After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter 2

Daphne was sprawled out on the table, looking half-dead, while a tum h of people hovered around her, trying to pamper her

She looked worn out, clearly uncomfortable, but no one seemed more on edge than Asher.

Asher was supposed to be Daphne's boyfriend, but he kept insisting to everyone that they were just friends"

Still, their names always popped up together at the top of every exam ranking. Asher was cold and distant with most people. but when it came to Daphne, he had this weird, protective streak.

To everyone else, they looked like they just fit-both smart, both successful. They seemed perfect together. in-both

But there was a third wheel in this mess: Elara. She was always there, lurking in the background, tailing Asher like some lovesick Puppy Shed sleepwalk through classes, but as soon as they ended, she'd be the first to grabs Asher whatever he needed -coffee, snacks, whatever.

And right now. Asher was doing it again. "Co grab some painkillers for Daphne, he barked not even glancing her way

Elara finally grasped that she had time-traveled, and she couldn't help but find the whole thing darkly amusing.

She stood there, a chaotic mess of emotions churning inside her. What the fuck did I do to end up in this shitstorm? Playing the clueless idiot in this pathetic excuse for a freak showe?" she fumed, the bitterness biting hand.

She thought back to all those times she'd run herself ragged for Asher, thinking it meant something, like it made her special to him. He didn't order anyone else around like this-pist her

But after everything she'd been through, after facing down life and death. Elara finally saw Asher's bullshit for what it was plain and simple.

Who the fuck do you think you are. Asher she thought, feeling something snap inside her.

When she didn't jump to it right away, Asher snapped, "What the hell are you standing around for? Got And hurry the fuck up!" He didn't wait for a response, turning back to Daphne, patting her back with this infuriating gentleness. Daphne glanced at Elara, then looked at Asher and said, "Isn't it a bit much to send her alone! I can go myself"

"There's no need." Asher waved her off, completely sure of himself. "She doesn't mind. Do you. Elara?" He shot her a look.

a smile, eager to please him, afraid of pissing him off. Anytime they argued, she was always

smug look on Asher's face, something inside her cracked open. A small, defiant smile tugged at the comer of her

plain cafeteria. the food was like

mouthwatering dishes felt like a race against time. A second's hesitation could mean

the cafeteria, grabbing two meals without

a sharp contrast to

food and looking out for him like he was the sun in her universe. Her devotion quickly became the talk of the

turn when Asher started getting close to Daphne, making Elara's two-meal routine feel downright

think twice about handling his portion over to Daphne, while Elara, feeling

"Well, look who it is-the loyal lapdog fetching food for the young master again. But let's be real: your prince has his eyes on

eyebrow, "What the hell do you mean I don't stand

being a princess. Wake the hell up!

but she kept her cool. "Did

the richest guy in Brookfield, and Asher? Just the

just the maid's kid?' she thought,

rolled their eyes. "What else could it be? Now hurry up and deliver the lunch

of the cafeteria, the laughter followed her, a chorus of scorn at her affection and guts for pursuing someone

Elara found a quiet spot

felt like ages since she'd enjoyed a meal in peace. Usually, she was scraping by, picking up

slie polished off

the time she stepped into the classroom, the

got to be fucking kidding me. Why are

back, her tone icy-so different from the warmth

anything for him, giving him all of her love while he

believed that if she tried hard enough, loved him enough, he'd eventually come around. But now, with fresh eyes, she saw the truth-she'd

he didn't just take it for granted. No, he started thinking they deserved it, He convinced himself his shine was all thanks to everyone else's endless admiration. And he'd