After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter

18

As soon as Asher saw Daphne getting cornered, he stormed over, his voice cutting through the tension. "Elara, what the hell is your deal? Daphne was just trying to warn you because, believe it or not, she cares! She doesn't want to see you get yourself into something

you can't handle

Elara lifted her head, meeting his glare with a smirk. "Oh, so now you're the hero, huh? Too bad it was your girlfriend who came at me first. If you don't want to get caught in the middle, stay the fuck out of my way. And while we're at it, all those fancy presents you've been showering her with? Bought with my mone

"Without me, do you honestly think she'd even look at you twice? Don't tell me you're dumb enough to believe she's with your for your charming' personality, or your deadbeat dad's gambling debts?"

Daphne's face went white. The word "gambler" echoed in her head, the shock settling in.

'Asher's dad isn't just a driver-he is addicted to gambling? She felt a wave of unease. Is this what my future looks like with him? A never-ending string of problems?'

She shot a glance at Asher, noticing the dark expression on his face. Still, she pushed her doubts aside for the moment and turned to Elara, her voice sharp. "Do you really hate me that much? So much that you'd drag my friends into this just because of Asher? You think I stole him from you? Fine! If you want him that bad, you can have him back!"

"Daphne!" Asher jumped in, sounding desperate. "Don't say that. I don't even like her. His voice softened as he tried to reassure Daphne, but the whole scene only made Elara look like a bitter third wheel.

Elara couldn't help but laugh, the sound dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, please. Keep him. I don't take back garbage."

Asher was left speechless, struggling to find words.

But Elara wasn't done. She rolled her eyes and added, "And as for your bullshit about me bullying Lizzie Collins? Give me a break. Everyone knows she's been the one trying to mess with me. I've been more than fair. If she's tired of it, she can drop out anytime. No one's stopping her."

Elara had tried playing the "nice girl once-tried building a reputation as someone who didn't hurt people. And where had that gotten her? Nowhere but pushed around. She was done caring what people thought.

Asher sighed, shaking his head in frustration. Turning to Daphne, he said, "You know what? Let's just go. If she wants to act like this, it's not our problem. When something finally happens to Lizzie, she'll regret it. Come on."

He grabbed Daphne's hand, leading her away from Elara without another word.

six miles. Asher and Daphne had to call an ambulance to rush her to

satisfaction, couldn't help but ask, "You happy now?" "Oh, I'm fucking thrilled, Elara shot back, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Why wouldn't I be?" She pulled out her phone and made a call to the hospital

a big deal out of Lizzie fainting, but

watching her slowly blink awake. She

saw Daphne, her eyes filled with tears. "Daphne...

her, gently patting her on

her role as

casually eating a yogurt like none of this was a big deal. "Doctors checked you out. You're perfectly fine, just rusty. Tomorrow at school, make sure you knock out those last six miles. Lizzie's eyes widened in shock. I've already passed out, and this

3.00 PM C

Chapter 18

you trying to kill me?" Lizzie gasped, her

smile. "And if you do pass out

She raised an eyebrow, her tone soft but deadly serious. "What? Are you chickening out? Or are you

insane!" Lizzie snapped,

blinked. "I heard your parents work at Golden Fields

with shock. "You've been snooping on my

have?" Elara

clenched her fists, her jaw tight. "Fine. I'll run your damn six

bills. Just remember, until those miles are done, I don't care

leave, frowning as he tried to

was.

out of the hospital, Daphne and Asher drove her

home, she snapped

and wasn't about to give anyone a chance to point

morning, Lizzie dutifully ran the six

much lower profile around Flara, no longer daring to act all high and mighty. Even if she was pissed off, she'd just grumble under her

caught on pretty quick, too. They'd all seen what happened when one got on Elara's bad side. Plus, with Elara's loaded background, she could probably pay off their medical bills if they messed with her and ended up in the hospital Nobody dared call her a 'simp" or mock her for her academic struggles anymore. But that didn't stop the rumor