After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter 4

Asher's lace froze when he heard Elara's words. He wasn't about to a

argue anymore.

"If that's how you feel, fine. Walk your ass home," he said, completely unfazed, not a shred of guilt in his voice. Then he turned to his father. "Drive"

Jefferson glanced at Elara, then at Asher, remembering how Elara usually was with his son. No matter how ugly it gets, they'll make up in a couple of days. She's always easygoing, he figured.

With that in mind, Jefferson shrugged off Elara's dramatic reaction, started the car, and drove away.

Elara stood there, stunned by Asher's nerve. "Fucking assholes! she fumed inwardly.

People nearby snickered at the scene. "Serves her right. She was acting like a total bitch, they whispered, amused by her

situation.

To everyone's surprise, Elara laughed too-though it was a bitter, angry laugh. She fished out a phone-Asher's ancient, clunky Nokia. She'd actually traded her brand-new Apple 3, a birthday gift, for this piece of junk, all to spare his damn pride. The thought felt absurd now.

Still, she used the phone to call her father. A few minutes later, the same Maybach that had just left rolled back to the entrance. Jefferson stepped out, his face stormy. It was clear he'd been chewed out. "Miss Kensington," he said, his voice stiff, forced.

Elara didn't miss a beat. "You really screwed up this time, didn't you?" she said coldly

Jefferson threw a quick glance toward the car, where Asher was helping Daphne out.

Daphne, looking totally caught off guard, glanced nervously at Elara. "Elara, I know you don't like me, but there's no need to take it out on Asher. He's always been good to you," she said, trying to sound reasonable but clearly rattled.

Asher cut her off sharply. "Don't. Say. A word to her, he snapped, making it clear that Elara had gone too far for his liking.

Elara didn't bother responding to either of them. Instead, she slid into the back seat, rolling down the window just before they drove off. She looked at Asher one last time, her smile calm, but full of finality. "Goodbye."

As they pulled away from the school, Jefferson stole a glance at Elara through the rearview mirror

Her icy calm caught him off guard, and he felt compelled to say something. "Miss Kensington, couples fight all the time. Don't take it to heart. Asher will apologize later. But without a ride, that poor guy might have to take the bus. Who knows how long he'll be stuck out there."

can't he? Or did you forget who signs your paycheck? If you've got a problem with me, feel free

in anger, Just because he's Asher's dad, he thinks he can talk to me like this? If

fell silent, realizing

her, shocked. "Miss Kensington,

was ice-cold. "There's Mr. Blackwood in this house

When the hell

he walked on. Even Asher and Jefferson had started acting like they oward

bitten her tongue, knowing any complaints would only piss Elara off. But

Chapter

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at her. She knew Ursa was the most loyal, kind-hearted of the staff. Still, because Ursa had always been caught up in Asher's drama, Elara had felt nothing but resentment toward her. Then, when Asher took over the family business, Ursa had been

flooding back, and seeing Ursa standing here now, Elara's eyes stung with unshed

said. T'm going

by

had always been around, but that was her father's doing. Elara had always been head over heels for

refuse to meet him, having someone else send him away.

to the hospital. And even after everything that happened, he still considered her his fiancée. That thought alone stirred up emotions she wasn't prepared for Before Ursa could leave. Elara called out, "Wait. Where is he? I want to

backyard, playing with

When she got there, she saw Lysander kneeling, hand-feeding Cotton-the dog she had wanted for so long but kept her distance from

his usual navy school uniform, nothing special, But on him, it looked good. Elara couldn't help but wonder how he managed

as successful as Lysander had stayed single all these years. The idea hit her hard, and

standing there. He looked like he wanted to come over but hesitated, probably remembering how cold she had been to him

greeted her softly, "Miss

stood out. He was the same age as her, yet carried himself with a maturity that

of four-star general. His success was practically legendary. and

always talked shit about how Lysander's success was just because of his silver-spoon upbringing and all those fancy schools. He was sure that if

saw Lysander hitting new highs, it pissed him off for no real reason,

had no beef with him-Lysander had never done a

front of her, Elara swallowed her emotions and asked, trying to sound chill. "What

you want?"

Just wanted to see how you're

"Look, I know you don't wanna see me. I'll leave