After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter

12

"Oh, girl! Every time I call, you act like I'm annoying you." Barrett teased with a smirk, then glanced outside. "Wait, hold up-is that the Hawthorne family's car?" Elara spun around, noticing the familiar car parked at

Her eyes were still a bit red from earlier, and she felt a flush of embarrassment as she realized Lysander probably saw.

She quickly turned back to Barrett, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, that's Lysander. He gave me a ride home after dinner."

Barrett arched a brow, clearly surprised. Just a while ago, she was practically fuming at the mere mention of Lysander's name.

When he first brought up the engagement, she had flat-out refused, saying she'd never have anything to do with him. And now! Dinner dates? This was something new. their gate. Lysander was stepping out, smooth and collected as ever.

Even though he was curious, Barrett kept it civil. "Lysander, why don't you come in for a minute?"

"Good evening, Mr. Kensington, Lysander replied, all polite and proper, though his tone had a slight detachment. "I'll have to take a rain check. Got somewhere I need to be."

He threw Elara a long, meaningful look-one that said way more than words-before he turned and slid back into the car.

Elara watched as the car drove off, then awkwardly followed her father into the house.

Barrett, always sharp-eyed, noticed the puffiness around her eyes. "Did he say something to piss you off?"

Elara quickly shook her head. "No, he was actually really nice."

She flopped down onto the couch, feeling Barrett's eyes still on her. It was weird seeing him so full of life and energy.

Hard to believe this was the same man who, in her memories, would eventually grow so much older, so much more distant, when he finally left this world. Barrett

kept digging for a bit, making sure she hadn't been mistreated. Once he was satisfied, he let it go.

00000

Monday morning, the sunlight barely creeping into the room, Elara woke up to Ursa's voice calling through the door. "Elara, Asher's here to see you."

Elara groaned, remembering the blowout from two nights ago. Things between her and Asher were done. Over. She knew it, and he well should too. There was no way she was going to keep putting up with his bullshit.

Still, she hadn't expected him to show up this early.

made her way down the stairs slowly, her gaze landing not just on Asher, but

been acting out of line, and I've already dealt with him. I can assure you, he won't

father or son. If it weren't for the fear of driving Elara away, he wouldn't

mistake, Jefferson quickly backpedaled, forcing an awkward

stairs, Jefferson's eyes were glued to her.

face dark like a thunderstorm, not saying

258 PM ct c

Chapter 12

edge of

laugh. He looked like he'd rather jump off a cliff. Asher's reluctance was written

face.

her birthday, that much was obvious. A genuine apology

her voice steady, she said, "Mr. Blackwood, there's really no need for any of this. Asher didn't do anything to offend

tone was

situation was different. He'd been an ordinary worker. scraping by on

Tutoring Elara meant big bucks, and maybe,

slowly, like she was explaining something obvious. "After years of tutoring, my grades

him go. There's no drama between us, and trust me, no apology

noting how calm and composed Elara seemed while talking about the whole

having Asher

one

and relief. 'Is my girl finally growing

the day, Barrett signaled the staff

Elara left the house, where the driver was already waiting for her

still standing there, his father by his side. And then, out of nowhere, Jefferson-who had been so

then

soon as he was old enough, he started supporting himself. And despite

soft spot for him. She had gone out of her way to try to make his life

the truth was that he didn't give a damn about her. He never had. She was just convenient, someone he could use. The girl he actually

her eyes, and made her way to

yesterday's chaos, she could feel the shift in her classmates vibe. They were

your family's rolling in it. Is it true you've been bankrolling Asher? We all thought he was, like,

is and

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The