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."

Td really appreciate that, but are you sure it won't mess

concern off. "Nah, don't worry

is, he'd already finished the high school curriculum and had a guaranteed spot at university. But to spare her feelings, he decided to

"Just... don't think I'm dumb, okay? My grades suck. She sighed, thinking

had good grades, but he 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

softened, reassuring. "I don't think that at all. I'll come by after school

to pick up her fork and serve him some food. "Come

was already in a foul mood-he'd just found out his father had been fired and had gutten an earful from him on the

there, eating, with the dishes

Chapter 5

cold glance and continued

had come intending to ask about Jefferson, but seeing I ysander sitting there, his irritation only grew. "What the fuck is he doing here?" he

her distance from other guys to keep him happy Whenever Lysander came around, she'd send him

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

scowling. "What? You invite him

knew he didn't like Lysander-never had, because Lysander was always beating him in competitions. So Asher thought there was no way she suddenly enjoyed his company. Lysander

overthinking it. Asher.

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

me jealous, Elara, you're fucking clueless, Seeing you. with someone else? Shit, that's a relief-I won't have to

him.

speechless, caught off

she noticed Lysander's expression shift slightly. Feeling awkward, she quickly added, "Don't listen to his

vague "sure

walked him to the door. "Take care on your way home,"

with a short nod

had come back downstairs,

though she was furious with him, she couldn't deny that his face was still annoyingly handsome, with that effortless charm that

tone was serious as he asked, "Why did you fire

else to know he was just the driver's son, especially not Lysander. Elara's response was icy. "Do I really need to explain why I

one who told him to do it. It wasn't