After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter 25

As always, Asher kept that icy mask firmly in place around Elara, never letting even the faintest hint of warmth slip through.

She knew all too well that his heart was as cold and unyielding as stone. Any brief glimpses of kindness were nothing but a charade.

Yet, despite knowing this, catching that rare moment of softness stirred something deep inside her-an unexpected and unwelcome flicker of satisfaction. "No." Elara muttered.

A faint smirk tugged at the corners of Asher's lips. "So, you're really not gonna make up with me, huh?"

Elara hesitated for a split second, then shot back with a smirk of her own, "What, you're broke again? You only pull this crap when you're running low on cash."

He met her gaze, completely unfazed, and replied slowly, "You're reading way too much into this. I just wanted to check in on you. But hey, whatever, I'm out."

He turned to leave, but after just a few steps, his legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground.

Elara quickly called out for Ursa. When Ursa rushed over and spotted Asher sprawled out, she couldn't help but blurt, "Isn't that Mr. Blackwood? What happened to him? Elara rolled her eyes. "How should I know? He just collapsed like a fool!"

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Ursa, umbrella in hand, crouched down and pressed a hand to Asher's forehead. "Shit, he's burning up-probably got a fever. What should we do? Leave him here, or do we help him!"

Elara took a breath, then shrugged. "Fine, let's drag him inside and get a doctor."

"Should we put him in his old room?" Ursa asked, looking a little unsure.

"Hell no. Didn't Jefferson have a spare room somewhere? Stick him there for now," Elara replied dismissively.

Once, she'd gone all out to prepare a room just for him, decorating it to perfection. But now, with him in this sorry state, she figured that would be a waste. The driver's quarters seemed plenty good for him now, Ursa directed the staff to haul Asher into the servant's quarters and called in a doctor. After checking him out, they confirmed it was just a fever-nothing serious. They left him there to sleep it off.

stood by the window, watching the rain pour down outside. Fresh from her shower, she

come.

then, her phone buzzed with a message from Lysander: [I'm

texted back: [Ok. I just got out

replied: [Got

letting herself

Elara woke up to the mouthwatering smell of the lavish breakfast Ursa had whipped up for her. As she settled in at

before dawn and took

surprised. "Seriously?" She

woke up, but he wasn't having it. Honestly, sometimes I can't figure out what's going

acts like he's got a few screws

keep your distance from Asher. She worried Elara might get mixed up with him again. Elara reassured her with a grin, "No need to worry! If he hadn't collapsed at my doorstep yesterday, I wouldn't have bothered I'm not looking to deal with a corpse on my porch." Ursa sighed with relief.

Ursa felt more at case. It

in clean clothes, sitting in the classroom. When he saw her, he quickly averted his gaze, slipping back into his usual icy demeanor. Elara silently fumed, 'What an asshole. I saved his sorry ass last night, and he can't even say

on their way to a student council

a quick glance. "Yeah,

end of the world. Daphne tried to reassure him, but worry tinged her

day before and

stayed silent, still pissed off about Jefferson swiping his money

gathered her courage and said, "Asher... if you want

I can't stand

busy figuring out how to escape Jefferson's schemes to scam the Kensington family. He

was a man without principles, and he couldn't let himself be dragged into something he had no desire to

he sobered up that morning, he left the Kensington place, determined to cut all ties with

was always seen

care. She threw herself into her

still low, it was the perfect