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?"

"I just didn't want to get tangled up in... feelings. Even as

You didn't want me. You and Daphne-you're the perfect fit, right? So, if I'm with Lysander or anyone else, why would it bother

the words stumbling out.

to finish. The resolve in her voice was sharp, slicing through whatever apology he

the top of the stairs, with Lizzie not far behind. Her eyes flicked between Elara and Asher, taking in the sight of his hand still gripping Elara's like he didn't know what to do with it. Daphne's presence seemed to snap something inside Asher, and

'Right. Can't forget Daphne's your girl now. huh?

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

well that, deep down,

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

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Chapter 23

want Daphne getting the wrong idea, would

wiping away her tears the second she turned

waste any real tears over a guy

her just like this, and this time around, she planned to give 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, then muttered.

mind was a total mess, and he had no idea how to explain any of this to Daphine. Elara's attitude caught him off guard-it hit him that she might still have feelings for him. "Did I

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 softening

him as the basketball star, now seeing a different side

in scribbles and wear, but somehow Lysander made the same uniform look like

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

focusing entirely on Elara as he asked in a low, warm voice, "How about we grab something to eat

even a second

greeted her with a wide grin.