After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter 24

If it weren't for his rivalry with Asher, Lysander wouldn't have even bothered with this competition

When Elara overheard Lysander-usually so straight-laced-make a rare comment about Asher, she couldn't help but chuckle

"Wow, never pegged him for the gossiping type, Elara thought, though she knew Lysander was just being honest.

"You're seriously something else!" she exclaimed. "I mean, look at you-handsome, smart, great at sports. Every pri at my table today couldn't stop drooling over you."

"I don't even know who they are, Lysander said flatly

Elara laughed. "I know you don't. That's not the point-I'm just saying, you've got people mesmerized"

Lysander didn't respond, staying silent as usual.

After a pause, Elara asked, "Aren't you worried people might start talking? I mean, us hanging out together, so publicly, at school? You know how people are."

"What would they say?" Lysander shot her a confused look.

Elara smirked. "There's this rumor going around that I'm, you know, some rich guy's sugar baby. They're always whispering about it behind my back. My reputation's already trashed."

Lysander's expression didn't change. "I couldn't care less about that," he said firmly, "Besides, do you even look like the type who needs some old dude's money!"

Elara laughed again, shaking her head. He'd clearly heard the rumors all along but never said a word-until now.

"He doesn't show up just to play knight in shining armor, does he?' she wondered.

The driver pulled up and dropped them off at a restaurant for dinner.

soon as they sat down, Elara's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen-it was a message from Asher, saying: [I'm sorry:] That made her pause. An apology from Asher? Now that was out of the blue. Seemed like he wasn't too

Lysander asked, snapping her out of her

"I'm easy, whatever you're having works

dishes, making sure to throw in some spicy ones, knowing she liked her food with

things between them were starting to feel comfortable. Like they'd fallen into a

lately?" Lysander

shook her head lightly. "He's been swamped

car accident just before her SATE Now, she was working hard every day, hoping to boost her grades, but no matter how much

When the time came, she'd make sure he stayed home that day-anything to stop

Chapter 24

slowly chewed her food, staring blankly at the table, clearly lost in thought. She

serious, but since she wasn't talking, he wouldn't push her. Not

crossed, his expression dark. The tension in the room was thick as soon

replied in an almost bored tone, "Nothing's changed. He sounded as indifferent as he felt about Jefferson's question. "Nothing? Didn't I tell you to win her back? What the hell

dumped me. What, you want

of him regretted seeing Elara with Lysander and sometimes had this flicker of wanting her back. But at the same. time, breaking up with

get another word in, Jefferson's face twisted with rage, and in a flash, he stormed over and slapped Asher hard across the face. "You useless piece of

were with Elara, we had money rolling in. My gambling didn't matter then! But no, you had to screw things up with that broke-ass

Asher rushed to the spot under his bed

in this cramped, shitty house with Jefferson, Asher barely had any privacy. There were only a few places he could hide things, and his father always managed

of it for his college expenses, knowing he couldn't depend on Jefferson for anything. But even with all his precautions. Jefferson

house. Jefferson was already long gone, nowhere in

his father had disappeared, rage bubbled up inside him. He clenched

Elara and Lysander walked out

Hawthorne family's driver hurried to open an umbrella and escorted Elara to the