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.

she

glanced over. "Not gonna

it is," Elara said,

called two more times before she finally

to mean?!" Asher's voice was boiling with

she wouldn't get involved with him again, but there were old scores to

she wouldn't

teasing, "What's got

warning. "Just get your ass over here and pay the bill. Don't make this a scene." -He'd planned to slip out right after the birthday party, cut

unable to pay,

surprise, Elara shot back, "Oh, 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

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Chapter to

close. Elara used to slip him tens of thousands every

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

to do this right now? What the hell do you want? Just

you're asking for a favor, maybe try

same Elara who used to bend over backward for him. And Asher, now, was left in a swirl of confusion and

her tone light but cutting. "Not gonna

the phone tightly, his voice low

to settle the tab. No one could leave,

word, Elara hung up. She turned to Lysander. "I'll

each other uncomfortable glances, clearly waiting for Asher to pay up. No one could move, and Asher had

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 long faces?' Her gaze slid deliberately toward

manager quickly stepped in, explaining. "Mr. Blackwood hasn't settled the

an eyebrow, her voice smooth. "Oh, I see! No big deal, guys. No need to get all

card without hesitation,

payment.