After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter

23

This was the brutal truth Asher had laid bare to Elara, right there on her deathbed.

She never realized that the love she'd given so completely was the very thing that disgusted him. What she had cherished with every piece of her heart was nothing more than a burden he couldn't wait to shake off. Asher hesitated, a frown tugging at his brow as he took in her words. "I never said that!" he shot back, almost reflexively. But even as he spoke, he couldn't remember ever being so heartless-at least, not out loud. Elara wasn't fooled. He might not have said it straight to her face, but actions spoke louder than words.

A bitter smile twisted her lips. "You didn't have to say it, Asher. You made it pretty damn clear. Always looking at me like I was some kind of inconvenience. If that wasn't true, then why the hell were you always running off to Daphne? Giving her things that belonged to me, treating her like she was something special, while I was.... I was nothing but a piece of the furniture?"

Her voice trembled, and before she could choke it back, the tears spilled over, hot and relentless, streaking down her face.

Whatever affection she'd once felt for him had burned to ashes, leaving nothing but bitterness and spite. After everything she'd suffered, there was no space left for love-only hate.

She'd died and clawed her way back in time; there was no way she'd waste a second chance on him.

Before she'd been given this do-over, she'd spent her life practically begging for the smallest bit of his affection, stupidly hoping he'd give a damn, even just a little. And in the end, all she got was heartache and an ugly death

Every time the memory came back, it was like a blade twisting in her chest. The grief surged over her, crashing like waves that refused to recede.

If not for this second shot at life, she'd still be that pitiful, abandoned Elara, stuck in that rundown apartment, with nothing but her loneliness.

The thought alone made her eyes sting all over again.

Asher stared at her tear-streaked face, something unsettling twisting in his gut. He'd come here pissed, fuming over how cozy she'd seemed with Lysander.

But now, he saw something in her eyes that rattled him-an anguish that cut deeper than he expected.

He'd never loved her. He'd always preferred Daphne. That much he couldn't deny. But seeing the raw hurt in Elara's gaze, he couldn't help but wonder, 'Did I really hurt her that bad?"

rough breath. "I just didn't want to get tangled up in... feelings. Even as he spoke,

me. You and Daphne-you're the perfect fit, right? So, if I'm with Lysander or anyone else, why would it bother

words stumbling out. "Elara.

resolve in her voice was sharp, slicing through whatever apology he

Elara and Asher, taking in the sight of his hand still gripping Elara's like he didn't

'Right. Can't forget Daphne's

couldn't shake a sense of unease-especially now that

down,

her head and put on a hurt voice. "You've got

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Chapter 23

anymore. We wouldn't want Daphne getting the wrong idea,

around and headed downstairs, wiping away her tears the second she turned her

about to waste any real tears over a guy like him-those were just

him a taste of his own damn medicine. Just when he thought there was a chance, she'd let him think she still gave a damn. After Elara walked out, Daphne came down, concern written all over her face. "What happened? I thought I

silent for a moment,

hit him that she might still have feelings for him. "Did I push her away by being so cold? Is that why she ran off to Lysander? Shit, maybe I shouldn't have told her about Daphne and me... He felt

gates, she immediately spotted Lysander waiting for her. He was decked out in Oakridge High School's uniform, looking sharp. Next to him stood Crispin, the two of them waiting for her to show up. As soon as Crispin spotted her, he elbowed Lysander and called out, "Hey, she's here! Lysander turned at the sound, his gaze

the gates-students who knew him as the basketball star,

in scribbles and wear, but somehow

Lysander walked up and took her bag with the ease of a gentleman. Every move he made screamed. that he cared-not because she asked

them, focusing entirely on Elara as he asked in a low, warm voice, "How about

brightened as she nodded, "Sure!" Asher wasn't even a second thought anymore

greeted her with a wide