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."

everyone else can take the bus, why the hell can't he? Or did you forget who signs your paycheck? If you've got a problem with me, feel free to quit instead of lecturing

he's Asher's dad, he thinks he can talk to me like

quickly fell silent, realizing

at her, shocked. "Miss Kensington, why are you

ice-cold. "There's Mr. Blackwood

caught off guard. When the hell did

had bent over backward for Asher, practically worshiping the ground he walked on.

tongue, knowing any complaints would only piss Elara off.

Chapter

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in Asher's drama, Elara had felt nothing but resentment toward her. Then, when Asher took over the family business, Ursa

flooding back, and seeing Ursa standing here now, Elara's

T'm going upstairs for a

nodded. "Alright. Oh, and Mr. Hawthorne stopped by earlier. I'll let him know you're not

been around, but that was her father's doing. Elara had always been head over heels for Asher, so she couldn't stand Lysander and made sure

having someone else send him away. The two of them had

considered her his fiancée. That thought alone stirred up emotions she wasn't prepared for Before Ursa could

in the backyard, playing with Cotton Ursa

out back. When she got there, she saw Lysander kneeling, hand-feeding Cotton-the dog she had wanted for so long but kept her distance from because Asher hated pets. Watching Lysander

good. Elara couldn't help but wonder how he managed

thought about the rumors she'd heard before her death-how someone as successful as Lysander had stayed single all these years. The idea hit her hard, and before she knew it, her eyes

noticed her standing there. He looked like he wanted to come over but hesitated, probably remembering how cold she

he just greeted

just his looks. It was his calm. grounded presence that really stood out. He was the same age as her, yet carried himself with a maturity that made

success was practically legendary. and it had always been

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

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

she really thought about it, she had no beef with him-Lysander

with Lysander standing right in front of her, Elara swallowed

you want?"

small smile. Just wanted to see how

respond, he added quickly. "Look, I know you don't wanna see me.