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.

a message from 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

eating?" Lysander asked, snapping her out

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

making sure to throw in some spicy ones, knowing

having dinners together more often lately, and things between them were starting to

been back lately?" Lysander asked, his voice tinged

lightly. "He's

to boost her grades, but no matter how much effort she put in, there was never enough time to be

came, she'd make sure he

Chapter 24

blankly at the table,

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

tension in the room was thick as soon as Asher stepped

sounded as indifferent as he felt about Jefferson's question. "Nothing?

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

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

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,

no, you had to

Asher rushed to the spot under his

There were only a few places he

Asher had been careful to save a portion of it for his college expenses,

of the house. Jefferson was already long gone, nowhere in

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

Lysander walked out of the

coming down in torrents. The Hawthorne family's driver hurried to open an umbrella and escorted