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.

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

eating?" Lysander

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

a few dishes, making sure to throw in some spicy ones, knowing she liked

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

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

lightly. "He's been swamped

her eyes. Before she had traveled back in time, he had died in a car accident just before her SATE Now, she was working hard every day, hoping to boost her grades, but no matter how much effort she put in, there was never enough time to be with him. He was always

make sure he stayed home that day-anything to

Chapter 24

as Elara slowly chewed her food, staring blankly at the table,

serious, but since

arms crossed, his expression dark. The tension in the room was thick as soon as Asher stepped in. "How are things going with Elaral" Jefferson demanded,

in an almost bored tone, "Nothing's changed. He sounded as indifferent as he felt about Jefferson's

want me to crawl back, begging for another shot? I've got

flicker of wanting her back. But at the same. time, breaking up with her felt like a weight off his chest-especially when he looked at Jefferson

face. "You useless piece of shit! Without her, where are we gonna get

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

the spot under his bed where he'd stashed some money. Sure

barely had any privacy. There were only a few places he

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

of the house. Jefferson was already long gone, nowhere

had disappeared, rage bubbled up inside him. He clenched his fists, then, without thinking, kicked

walked

family's driver hurried to open an umbrella and