CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Leilani POV

Leilani’s fingers twitched, curling into fists as she gripped her blanket,tighter in her hand, the tension was thick enough to choke on, and her temper simmered just beneath the surface, her mother started to speak

" I'll take the twins and leave if you don't get out" she mumbled

" Leilani " she huffed Leilani made for the door but, her father stepped in, his hand firm on her mother’s arm.

“That’s enough,” he said, his voice a low warning. His eyes flickered toward Leilani, and she could see the concern behind his gaze.

“Let’s go, Cara .” he muttered

Her mother’s lips thinned into a tight line, but she didn’t argue,she allowed her father to guide her out of the room with one last glance in Leilani’s direction.

The door clicked shut behind them, leaving Leilani in the heavy silence, she could hear the sound of her dad's heavy footsteps fading down the hallway, followed by the muffled tones of their ongoing argument.

The knot in her chest began to unravel, even as the sting of her mother’s words lingered,she let out a shaky breath and sat on the edge of her bed, her body slacking as anger gave way to sadness. The fact that she could not have a loving relationship with her mother was more saddening than anything. They bickered and fought all the time, and Leilani could never complain, she didn’t want her mother knowing how much her words hurt.

A soft knock on her door brought her attention back to the present.

“Leilani.” she called out, her voice was soft, Leilani when opened her eyes, and saw her sister standing by the doorway, her hands nervously patting the straps of her bag.

" Sorry about mom" she mumbled and she shrugged,

" It's not your fault anyway, " she replied and Ella sighed

“You should get some rest. It’s been a long night.”

Leilani forced a small smile,

“Thanks, Ella. I will. You should get some rest.” Ella hovered for a moment

" Go " she mumbled and her sister nodded slipping out of the room, leaving her alone again.

She lay back against the pillows, staring blankly at the ceiling willing her racing thoughts to calm.

What was really keeping her here, she didn't really want to be with her family the temptation to leave was still there but her sister was right ,running away wouldn’t fix anything.

I have to show her I’m not weak.

Tomorrow was another chance.

With a deep breath, she pulled back the covers and slid into bed and forced herself to close her eyes and focus on the sound of her own breathing on she fell asleep.

---

The morning sun filtered through the blinds, casting a warm glow across the room. Leilani stirred beneath the blankets, her eyes fluttering open as the light spilled over her face.

She blinked a few times, her mind still foggy with sleep, sitting up, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stretched rubbing her eyes.

It was still early, she glanced at the clock on the bedside table, she nodded.

It was time to do something about this, she had to start looking for a place of her own. She couldn’t stand the thought of staying under her parents' roof any longer, not when every conversation with her mother turned into a battle.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, stretching her arms above her head.Her shoulders were still tense. She grabbed her phone from the nightstand and pulled up a list of real estate listings she’d saved the night before.

She was ready for this, she walked into the shower and took a quick bath and went to the twins room. They were not in so she jogged down the stairs, they were sitting on the dinning table

" Hello sweetie's " she mumbled kissing them on their cheek,

" Mommy let's go out" they called and she smiled

" Later "

" I'm going out " she told her sister grabbing a piece of toast

" Have some proper breakfast" she called out as Leilani waved to her . She had a few listings in mind, places she had bookmarked online, but she was also open to something —anything that felt like a fresh start,the streets were filled as she made her way through the neighborhoods.

Some of the properties looked promising, but she wasn’t ready to make a decision yet, she wanted to explore all her options before committing.

She rounded the corner of a quiet street, her attention was drawn to a beautiful house with large windows and a porch.

She could see how making it childproof would work. She slowed her pace, admiring the way the morning light caught the edges of the roof. It was exactly the kind of place she could imagine herself living—a home that felt warm and inviting,but a little to out of her price range.

Just as she was about to take another step, she collided into something solid, she stumbled backward, her heart skipping a beat as she looked up to see who she had run into.

“ easy there.” the man said his voice was deep, familiar, her heart started a marathon in her chest trying to see who would leap out first.

He reached out to steady,his hands gentle on her arm,but she was of little help, she just stood frozen as she recognized his voice.

“Didn’t mean to startle you.” he offered and she immediately pulled away from him, pulling her hair over her face hoping he wouldn't recognize her.

She was rarely that lucky.

“Leilani?” he called and she sighed there was no escaping it.

She looked up and saw him standing a few feet away,he gave her a smile, one that sent a surge of excitement through her even as she crashed to earth.

Gustin had always had that effect on her—charming, yet able to break her heart with just a word or action.

“Gustin,” she greeted him, her voice steady though her heart had picked up its pace.

“What brings you out here?” he asked, stepping closer,to her even as she pulled away from him

" You owe me a meeting" he muttered and she swallowed

" I don't think so "

“Are you looking for a new place to live,” he said, looking to her purse.

" I don't see why I have to tell you that" she muttered and he scowled

" You–" he started

" Honey this place is too–" a female voice echoed coming to a stop, she looked to the woman and paled.