After Death, Love Unveiled

hapter 10

After Hadden walked out, Elara gave Lysander a puzzled look. "Why'd you help me?"

She had a ton of information to back her up, sure. But from Lysander's point of view, there was no way he could've known

that.

Lysander leaned back casually. "You asked for help. Why wouldn't I?"

"Aren't you worried I might be full of shit?"

Lysander just smirked. "And if you are? So what? Even if you're making it all up, no skin off my back. It's just a simple favor for him."

His laid-back attitude, the easy confidence in his voice, sent a warm glow through Elara. It made her feel trusted. Something she hadn't felt in a long, long time.

Her mind flashed back to when she was diagnosed with HIV. No one believed her. Everyone jumped to conclusions, assuring she'd been careless, reckless even.

If she had been, maybe she could've accepted the blame. But she hadn't.

People were cruel, keeping their distance, treating her like she was tainted. Eventually, she'd started to hate herself too.

But deep down, she knew the ones who had framed her-they knew her innocence better than anyone.

of

After dinner, Elara and Lysander didn't rush to leave. They ordered dessert, taking their time, enjoying the rare moment o peace

Elara focused on her assignments, biting into her dessert, while Lysander patiently walked her through the problems she couldn't solve on her own. They stayed like that until night fell.

Later, when Asher's birthday party wrapped up and everyone was about to leave, there was a hold-up-Asher hadn't paid the bill.

but she let

beside her, glanced

who it

times before

this supposed to mean?!" Asher's voice was boiling with anger on the other

more satisfied Elara felt. She'd sworn to herself she wouldn't get involved with him again,

she knew she wouldn't be

"What's got you so riled

right after the birthday party, cut Elara off

broke, unable to pay, leaving everyone in this painfully awkward

isn't this something? It's your birthday, and I haven't spent a single cent. Why should I be the one footing the bill? Maybe you should ask your loyal fans-you know, the ones always tagging along to your fancy

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when they were close. Elara used to slip him tens of thousands every month, calling it

it like it was his due, always acting like the big spender, always with a crowd around. None of them had a clue it was Elara's money

have to do this right now? What the hell do you want? Just name your price, and I'll do

you're asking for a favor, maybe try sounding like it. What do you

phone. But she wasn't the same Elara who used to bend over backward for

her tone light but cutting. "Not gonna beg? Fine.

his voice low and strained

hotel staff stood around, eyes darting, waiting for someone to settle the tab. No one could leave, and Asher could feel the weight

word, Elara hung up. She turned to

glances, clearly waiting for Asher to pay up. No one could move, and Asher

now their arrogance had crumbled. Nothing wipes out someone's pride faster than being trapped with no way to pay the bill. Elara bearned, her smile as bright as ever. "What's going on, everyone? Isn't this Asher's big birthday party? Why the

quickly stepped in, explaining. "Mr. Blackwood hasn't settled the bill yet, so

No need to get all tense over something small like that. We're

without hesitation, and the manager quickly left to handle

payment.