Chapter 31: Unraveling Walls

The rest of the week passed in a blur, but Lani felt every second of it.

She tried to focus on work, on meetings, on strategies for Lelani Tech. But her mind kept drifting—to Elias, to the kids, to the way her life had slowly started to revolve around him without her even realizing it.

Every time she saw Lily light up around him or Luca pretend not to care while secretly watching him, it chipped away at the walls she had spent years building.

And she hated it.

Because what if she let them fall—only for Elias to disappear?

---

Friday Evening: Movie Night

The living room was dimly lit, the soft glow from the TV casting shadows on the walls.

Lily was curled up next to Elias on the couch, clutching a bowl of popcorn. Luca sat on the other side, pretending not to enjoy himself, but his eyes were glued to the screen.

Lani sat at the far end, pretending to work on her laptop, but her gaze kept drifting to Elias.

He was relaxed, comfortable in their home like he belonged there.

And that terrified her.

"Elias, do you like being here?" Lily asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

Elias turned to her, surprised by the question. "Of course, princess. Why?"

Lily hesitated. "Because… you always look like you're about to leave."

Lani's heart clenched.

Elias was quiet for a moment, then he reached out and ruffled Lily's hair. "I'm not going anywhere right now."

Lily beamed, satisfied with the answer.

But Lani knew what he really meant.

Not right now.

That didn't mean forever.

---

Later That Night

After putting the kids to bed, Lani found Elias in the kitchen, pouring himself a glass of water.

She leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. "Lily's right, you know."

Elias turned, raising an eyebrow. "About what?"

"You do look like you're always about to leave."

Elias sighed, setting his glass down. "Lani—"

"Don't," she cut him off. "Just tell me the truth. Do you want to leave?"

Elias met her gaze, something unreadable in his eyes. "It's not about what I want."

Lani's chest tightened. "Then what is it about?"

Elias hesitated, and for the first time, she saw something vulnerable in him.

Fear.

Sadness.

Resignation.

"You deserve someone who can promise forever," he said quietly. "And I don't know if I can."

Lani took a step closer. "What if I don't care about forever?"

Elias let out a soft, humorless laugh. "You should."

She shook her head. "Maybe I just care about right now."

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then Elias reached out, hesitating for only a second before gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"If I stay…" His voice was barely above a whisper. "I don't know if I'll be able to leave."

Lani's breath caught.

"Then don't," she whispered.

And for the first time, Elias had no comeback.

No sarcasm.

No walls.

Just silence.

A silence that said more than words ever could

The silence stretched between them, thick with tension. Lani's heart pounded against her ribs as she searched Elias's face, waiting for a response.

But Elias didn't speak.

He didn't have to.

The way his fingers lingered near her cheek, the way his lips parted slightly as if debating what to say—it was enough.

Lani had spent years shielding herself from emotions like this. She had built a fortress around her heart, brick by brick. But Elias wasn't tearing it down.

He was slipping through the cracks.

She took a slow breath, grounding herself. "Elias," she started again, voice softer this time. "You don't have to run."

His expression wavered, and for a moment, she saw the man behind the mask—the one who carried the weight of his past like a burden he was too exhausted to hold.

"You don't understand," he finally said, shaking his head.

Lani's jaw tightened. "Then make me understand."

Elias exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. He took a step back, distancing himself. "It's not that simple."

"It is that simple," she argued. "You're the one making it complicated."

His gaze snapped to hers, and for the first time in a long time, she saw frustration flicker in his eyes.

"Lani, I'm dying."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut.

She already knew about his health, but hearing him say it—hearing the finality in his voice—made it real in a way she wasn't ready for.

Lani swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. "You're fighting it," she whispered. "You're still here."

Elias let out a bitter laugh. "For how long?"

Her hands clenched into fists. "For as long as you can."

He shook his head, looking away. "You should hate me for getting this close. For letting Lily get attached. For letting you—"

Lani took a step forward, closing the distance between them. "Don't you dare put this on me."

Elias's jaw tightened. "I don't want to hurt you."

"Then don't," she snapped. "Don't run. Don't push me away just because you think you're protecting me."

He stared at her, conflict raging behind his eyes. "Lani…"

She took his hand, gripping it tightly. "You're not alone in this."

His fingers twitched in hers, as if fighting the urge to hold on.

But then, slowly, he did.

And for the first time, Elias let himself believe that maybe—just maybe—he didn't have to carry the weight alone.

---

The Next Morning

Lani woke up to the sound of soft giggles coming from the living room. She rubbed her eyes, stretching before slipping out of bed.

As she made her way down the hall, she spotted Lily curled up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, while Elias sat beside her, showing her something on his phone.

Luca was sitting nearby, pretending to be disinterested but clearly listening.

Lani leaned against the doorway, watching them.

Elias looked different this morning. Lighter, almost. As if some of the weight he carried had been lifted, even if just a little.

Lily noticed her first. "Mommy!" She grinned. "Elias is showing me pictures of when he was little!"

Lani raised an eyebrow, stepping closer. "Oh?"

Elias smirked, tilting the phone toward her. "Proof that I was once a troublemaker just like them."

Lani chuckled as she glanced at the picture—Elias as a boy, covered in mud, grinning mischievously at the camera.

Lily giggled. "You were so messy!"

Luca snorted. "Still is."

Elias scoffed. "Hey, I'm much more responsible now."

Lily clung to his arm. "I think you're the best!"

Elias's expression softened as he patted her head. "You're pretty great too, princess."

Lani's heart swelled at the sight.

He belonged here.

Even if he refused to admit it, even if he still thought he didn't deserve it—he did.

And she was going to prove it to him.

No matter how long they had.

To be continued…