After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter

11

Asher shot her a dark, pissed-off glare, his eyes burning with frustration and resentment. All his life, no matter how down-and-out he'd been, he'd never been humiliated like this.. Right now, it felt like every person in the room was staring at him, soaking in his embarrassment.

And the worst part was that he couldn't say a damn thing. The words just wouldn't come. Elara might just toss the money right back and leave him standing there, looking like a total fool. He decided to ignore her. Screw her. He spun around, fists clenched, and stormed off.

Daphne saw it all-awkward didn't even begin to cover how she felt. Regret was gnawing at her, but there was nothing she could do except trail after him.

This day was a train wreck. She'd spent all that time bragging to her classmates about her relationship with Asher, making it sound like they were some power couple.

She thought being with Asher, who she believed was the rich heir to some big-shot family, would bring her admiration, maybe even a little envy.

But, nope-reality hit her like a truck. The guy was just the son of a driver. "What the hell was all that bullshit about him being rich? she cursed to herself.

As the two of them stormed out, Elara glanced around the room and sighed, her voice calm but with an edge. "Alright, if there's nothing else, let's call it a night. It's getting late.

Slowly, the crowd started shuffling out of the Gallery Room. Elara waited until the room was almost empty before she moved to leave. The manager escorted her to the elevator, and they ended up running into Lysander Elara paused, her eyes locking onto him. "You're still here?"

Lysander gave her a lazy smile and stepped closer. Just wrapped things up. You done too?"

Elara nodded, her face unreadable. "Yeah, done for the night"

They stepped into the elevator together. Elara seemed lost in her own head, unusually quiet.

She'd managed to clear her name in front of everyone, but honestly, it didn't feel as good as she'd hoped.

The years

of shit she'd gone through-this little bit of payback against Asher didn't even come close to making up for it.

Lysander picked up on her mood and didn't push it. He just stood by her, his presence steady and silent.

spotted Elara, he made a beeline straight for her, not even sparing Lysander a glance. "Elara," he called, his face

greeted, even though her mind was

her hand, his voice full of gratitude. "Elara, I can't thank you enough! You saved our hotel from a complete disaster. I just went over everything myself-there were so many issues, and it was all because of my idiot cousin. Ive already sent his ass packing!" Elara let out a sigh, feeling a weight lift. "I was just doing what

how did you even know about the fire safety issues in

for a split second, then shrugged and went for it. "1. uh... I dreamed about it

laughed, shaking his head. "A dream, huh? Well, whatever it was, I'm glad you did! Oh, and by the way.

clearly fancy. "Just a small token of appreciation. And listen, if you ever need anything, anything at all, you know

about to forget what

to the door just

the bar kurat, her eyes wandering

streets were almost

beside Lysander, Elara was unusually quiet, a far cry

about the Ere hazards at the Regal Crest Hotel? he wondered. She seems

off Asher's birthday party, choosing instead to spend

Then why

it for long. She knew she had a second shot at life, and as long as she avoided the mistakes from before, she could fix most

the midnight oil

it, she leaned into Lysander, her head

worried that any move he made would

Hawthorne, the driver said quietly from

should wake her. The driver waited ourside patiently, but Lysander couldn't bring himself to disturb her peaceful sleep- Elara slowly stirred awake. She blinked, then looked out the window, realizing they were already home. She glanced at Lysander, noticing that he hadn't

she straightened up. "We're

"Yeah," Lysander said softly.

didn't you wake me?" she asked, a little

needed it. Didn't wanna disturb you," he said, his voice calm,

moment, catching a slight flush at the tips of his ears. For all his usual coldness, it hit her

innocence ran.

she said softly, and he finally turned to meet her eyes. "Are

paused for a second, then shook his head

eyes? You act like I'm some kind of plague