Chapter 33: The Weight of Choices

Elias sat in his small apartment later that night, staring at the folder Olivia had given him. The weight of the papers felt heavier than it should, like it carried the entirety of his future in its pages.

A heart transplant. A second chance at life.

It was terrifying.

He had spent so many years believing his time was limited, that the best thing he could do was not get attached, not let anyone in, not leave people behind to grieve him. But Lani, Olivia, and even the kids—they weren't letting him disappear so easily.

His thoughts drifted to Lily's bright eyes, the way she held onto him like he was something irreplaceable.

Luca's quiet yet observant nature, always watching, always analyzing.

And Lani… Lani, who had done more for him in the past few months than anyone ever had in his entire life.

A knock at his door pulled him out of his thoughts. He frowned—he wasn't expecting anyone.

When he opened it, his stepbrother stood there, smirking.

"What do you want, Darren?" Elias asked, already exhausted.

Darren shrugged. "Just checking in on my dear big brother. You know, Dad's been talking about you a lot lately."

Elias's stomach twisted. "I doubt that."

"Well," Darren stepped inside uninvited, glancing around the tiny apartment with obvious disdain, "he's been wondering why you're wasting your time playing babysitter when you could be working a real job."

Elias clenched his jaw. "I'm not having this conversation with you."

Darren chuckled. "Oh, but I think you should. You see, dear brother, I overheard something interesting." His eyes gleamed with something cruel. "Lani… she's getting attached to you, isn't she?"

Elias's stomach sank. "Leave her out of this."

Darren leaned against the doorframe. "And the little girl… Lily, right? She really likes you."

Elias's fists tightened. "I swear, Darren—"

"Relax," Darren laughed, holding up his hands. "I'm just saying… when people get attached to you, they get hurt. You should know that by now."

Elias felt something ice-cold settle in his chest. He knew that. He had lived that truth his entire life.

Darren pushed off the wall, his smirk widening. "You should think about that before you let them get any closer."

And with that, he was gone.

Elias shut the door and leaned against it, his breath shaking.

Was Darren right? Was he just setting them all up for heartbreak?

He looked at the folder in his hand, his fingers tightening around it.

Maybe it was time to finally fight.

Lani's Struggle

At Lelani Tech, Lani sat in her office, staring blankly at her laptop screen. She hadn't been able to focus all day.

Ever since Elias told her he was quitting, her mind had been a mess. She had convinced him to stay, but for how long?

A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Come in," she called.

Olivia entered, closing the door behind her. "You look like hell."

Lani let out a humorless laugh. "Thanks."

Olivia sat across from her. "So, what's going on?"

Lani sighed. "It's Elias."

Olivia raised an eyebrow. "What about him?"

Lani hesitated. "I… I think I love him."

Olivia blinked. "Wow. That's big."

Lani groaned, rubbing her temples. "I don't even know how it happened. I mean, he's annoying, stubborn, and impossible to deal with. But he's also kind, patient, and… the kids adore him."

Olivia smirked. "Sounds like you do too."

Lani glared. "Not helping."

Olivia chuckled. "Okay, okay. So, what are you going to do about it?"

Lani exhaled. "I don't know. He's sick, Olivia. And he's scared. I don't want to push him into something he's not ready for."

Olivia studied her. "Lani, has it ever occurred to you that maybe you are what he needs?"

Lani bit her lip. "What if I can't save him?"

Olivia's voice softened. "Then at least he won't have to fight alone."

Lani swallowed hard.

Maybe that was all she could do—just be there, no matter what happened.

She just hoped Elias would let her.

That night, Elias stood outside Lani's house, the folder still in his hands.

For the first time in years, he was ready to fight for himself.

And for them.

He knocked on the door.

When Lani opened it and saw him standing there, her eyes widened.

"I'm staying," Elias said before she could speak. His voice was firm, steady. "I'm getting the surgery."

Lani's breath hitched. "Elias…"

Before she could say anything else, he reached out and cupped her face, his thumb brushing against her cheek.

"I don't know what's going to happen," he admitted. "But if I have a chance to live, I want to take it."

Lani felt tears prick at her eyes. "We'll fight together."

Elias exhaled, nodding.

For the first time in his life, he wasn't fighting alone.

To be continued…