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.

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 thrilled about her hanging around Lysander. "Typical guy-acts like he doesn't care until someone else steps

you feel like eating?" Lysander asked, snapping her out of her

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

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

often lately, and things between them were starting to

Mr. Kensington been back lately?" Lysander asked, his voice tinged

shook her head lightly. "He's been

died in a car accident just before her SATE Now, she was working hard every day, hoping to boost her grades, but no

Elara had a plan. When the time came, she'd make sure he stayed

Chapter 24

the table, clearly lost in thought. She

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

The tension in the room was thick as soon as Asher stepped

indifferent as he felt about Jefferson's question. "Nothing? Didn't I tell you

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

at the same. time, breaking up with her felt like a weight

Jefferson's 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 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

to the spot under his bed where

were only a few places he could hide things, and his

for his college expenses, knowing he couldn't depend on Jefferson

stepped out of the house. Jefferson was already

disappeared, rage bubbled up inside him.

and Lysander walked out of

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