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."

him a warm smile. Td really appreciate that, but are you sure it won't mess with your own stuff? You've got your own

don't worry

finished the high school curriculum and had a guaranteed spot at

thank you so much!" Elara said, her eyes lighting up. "Just... don't think I'm dumb, okay? My grades suck. She sighed, thinking back to those

had good grades, but he was a total asshole when it came to teaching her. If she didn't get something right away,

don't think that at

and chatted, Lysander stayed mostly quiet, prompting Elara to pick up her fork and serve him some food. "Come an, don't be shy. Make yourself

mood-he'd just found out his father had been fired and had gutten an earful from him

eating, with the dishes already touched,

Chapter 5

gave him a cold glance and

intending to ask about Jefferson, but seeing I ysander sitting there, his irritation only grew. "What the

time travell, Elara would have kept her distance from other guys to keep him happy Whenever Lysander came around, she'd send him away. But now

down her cutlery and met his glare. "He's my

You invite him just to get

beating him in competitions. So Asher thought there

overthinking it. Asher. You just don't mean that

but now all she felt was disgust. Liking someone like him

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

him.

caught off guard by his

added, "Don't listen to his crap.

vague "sure and stayed

to the door. "Take care on your way

short nod and left

back downstairs, now wearing a

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

wasn't playing around. His tone was serious as

just the driver's son, especially not Lysander. Elara's response was

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 out on me-kick me