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.

rain pour down outside. Fresh from her shower, she lay in bed,

come.

buzzed with a message from Lysander: [I'm

back: [Ok. I just got out of

replied: [Got

before finally letting herself drift off, the sound of rain tapping gently

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

up before dawn and took off

raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "Seriously?" She figured he'd

but he wasn't having it. Honestly, sometimes I can't figure out

like he's got a few screws

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

felt more at case. It seemed like the

Asher was back, now 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 thanks. So, she plopped down

way to a student council meeting, With concern, she asked, "Feeling better

her a quick glance.

game yesterday isn't the end of the world. Daphne

day before and was anxious he might ditch her for

still pissed off about Jefferson swiping

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

up and said earnestly. "You're way off base! I'm not into Elara. It's just... seeing her with Lysander gets on my nerves. I can't stand them having it

escape Jefferson's schemes to scam the Kensington family. He wasn't about

knew all too well that Jefferson was a man without principles, and he couldn't let himself be dragged into something he had

soon as he sobered up that morning, he left the Kensington place, determined to

was always seen with

into her studies and spent her spare time checking out

perfect time to invest for some promising future