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.

[I'm sorry:] That made her pause. An apology from Asher? Now that was out of the blue. Seemed

you feel like eating?" Lysander

whatever you're

making sure to throw in some spicy ones,

together more often lately, and things between them were starting to feel comfortable. Like

been back lately?" Lysander asked, his voice tinged with

lightly. "He's been

day, hoping to boost her grades, but no matter how much effort

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

Chapter 24

Elara slowly chewed her food, staring blankly at the table, clearly lost in thought. She did this often-

since she wasn't

walked into his house and immediately spotted Jefferson, waiting for him, arms crossed, his expression dark. The tension in the room

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

dumped me. What, you want me to crawl back, begging for

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

face twisted with rage, and in a flash, he stormed over and slapped Asher hard across the face. "You useless piece of shit! Without her, where are we gonna get the money? Hand over everything you've got!" Asher stared in disbelief, his check stinging.

of your fucking business! Don't talk to me like your mother did! You want me to beat you again? When you 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 girl. Now look at what you've done! You let the big fish get away! Get her back, or I swear to God, I'll make your life hell!"

the door slammed shut, Asher rushed to the spot under his bed where he'd stashed some money. Sure enough, every last dollar

Jefferson, Asher barely had any privacy. There were only a few places he could hide things, and his father always

had been careful to save a portion of it for his college expenses, knowing he couldn't depend on Jefferson for anything. But even with all his

house. Jefferson was

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

Lysander walked out of the restaurant

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