After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter 8

Elara turned around, and Lysander was still standing there. "Sorry about that. Ready to keep going"

Lysander frowned, concern flashing across his face. You sure you re alright? You don't seem like yourself"

Tm fine, really," she said quickly, even though her mind was drifting back to the stupid crap she'd done in the past.

It wasn't Asher that was bothering her. Honestly, seeing him now gave her a weird sense of relief. At least she wasn't stuck worrying about the future anymore.

Without Asher in the picture, she felt sure she wouldn't repeat the same screw-up-no HIV, no tragic ending this time

"I think I should head out" Lysander said again, hesitating for a moment before starting to turn away.

But Elara, panicked, stepped forward and grabbed his hand

He paused, glancing back at her with a confused look. "What's up?"

Elara didn't fully understand her own reaction either, but she wasn't blind to the fact that Lysander always seemed to pull away whenever Asher was around. It was like he couldn't handle being near the guy,

Thinking back she'd never really hidden her feelings for Asher. She'd been all over him, and it was obvious to everyone- including Lysander. They probably all thought she was obsessed with Asher.

And yeah, at one point, she was. If not for the disaster that happened before she crossed over, she might've never realized how wrong the wa

But now Lysander was here, staring at her. She let go of his hand, her voice soft but steady. Are you free on Saturday? Im thinking dinner at the Regal Crest. Want to join me!"

The Regal Crest Hotel was known for its food, and after starving to death in her past. she had a newfound appreciation for a good meal.

Before, she would've taken Asher without a second thought. But now, she found herself wanting Lysander's company

After all he was the one her father had picked for her to marry. If she played things right this time, she might actually end up marrying him after graduation.

a damn about what she wanted. But looking at Lysander now-with his good looks, his height, and a family background to match Asher she was definitely a

caught the question immediately and shot back. "What, you want me to end up with him? Or do you just want me to avoid you again. like I did

Lysander said.

It's a date then. See

late Saturday afternoon-fashionably, of

bunch of familiar faces gathered at the entrance, all decked out like

minion, spotted her immediately and couldn't resist taking a jab. "Elara? You actually

show up

not really getting why Lizzie was

owner of the Regal Crest Hotel was practically family,

she wanted

Chapter 8

Asher hasn't even looked your way at school for days, and

when it hit

hadn't said anything, she might have totally forgotten about the fact that she had organized everything with

on Asher's eighteenth birthday, when she had thrown him this extravagant bash right here at the Regal Crest. It had been the

the night she found out about

even flinched. "Daphne and I like each other. Elara. Why the hell shouldn't we be together?

a couple of days before she caved and made up with

Daphne didn't bother hiding anything. They flaunted their

to

standing there and looking at the scene in front of her, Elara felt nothing. No anger, no jealousy, just a

all, every single detail of this event tonight had been arranged by her. The entire party was being paid

Asher planned to handle things, enjoying his

the snarky comments from her classmates, Elara walked straight into the elevator like she couldn't care less. She already had

slid open, she immediately spotted Asher, laughing with Daphne. The moment he saw

weren't coming? Don't think

his anger to push her around, but this time. Elara just looked at him calmly, with a small, knowing smile. "Was there something