After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter 17

Seeing Asher just sit there, silent and not even bothering to defend himself. Elara curled her lips into a smirk. Wha seriously thought that after pouting for a few days, I'd come crawling back to make peace with you?" She knew exactly what was going through his head, though.

You

She had been raised in luxury, pampered all her life. Getting kicked to the curb with nothing but the clothes on her back had left scars.

If one always lived humbly, they could manage, but falling from a life of wealth into poverty? That was a pain they didn't forget.

Back then, she'd spend every day lying in bed, lost in her fantasies, dreaming that Asher would finally come to his senses- realize she was innocent, apologize, and beg her to come back.

But all that waiting amounted to nothing. She waited and waited, right up until the end, never once seeing him believe her. Instead, what she got was news of his marriage to someone else and the harsh truth: he had set her up from the start.

And now. Asher probably wasn't living any better than her. She had propped him up for so long, after all.

"No need. Asher snapped, his voice cold and sharp.

Elara let out a soft, sarcastic laugh. "Oh. please. If you think I'd ever come back to stroke your ego, you're fucking delusional. You want me back? You better start begging. And maybe-if I'm feeling really generous-I might toss you a couple of bucks." Her words were playful but deep down, she felt nothing.

She wasn't dumb enough to think he'd actually beg. But she wanted to see it-Asher, on his knees, pleading for her forgiveness.

His arrogance pissed her off. After everything he'd put her through, there was no way she was going to let him get off easy this time. Giving him a bit of false hope? Yeah, that felt just right.

"Never," Asher shot back, cold as ice, refusing to even look at her.

Elara didn't mind. She wasn't in any hurry. After class, she headed straight to the teacher's office.

new test

dean and a couple of other teachers from her grade. They'd set up a right there on the

I've got to ask-why were your grades so awful before?" Thinking back to how stupidly she'd thrown

had faced the harsh realities of the outside world could truly understand how

where busting their ass actually paid off. But once one stepped out into that cold, unforgiving mess of a world, they learned

just as Maia and the dean finished announcing the results of their investigation. When they confirmed she hadn't cheated, Lizzie looked like she'd been slapped in the face. "Wait, what? How the hell did she not cheat?" Maia's

turned her gaze to Lizzie, her voice calm but laced with mockery. "Didn't you say you'd drop out if I didn't

Chapter 17

stammered, "1...

Already chickening out? Some people really can't keep their word. Here's some advice-don't go making bets you can't follow through on next time,"

just concerned, okay? She

eyeing the room full of suddenly righteous faces. Funny how they all

her icy glare to Daphine. "You're that worried about her?

face went pale, her lips pressing into a thin line as tears started to well up in her eyes, playing the victim perfectly. And, just as expected, the rest of the class rushed to her defense. "Elara, seriously? This is between you

Daphne's always been nice to you. Why drag

to me? Seriously? If I were the one getting

course I

eyes, done with Daphne's fake concern. She turned her attention to Lizzie. "You don't wanna drop out? Fine. But you're still a liar who can't keep her word. So, how about this-run twelve miles instead."

if you can't handle that, then drop out, Elara added,

much to her, but there needed to be consequences. People had

teeth, Lizzie spat, "Fine! I'll

apologies the whole time. Tell everyone you lied about me cheating.

that a little... much?" she stammered, her voice shaky. The idea of being humiliated like that in front

to what you did?" Elara's voice was