After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter 5

A cheeky thought crossed her mind, and Elara couldn't resist teasing Lysander. "Why won't you look at me? Do I really look!

that bad?

Her grades were never anything impressive, but she'd always been considered quite the looker.

Growing up in a sheltered environment, she was practically untouched by sunlight, giving her that perfect, porcelain-doll complexion. If it wasn't for Asher and his bullshit, she wouldn't even be in that mess before.

Lysander finally looked her way, his voice calm. "That's not it. He seemed composed, but if one looked close enough, one could see the tips of his cars turning red.

Elara's lips curled into a smirk. I heard you're always top of the class. That true?"

Lysander shifted in his seat, feeling a little weird with how friendly she was being out of nowhere. "Uh... yeah, I guess you could say that."

"Know any good tutors you can recommend?" she asked.

She'd already decided not to rely on Asher anymore. She wasn't about to keep making the same mistakes-leaning on her dad and slacking off' in school.

Now that she had the time, she was set on pulling her grades up. And if Lysander knew someone, they had to be good.

"A tutor? I thought Asher was... Lysander trailed off. He'd heard she had a classmate tutor her, which was why Asher had spent so much time at her house.

"I let him go, she said flatly. Asher hadn't just looked down on her, he had zero patience when it came to tutoring. It was a waste of money.

Lysander raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. He studied her face, realizing she wasn't joking. To hide his unease, he took a sip of his drink before responding. "I never used a tutor. I've always studied on my own. But... if you're cool with it, I could stop by every day and help you out."

He wasn't expecting her to take him seriously. She barely even acknowledged him before tonight, and this dinner invite was already unexpected enough.

Elara's face lit up with genuine surprise. "Really?"

Lysander nodded quickly, caught off guard by how happy she looked. "Yeah, if it works for you, I'm available whenever."

warm smile. Td really appreciate that, but are you sure it won't mess with

don't worry about it. It won't

high school curriculum and had a guaranteed spot at university. But to spare her feelings,

her eyes lighting up. "Just... don't think I'm dumb, okay? My grades suck. She sighed, thinking back to those awful

was a total asshole when it came to teaching her. If she didn't get something right away, he'd lose his temper. Her grades went from bad to worse, and with them, her confidence

"I don't think that at all.

quiet, prompting Elara to pick up her fork and serve him

dropping off Daphne. He was already in a foul mood-he'd just found out his father had been fired and had gutten

he saw Elara sitting there, eating, with the dishes already

Chapter 5

a cold glance and continued eating, completely

sitting there, his irritation

other guys to keep him happy Whenever Lysander came around, she'd send him away. But

glare. "He's my guest. You got a problem

dropped into a chair, scowling. "What? You

beating him in competitions. So Asher thought there was no

steady. "You're overthinking it. Asher. You just don't mean that much to

she thought the world revolved around Asher, but now all she felt was disgust. Liking someone like him would only drag

scoffed. "If you think hanging around other guys is gonna make me jealous, Elara, you're fucking clueless, Seeing you. with someone else? Shit, that's a relief-I won't have to deal with your bullshit anymore. With that, he stormed

him.

momentarily speechless, caught off

slightly. Feeling awkward, she quickly added, "Don't listen to

vague "sure

him to the door. "Take care on

he replied with a short nod

Asher had come back downstairs, now wearing a short-sleeved shirt instead of his school

couldn't deny that his face was still annoyingly handsome, with that effortless charm that had drawn her in once upon

Asher wasn't playing around. His tone was serious as he asked, "Why did you fire

wanting anyone else to know he was just the driver's son, especially not Lysander. Elara's response was icy.

shot back, clearly agitated. "I'm the one who told him to do it. It wasn't his fault. If you're pissed off, take it