Lani lay awake that night, staring at the ceiling. Elias's words echoed in her mind.
"I don't want to miss another second with you either."
She had spent years building walls to protect herself, to shield her heart from the pain of betrayal, abandonment, and loneliness. But now, Elias was standing right outside those walls, knocking.
Could she really let him in?
A soft knock at her door startled her. She sat up, hesitating before saying, "Come in."
The door creaked open, and Elias stepped inside, his expression unreadable.
"You're still awake," he noted.
Lani sighed. "Couldn't sleep."
Elias nodded, stepping closer. "Me neither."
Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken emotions.
Then, Elias broke it. "Lani, I know you're scared. And I know I don't deserve your trust yet, but…" He exhaled. "I'm not giving up on us."
Lani swallowed hard. "Elias—"
He sat on the edge of her bed, his fingers brushing against hers. "I'm not asking you to love me again overnight. But don't push me away."
She looked down at their touching hands. "I'm not pushing you away."
Elias gave a sad smile. "Then let me stay."
Her breath hitched. "Stay?"
"Not just here. In your life. With the kids." His voice was almost pleading. "I know I don't have forever, but whatever time I have left, I want to spend it with you."
Lani's chest tightened.
She had spent so long convincing herself that she could do this alone. That she didn't need anyone.
But maybe… just maybe… she didn't have to.
After a long pause, she whispered, "Okay."
Elias's eyes softened. He didn't push for more. He simply nodded and stood up. "Goodnight, Lani."
And just like that, he was gone.
Lani stared at the door long after he left, her heart pounding.
Maybe it was time to let down the walls.
---
The Next Morning
Lani woke up feeling lighter than she had in years.
As she made her way downstairs, she heard laughter coming from the kitchen.
Peeking inside, she found Elias flipping pancakes while Lily sat on the counter, giggling. Luca sat at the table, arms crossed, but there was a ghost of a smile on his face.
Elias turned, catching sight of Lani. His lips curled into a smirk. "Morning, boss."
Lani rolled her eyes. "Really?"
He chuckled, flipping another pancake onto a plate. "Thought I'd make breakfast."
Lily beamed. "He makes the best pancakes ever, Mommy!"
Lani crossed her arms. "Is that so?"
Elias winked. "You'll have to try one to find out."
Lani took a seat as Elias placed a plate in front of her. She hesitated before taking a bite.
Damn.
She hated to admit it, but it was delicious.
Elias leaned against the counter, watching her. "Well?"
Lani huffed. "It's… okay."
Lily giggled. "Mommy's lying. She loves it."
Elias smirked. "I knew it."
Lani shook her head, hiding her smile behind her coffee cup.
For the first time in a long time, her house felt like a home.
And maybe, just maybe, she wasn't as alone as she thought.
The morning air was warm, and the smell of syrup and fresh coffee lingered in the kitchen. Lani sat at the table, absentmindedly cutting into her pancake while the kids chatted away.
Elias moved around the kitchen with ease, refilling Lily's juice and handing Luca another pancake without asking. He was already so familiar with their routines—it was almost like he had been there all along.
Lani wasn't sure how to feel about that.
"You're awfully quiet this morning," Elias said, breaking into her thoughts.
She blinked up at him, her fork pausing midair. "I'm just thinking."
Elias raised an eyebrow. "Dangerous."
Luca snorted while Lily giggled.
Lani sighed. "I should be used to your sarcasm by now."
"You love it," Elias shot back, smirking.
She rolled her eyes, but the truth was, she didn't mind it as much as she pretended to.
Lily suddenly turned to Elias with a bright smile. "Can we go to the park today?"
Elias glanced at Lani for approval.
She hesitated, then nodded. "Just don't be out too long. It's a school night."
Lily cheered. "Yay! Dad, you have to push me on the swings!"
Elias chuckled. "Of course, princess."
Luca muttered under his breath, "I'm not calling him that."
Elias smirked. "That's okay, I know you secretly like me."
Luca scoffed. "Keep dreaming."
Lani watched the exchange with an amused look. Elias had managed to win over both her kids in different ways. Lily adored him without hesitation, while Luca pretended not to care—but she could see that he was warming up to Elias, even if he wouldn't admit it.
And that scared her.
The more they let Elias in, the harder it would be if—no, when—he had to leave.
Lani pushed her plate away and stood. "I have some work to do. You guys enjoy your trip to the park."
Elias's eyes followed her as she walked out.
He knew she was running.
And he wasn't going to let her.
---
Later That Afternoon
Lani was in her office at Lelani Tech, staring at the same document for twenty minutes without actually reading it.
Her thoughts were a mess.
Elias. The kids. The way her home felt different now.
And worst of all—the fear of losing him.
A knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts.
"Come in," she called, expecting Olivia.
Instead, Elias stepped inside, his expression unreadable.
She frowned. "What are you doing here?"
"Dropped the kids off, figured I'd check on you."
"I'm fine."
Elias shut the door behind him and leaned against it. "No, you're not."
Lani glared at him. "You don't get to decide that."
Elias sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Lani, I know what you're doing. You're trying to push me away before I get too close."
She scoffed. "That's ridiculous."
"Is it?" Elias crossed his arms. "Because from where I'm standing, you're terrified of admitting you care."
Lani stood, her chair scraping against the floor. "Of course, I care, Elias! You're in my house, you take care of my kids—how could I not care?"
Elias stepped closer, his voice softer now. "Then why are you running?"
Lani clenched her jaw. "Because I don't know how to do this."
Elias studied her for a long moment.
Then he reached out, brushing his fingers against hers.
"You don't have to do it alone," he murmured.
Her breath hitched.
Elias didn't push for more. He just let the moment hang between them, giving her the space to decide.
Lani swallowed hard, her walls trembling but not yet falling.
"I need time," she whispered.
Elias nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Then take all the time you need."
For the first time in a long time, Lani felt like she could breathe.
Maybe—just maybe—she didn't have to be alone anymore.
To be continued…