Chapter 55: The Weight of Responsibility

The night after the family dinner, Elias lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling. Lani was fast asleep beside him, her steady breathing a comforting rhythm in the quiet room.

He had done it. He had gotten a job. He had taken the first step toward being someone his family could truly rely on.

But why did he still feel so… unsettled?

A part of him knew the answer.

His body was still weak. His health wasn't what it used to be, even though the doctors had assured him he had time.

Twenty years, they had said.

But what if that wasn't enough? What if something happened before then?

What if… he left Lani and the kids alone?

Elias turned his head slightly, his gaze landing on Lani's peaceful face. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from her cheek.

"I'll take care of you," he whispered, barely audible. "No matter what."

And with that, he closed his eyes, forcing himself into sleep.

---

The First Day on the Job

Elias adjusted his tie, staring at his reflection in the office building's glass doors.

This was it. His first official day as an assistant.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside.

The office was sleek, modern, and filled with the soft hum of productivity. Employees bustled about, typing away at their computers, answering calls, and carrying stacks of paperwork.

Elias made his way to the receptionist, who gave him a polite but indifferent nod before directing him to the CEO's office.

When he arrived, the large wooden door was slightly ajar. He knocked twice before stepping in.

Inside, a man in his late forties sat behind an expansive desk, reviewing documents with sharp, calculating eyes.

Nathan Sterling. CEO.

He looked up at Elias and studied him for a moment before setting his papers aside.

"So, you're Elias," he said.

"Yes, sir." Elias straightened.

Nathan nodded. "I read your file. No experience in corporate work, but you're a fast learner. That true?"

Elias met his gaze. "Yes, sir."

Nathan leaned back in his chair. "Good. I don't tolerate incompetence. You'll be working directly under me, which means you'll need to anticipate my needs before I even say them. Can you handle that?"

Elias swallowed but nodded. "Yes, sir."

Nathan studied him for a moment longer before smirking. "Alright. Let's see if you're as capable as you claim."

And just like that, his first day began.

---

Days turned into weeks, and Elias slowly got used to the rhythm of corporate life.

The work was exhausting, and the hours were long, but he didn't complain.

Every night, he came home drained, but he put on a smile for Lani and the kids, refusing to let them see how much pressure he was under.

"Daddy, let's play!" Lily would say the moment he stepped through the door.

And no matter how tired he was, Elias would kneel down and scoop her into his arms, pretending to be a monster chasing her around the house.

Lani noticed the exhaustion in his eyes, but every time she asked, he brushed it off with a reassuring smile.

"I'm fine," he would say. "Just a long day."

But in reality, it was more than that.

He was struggling.

Balancing work, family, and his health was proving to be harder than he thought.

And eventually… something had to give.

---

It happened late one evening.

Elias was working overtime, buried under a mountain of paperwork. He had barely eaten all day, running on coffee and sheer determination.

His vision blurred, his hands trembled slightly, but he forced himself to keep going.

Just one more report.

Just one more hour.

But then, as he reached for his pen, everything around him spun.

The office lights flickered in his vision. His breathing became shallow.

And then—

Darkness.

He collapsed onto the desk, unconscious.

To be continued…