Chapter 52: A Family Divided

Lani stood at the front door, her heart racing with anticipation. Her mother, Emily, had always been her pillar of strength, the person she could rely on no matter what. But her father… James Carlisle was another story entirely.

She hadn't seen either of them in years, and now they were finally visiting. She wanted this to be a happy reunion—for her, for the kids, and for Elias.

The doorbell rang.

Taking a deep breath, she opened it.

Emily stood there first, smiling warmly. She was as elegant as ever, her soft curls pinned back neatly, her kind eyes shining with love.

"My baby," Emily whispered before pulling Lani into a tight hug.

"Mom," Lani choked out, hugging her just as tightly.

When they pulled away, Emily cupped her daughter's face. "I've missed you so much, sweetheart."

"I missed you too," Lani whispered back.

But then she saw the man standing slightly behind Emily—James Carlisle.

Dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, his sharp gaze swept over Lani with a critical air. He hadn't aged much, still holding that same intimidating presence.

"Leilani," he said curtly.

"Dad," she greeted, her voice more distant.

James barely nodded before his eyes moved past her, into the house.

"Are you going to invite us in, or should we stand out here all day?"

Emily sent him a warning glance but sighed. Lani forced a smile and stepped aside. "Come in."

---

Meeting the Family

The moment Emily stepped inside, she was greeted with an excited squeal.

"Grandma!" Lily came rushing forward, launching herself into Emily's arms.

Emily gasped and laughed, holding the little girl close. "Oh, my sweet Lily! You've gotten so big!"

Luca stood back with his arms crossed, his eyes scanning his grandparents carefully. "You're really my mom's parents?"

Emily turned to him, her eyes softening. "Yes, sweetheart. And you must be Luca."

Luca tilted his head. "You don't seem so bad."

Emily chuckled. "Well, thank you. I hope we can be good friends."

But while Emily embraced the twins with warmth, James stood stiffly behind her, his face unreadable. His gaze flicked to them, then narrowed.

"So these are the children." His tone was cold.

Lani's stomach dropped.

Elias chose that moment to step into the room. His sharp eyes immediately landed on the newcomers, and he took a step closer to Lani, protective as always.

James's gaze snapped to him, assessing.

"And you must be Elias," James said, his voice dripping with disapproval.

Elias met his eyes evenly. "Yes, sir. It's nice to meet you."

James scoffed. "Is it?"

The tension in the room thickened.

Emily shot her husband a sharp glare, but he ignored her. Instead, he turned his gaze back to the twins, his expression hard.

"I still can't believe these children exist," James muttered, shaking his head. "And with a nobody for a father, no less."

Silence.

Elias didn't react outwardly, but Lani felt his whole body tense beside her.

Lily shrank back slightly, confused by the sudden shift in mood. Luca, however, clenched his fists, his face darkening.

But it was Leo who spoke first.

"Excuse me?"

James turned to him, unimpressed. "I said what I said. These kids are bastards. And this—" he gestured toward Elias with disdain, "—this man is no one. A lowlife playing house with my daughter."

Leo's whole body bristled with rage. His jaw clenched, his hands balled into fists.

"Say that again," Leo growled.

"Leo," Lani warned, placing a hand on his arm.

But Leo was shaking with anger. "No, Lani. I won't let this slide."

He took a step toward James, his voice dropping to a furious whisper.

"You don't get to walk into their lives after years of being absent and insult them," Leo spat. "You don't get to look down on Elias when he's a better man than you'll ever be."

James raised an eyebrow, seemingly unaffected. "And who exactly are you to speak to me like this?"

Leo let out a sharp laugh. "I'm someone who actually gives a damn about this family. Unlike you."

Lily, sensing the tension, tugged on Elias's sleeve. "Daddy?" she whispered, her voice laced with worry.

At the word Daddy, James's expression turned even more disgusted.

"So, you really let them call you that?" James sneered. "How pathetic."

Lani's patience snapped.

"Enough!" she hissed.

The room went silent.

Lani took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm for the sake of her children.

"I invited you here because I wanted my family together," she said, her voice steady but firm. "But if all you're going to do is insult the people I love, then you can leave."

James looked taken aback for a moment before his expression darkened. "You're choosing them over your own blood?"

Lani lifted her chin. "Elias is my family. So are Lily and Luca. If you can't respect that, you don't belong here."

Emily, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke.

"That's enough, James." Her voice was firm, filled with disappointment.

James turned to her. "Emily—"

"No," she cut him off. "I've let you be this way for far too long. I won't let you poison this family with your outdated pride."

James scowled but said nothing.

Lani turned to Emily, her heart still racing. "Mom, I don't want you to leave, but if he stays…"

Emily gave her a sad smile. "I understand, sweetheart."

She turned to James, her eyes pleading. "James, if you walk out that door now, you may never get a chance to come back."

James hesitated, looking between Lani, Emily, and Elias.

But then he scoffed. "I won't stay where I'm not wanted."

And with that, he turned and left.

Silence filled the room once again.

Lani sighed, closing her eyes briefly before turning to Emily. "Mom, I'm sorry."

Emily shook her head. "Don't be. I'm proud of you." She squeezed Lani's hand. "You stood up for your family. That's all that matters."

Lily hugged Elias tightly, her small voice trembling. "I don't like Grandpa."

Elias kissed the top of her head. "It's okay, sweetheart. You don't have to."

Luca, however, was still glaring at the door James had walked out of. "He doesn't deserve to be our grandpa."

Leo let out a breath, rubbing his temple. "That man is a piece of work."

Elias, who had been quiet through most of it, finally spoke.

"Thank you," he said, his voice low but filled with gratitude.

Lani looked at him. "For what?"

"For choosing me," Elias said softly. "For choosing us."

Lani squeezed his hand. "You were never a choice, Elias. You were always my family."

Elias's eyes softened, and he pulled her into a gentle embrace.

Emily watched them, a sad but proud smile on her face.

No matter what happened, Lani had made the right choice.

And nothing—not even James Carlisle—could change that.

To be continued…