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.

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

what do you feel like eating?" Lysander asked,

smiled. "I'm easy, whatever

ordered a few dishes, making sure to throw in some

together more often lately, and things between them were starting to

back lately?" Lysander asked, his voice tinged

shook her head lightly. "He's been swamped with

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

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

Chapter 24

blankly at the table, clearly lost in

gut tell him she was hiding something serious, but since she wasn't

and immediately spotted Jefferson, waiting for him, arms crossed, his expression dark. The tension in

thoughts about Elara, 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 are you

thin, "Why should I? She dumped me. What, you want me to crawl

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

flash, he stormed over and slapped Asher hard across the face. "You useless piece of shit! Without her, where are we gonna get

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.

slammed shut, Asher rushed to the spot under his bed where he'd stashed some money.

in this cramped, shitty house with Jefferson, Asher barely had any privacy. There were only

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

Asher stepped out of the house. Jefferson was

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

Elara and Lysander walked

The Hawthorne family's driver hurried to open an umbrella and escorted Elara to the car with a respectful