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

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

"I'm easy, whatever you're

few dishes, making sure to throw in some spicy ones, knowing she

more often lately, and things between them were starting to feel

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

her head lightly.

every day, hoping to boost her grades, but no matter how much effort she put in, there was

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

Chapter 24

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

gut tell him she was hiding something serious, but since she wasn't talking, he wouldn't push her. Not his

dark. The tension in the room

he felt about Jefferson's question. "Nothing? Didn't I tell you to win her back? What the

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

part 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

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 you've got!" Asher stared

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 let the big fish get away! Get her back, or

the spot under his bed where he'd stashed

with Jefferson, Asher barely had any privacy. There were only a few places he could hide things,

careful to save a portion of it for his college expenses, knowing he couldn't

Jefferson was already long gone,

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

Lysander walked out of

family's driver hurried to open an umbrella