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.

from Asher? Now that was out of the blue. Seemed like

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

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

sure to throw in some spicy ones, knowing she

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

been back lately?" Lysander asked,

her head lightly. "He's

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

a plan. When the time came, she'd make sure he stayed home that day-anything to stop that accident

Chapter 24

at the table, clearly lost in

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

arms crossed, his expression dark. The tension in the

as indifferent as he

his patience wearing thin, "Why should I? She dumped me. What, you want me

of him regretted seeing Elara 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

he stormed over and slapped Asher hard across the face. "You useless piece

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,

his bed where he'd

were only a few places he

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

stepped out of the house. Jefferson was already long

him. He clenched his fists, then,

Elara and Lysander walked

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