Chapter 23: A New Kind of Battle

Elias looked at Lani, her eyes filled with determination. He wanted to argue, to tell her that she didn't understand, that she didn't have to carry his burden. But the way she stood, unwavering, made something inside him crack.

"I don't want your pity," he muttered.

Lani narrowed her eyes. "Do I look like someone who pities you?"

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Lani… I don't have much time left."

Her expression didn't waver. "Then let's make the time you do have count."

Elias shook his head. "It's not that simple."

"It is," she insisted. "You think you're protecting us by pushing us away, but you're not. You're hurting us. You're hurting yourself."

Elias clenched his jaw. "I'm used to doing things on my own."

"I don't care," Lani snapped. "You're not alone anymore."

He swallowed hard. The weight of those words hit him deeper than he expected.

Lani took a step closer, lowering her voice. "Elias, let me help you. Let us help you."

Elias stayed silent, his heart pounding—not from sickness this time, but from something else.

Something dangerous.

Something he wasn't sure he could resist.

Later That Day

Elias didn't leave.

He wasn't sure why, but he stayed. Maybe it was because of Lily's bright eyes when she saw him, or Luca's silent approval when he didn't protest his presence.

Maybe it was because of Lani.

He sat on the couch, watching as Lily played with her dolls, happily chatting away. Lani was in the kitchen, talking to Olivia on the phone. He could hear snippets of their conversation.

"…I don't know how to convince him, Liv… He's so damn stubborn."

Elias smirked slightly. She's one to talk.

Angel, the housekeeper, came in with a tray of tea, placing a cup in front of him. "Drink," she said simply before walking off.

Elias sighed. He wasn't used to people taking care of him.

He wasn't sure how to feel about it.

Lani walked in a few minutes later, arms crossed. "Alright. If you're staying, you're going to follow some rules."

Elias raised a brow. "Rules?"

"Yes." She sat across from him. "One, you let me take you to your doctor's appointments. No arguments."

He opened his mouth to protest, but she held up a hand.

"Two, you don't hide things from me. If you're in pain, you tell me."

Elias exhaled. "Lani—"

"Three," she continued, ignoring him. "You accept that you matter to us."

That last one made his throat tighten.

Lani held his gaze. "Can you do that?"

Elias was quiet for a long moment. Then, finally, he nodded.

Lani let out a breath. "Good."

She stood up, walking past him. But before she left the room, she paused.

"…And Elias?"

He looked up.

She hesitated, then said softly, "I meant what I said. You're not alone anymore."

Then she was gone, leaving him sitting there, his heart pounding harder than it should.

Elias sat in silence long after Lani had walked away, his mind a storm of conflicting emotions. He wasn't used to this—to people caring, to feeling like he belonged somewhere. And yet, here he was, sitting in a home that wasn't his but somehow felt more like home than anywhere else ever had.

Lily ran up to him, climbing onto the couch beside him without hesitation. "Elias," she said, tugging at his sleeve.

He looked down at her, his heart softening instantly. "Yeah?"

"Are you sick?" she asked, tilting her head.

Elias hesitated. He had never talked about his condition with her before, but she was smart. She had picked up on something.

"I just get tired sometimes," he said, offering her a small smile.

Lily pouted. "Mommy says when people are sick, they have to go to the doctor and eat their food and rest."

He chuckled. "Yeah, well, your mommy's very bossy."

Lily giggled. "She is!" Then her expression turned serious. "But she loves you."

Elias froze, his breath catching in his throat. "What?"

Lily shrugged. "I see the way she looks at you."

Elias looked away, suddenly feeling warm. "Lily, it's not—"

She placed a tiny hand over his. "Promise me you won't leave."

His chest tightened.

Lily had already lost a father she never even got to know. And now, here she was, looking at him like he was someone who mattered.

He should have told her no. Should have told her that he couldn't promise that.

But instead, he squeezed her little hand and said, "I'll try."

It wasn't a full promise. But it was something.

And for now, that was enough.

Later That Night

Lani stood in her bedroom, staring out the window at the city lights. She had done a lot of crazy things in her life, but this—fighting for Elias, forcing him to stay—felt like the riskiest thing she had ever done.

She was falling for him.

She knew it.

And it scared her.

There was a soft knock at her door, and she turned to see Olivia standing there, arms crossed.

"So," Olivia said, stepping inside. "How's Mr. Stubborn?"

Lani sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Still trying to act like he doesn't need anyone."

Olivia smirked. "And yet, he's still here."

Lani bit her lip. "Yeah."

Her best friend's expression softened. "You love him, don't you?"

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

Olivia raised a brow. "Liar."

Lani groaned, throwing herself onto the bed. "Fine! Maybe I do. But what does it matter? He's sick, Liv. I don't know how much time he has left."

Olivia sat beside her. "Then make the time he does have count."

Lani closed her eyes. "I don't know if I can handle losing him."

Olivia placed a hand on hers. "You're strong, Lani. And so is he."

Lani turned her head, staring at the ceiling.

Maybe Olivia was right.

Maybe love wasn't about forever.

Maybe it was about making every moment matter.

And maybe, just maybe, she was willing to take that risk.st time in a long time, it wasn't from fear.

It was from something else entirely.