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.

called Elara, but she let

sitting beside her, glanced over. "Not

who it is," Elara

called two more times before she

supposed to mean?!" Asher's voice was

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

she wouldn't be able to

smirk, teasing, "What's got you

a 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 Elara off once and for all. But of course, she had to show up, probably just to watch him crash and

unable to pay, leaving everyone

Why should I be the one footing the bill? Maybe you should ask your loyal fans-you know, the

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Chapter to

used to slip him tens of thousands every month, calling it a

take it like it was his due, always acting like the big spender, always with a crowd around. None of them had a

pissed, Asher growled, "Elara, do you have to do this right now? What the hell do you want? Just name your price, and I'll do it. Just cover the

favor, maybe try sounding

hear the frustration in his ragged breathing through the phone. But she wasn't the same Elara who used to bend over backward for him. And Asher, now, was left in

but cutting. "Not gonna

gripped the phone tightly, his voice low and strained

stood around, eyes darting, waiting for someone to settle the tab. No one could leave, and Asher could feel the weight of all those stares, suffocating

turned to Lysander. "I'll be back

uncomfortable glances, clearly waiting for Asher to pay up. No one could move, and Asher had to suffer under their silent judgment. When Elara walked in, the manager immediately greeted her with respect.

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

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

I see! No big deal, guys. No need to get all tense over something small like that. We're all friends here, right? I'll cover it

handed over her card without hesitation, and the

payment.