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."

gave him a warm smile. Td really appreciate that, but are you sure it won't mess with your own

off. "Nah, don't worry about it. It won't be

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

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

her. If she didn't get something right away, he'd lose his temper. Her grades went from bad to worse, and with them,

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

prompting Elara to pick up her fork and serve him some

a foul mood-he'd just found

with the dishes already touched, his

Chapter 5

cold glance

to ask about Jefferson, but seeing I ysander sitting there,

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

cutlery and met his glare. "He's my guest. You got a problem with

chair, scowling. "What? You invite him just to get

him in competitions. So Asher thought there was no way she suddenly enjoyed his company. Lysander remained silent,

gaze, her voice steady. "You're overthinking it. Asher. You just don't mean

time when she thought the world revolved around Asher, but now all she felt was disgust. Liking

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

him.

there, momentarily speechless, caught off guard by

he left, she noticed Lysander's expression shift slightly. Feeling awkward, she quickly added, "Don't listen to his crap. 'He's really pissed about

just gave a vague "sure and stayed

she walked him to the door. "Take care on your

a short nod and left without another

come back downstairs, now

that his face was still annoyingly handsome, with that effortless charm that had

was serious as he asked,

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

shot back, clearly agitated. "I'm the one who told him to do it.