the stairs, stopping at Lily's door as Elias tucked her in. Lily reached for his hand before he could step away.

"You're staying, right?" she mumbled sleepily.

Elias hesitated, his gaze flickering toward Lani for the briefest second.

"Yeah," he finally said. "I'm staying."

Lily smiled before closing her eyes.

Lani exhaled, arms crossed as she leaned against the doorframe. "You're good with them," she admitted.

Elias smirked. "Shocking, huh?"

Lani rolled her eyes, but there was a softness in her expression. "A little."

They stood there in silence for a moment, the air between them thick with something unspoken.

Elias was the first to break it. "I should go get some rest."

Lani nodded, watching him walk past her toward the guest room. But as he reached the door, she couldn't help but speak.

"Elias."

He stopped, looking over his shoulder.

"You don't have to do this alone." Her voice was quiet, hesitant.

Elias's lips twitched into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Neither do you."

Then, before she could respond, he disappeared into his room, leaving Lani standing there, heart pounding, knowing that something between them had just shifted.

And she wasn't sure what to do about it.