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."

icy, her voice sharp. If everyone else can take the bus, why the hell can't he? Or did you forget who signs

can talk to me like this? If I hadn't called my dad. they would've just fucking left me

fell silent, realizing he had

maid, Ursa Fowler stared at her, shocked.

Mr. Blackwood in this

off guard. When the hell

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

knowing any complaints would only piss Elara off. But hearing her say this now, Ursa didn't

Chapter

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up in Asher's drama, Elara had felt nothing but resentment toward her. Then, when

all these memories came flooding back, and seeing Ursa standing here

she said. T'm going

Mr. Hawthorne stopped by earlier. I'll let him know you're not

Elara had always been head over heels for Asher,

visited, she'd refuse to meet him, having someone else send him away. The two of them had barely exchanged words over

everything that happened, he still considered her his fiancée. That thought alone stirred up emotions she wasn't prepared for

backyard, playing with Cotton Ursa

Lysander kneeling, hand-feeding Cotton-the dog she had wanted for so long but kept her distance from because Asher hated pets. Watching Lysander now, so at ease with the dog, a wave of surprise

him, it looked good. Elara couldn't help but wonder how he managed to make even something

before her death-how someone as successful as Lysander had stayed single all these years. The idea hit

standing there. He looked like he wanted

he just greeted her softly,

his looks. It was his calm. grounded presence that really stood out. He was the same

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

all those fancy schools. He was sure that if he'd had the same advantages, he'd be just

Asher saw Lysander hitting new highs, it pissed him off for no real reason, and before long. Elara found herself

it, she had no beef with him-Lysander had

with Lysander standing right in front of her, Elara swallowed her emotions and asked,

you want?"

smile. Just wanted to see

didn't respond, he added quickly. "Look, I know