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.

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

like eating?" Lysander asked, snapping

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

in some spicy ones, knowing she liked her food

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

lately?" Lysander asked, his voice tinged

shook her head lightly. "He's been swamped

brought a flicker of unease to 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

When the time came, she'd make sure he

Chapter 24

food, staring blankly at the table, clearly lost in thought. She did this often- Joming out at random

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

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

preoccupied with his own thoughts about Elara, replied in an almost bored tone, "Nothing's changed. He sounded as indifferent as he

want me to

with Lysander and sometimes had this 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

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

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

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

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 even with all his

of the house. Jefferson was already long gone,

up inside him. He clenched his

Elara and Lysander walked out of

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