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.

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.

Lysander asked, snapping her out of

easy, whatever you're

making sure to throw in some spicy ones, knowing

having dinners together more often lately, and things between them were starting to feel comfortable. Like they'd fallen into a natural

lately?" Lysander asked,

her head lightly. "He's been swamped with

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,

a plan. When the time came, she'd make sure

Chapter 24

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

serious, but since she wasn't talking, he wouldn't push

house and immediately spotted Jefferson, waiting for him, arms crossed, his expression dark. The tension in the room was thick as soon

"Nothing's changed. He sounded as indifferent as he felt about Jefferson's question. "Nothing? Didn't I tell you to win her

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

this flicker of wanting her back. But at the same. time, breaking up with her felt like

another word in, 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've got!" Asher stared in disbelief, his check

no, you had to screw things up with that broke-ass girl. Now look at what you've done!

door slammed shut, Asher rushed to the spot under his

only a few places he could hide things,

out financially so many times, and Asher had been careful to save a portion of it for his

house. Jefferson was already

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

and Lysander walked out of the

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