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.

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

like eating?" Lysander asked,

whatever you're having works for

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

and things between them were starting to feel comfortable. Like they'd fallen into

been back lately?" Lysander asked, his voice tinged with

head lightly.

every day, hoping to boost her grades,

make sure he stayed home that day-anything

Chapter 24

at the table, clearly lost in

serious, but since

and immediately spotted Jefferson, waiting for him, arms crossed, his expression dark. The tension in the room was thick as soon as Asher stepped in. "How are things going with Elaral"

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

dumped me. What, you want me to crawl back, begging

But at the

he could get 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

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 let the big

spot under his

There were only a few places he could hide

it for his college expenses, knowing he

of the house. Jefferson was

had disappeared, rage bubbled up inside him. He clenched his fists, then,

and Lysander walked out of the restaurant

torrents. The Hawthorne family's driver hurried to open an umbrella and