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.

her way down the stairs slowly, her gaze landing not just on Asher, but also on his father,

a look that seemed genuinely apologetic, spoke to Barrett. "Mr. Kensington, I deeply apologize. It's my son, Asher-he's been acting out of line, and I've already dealt with him. I can assure

much tolerance for the Blackwoods, father or son. If it weren't for the fear of driving

quickly backpedaled, forcing an awkward smile. "Yes,

to her. "Morning, Miss Kensington. I brought

He was sitting there, face dark like a thunderstorm, not saying a word, but it was

258 PM ct c

Chapter 12

of blowing

looked like he'd rather jump off a cliff. Asher's reluctance

face.

was still pissed off about her birthday, that much was obvious. A genuine apology from

for any of this. Asher didn't do anything

fired him?" Jefferson's tone was starting to show

situation was different. He'd been an ordinary worker. scraping by on a modest salary, putting in

meant big bucks, and maybe, just maybe, a shot

and watch the opportunity slip away. Elara sighed and spoke slowly, like she was explaining something obvious. "After years of tutoring, my grades haven't exactly improved. And Asher made it clear

respected his decision and let him go. There's no drama between us, and trust me,

how calm and composed Elara seemed while talking about

thought back to how headstrong she'd been when she insisted on having Asher as

was the one

a mix of surprise and relief. 'Is

other plans for the day, Barrett signaled the staff

where the driver was

into the car and it started pulling away, she glanced back to see Asher still standing there, his father by his side. And then, out of nowhere, Jefferson-who had been so polite indoors-raised his hand and slapped Asher across the face. Elara knew

walked out. From then on, Asher had lived with him, scrapping together money for school from relatives

enough, he started supporting himself. And despite all that, the

had always had a soft spot for him. She had gone out of her way to try to make his life easier, doing whatever she could

her. He never had. She was just convenient, someone he could use. The girl he

her eyes, and

They were acting way friendlier, some even trying to strike up a

sly grin. "Hey, Elara, word is your family's rolling in it. Is it true you've been bankrolling Asher? We all thought he was, like,

is and wo together

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