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.

afraid of pissing him off. Anytime they argued, she was

something inside her cracked open. A small, defiant smile tugged at the comer of her mouth-something

was like gold-scarce and sparking fierce competition

a race against time. A second's

then. Elara was always the first to sprint into the cafeteria, grabbing two meals

spent every spare minute buried in his books, a sharp contrast to Elara, who

and looking out for him like he was the sun in her universe. Her devotion

close to Daphne, making Elara's two-meal routine feel

his portion over to Daphne, while Elara, feeling like a complete idiot, would silently offer hers too-choosing hunger

picked up their meals, a classmate sneered, "Well, look who it is-the loyal lapdog fetching food for the young master again. But let's be real: your prince

"What the hell do you

being a princess. Wake the hell up! You'll end up washing his clothes and changing his

but she kept her cool.

in Brookfield, and Asher? Just the chauffeur's kid. She let him

now everyone sees Asher as the 'prince and I'm just the maid's kid?' she thought, disbelief swirling

it be? Now hurry up and deliver the lunch to your prince, they

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

found a quiet spot by the flowerbed, Sitting down, she

ages since she'd enjoyed a meal in peace. Usually, she was scraping

It wasn't until slie polished off both that the gnawing hunger finally eased a

time she stepped into the classroom, the bell had already rung

his eyes. "You've got to be fucking kidding me. Why

different from the warmth she used

was a time when she'd do anything for him, giving him

hard enough, loved him enough, he'd eventually come around. But now, with fresh eyes, she

granted. No, he started thinking they deserved it, He convinced himself his shine was all thanks to everyone else's endless