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.

pour down outside. Fresh from her shower, she

come.

then, her phone buzzed with a message

just got out

[Got

Good night.] She typed before finally letting herself

lavish breakfast Ursa had whipped up for her. As she settled in at

up before dawn

"Seriously?" She figured he'd still be hanging

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

"Right? He acts like he's got a few screws

again. Elara reassured her with a grin,

since Elara had stopped being so infatuated, Ursa felt more at case. It seemed like the

gaze, slipping back into his usual icy demeanor. Elara silently fumed, 'What an asshole. I saved

Daphne caught up with Asher on their way to a student council meeting, With concern, she asked,

a quick glance. "Yeah,

the game yesterday isn't the end of the world. Daphne tried to reassure him, but worry tinged

Elara the day before and was anxious he might ditch her for

stayed silent, still pissed off about Jefferson swiping his

gathered her courage and said, "Asher... if you want to be with Elara. I'm behind

Lysander gets on my nerves. I can't stand them having it all their way!" Daphne felt a wave of relief. "Glad to hear

to escape Jefferson's schemes to scam the

and he couldn't let himself be dragged into something he had no desire to be a part

that morning, he left the

after that, Asher was always seen

into her studies and

was the perfect time to invest for some