After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter 26

Elara was thrown for a second but quickly brushed it off. "You're put of your mind! I'd rather drop dead than be into you!" she fired back, storming off.

Jefferson watched her go and shouted after her, "Relax, Elaral get Asher to come around in a few days! That stubborn idiot-1 knock some sense into him when I get home!" He was about to follow her when Asher stepped in front of him

Seething, Jefferson glared at him. "What's your deal, Asher? If youre not gonna step up, why stop me? We finally see her, and you screw it up! Do you ever get anything right?" By now, Elara had already slid into her car, watching the drama unfold. Asher blocked Jefferson, looking irritated, and said, "Could you stop showing up at my school? Seriously?"

"I'll show up whenever the hell I want!" Jefferson shot back. "You got any money? You're always out with that girl and never thinking about making any cash..."

"I'm broke!" Asher snapped, frustrated. "You took everything last time! That was my college savings, man!"

"What the hell have you been up to lately? Still wasting your time with that girlfriend of yours?" Jefferson was losing his

temper.

Back when Asher had Elara in the palm of his hand, Jefferson didn't care how much time he wasted with Daphne. But now, it was a whole different ball game.

Jefferson was convinced Elara was freezing Asher out because of Daphne, and he wasn't gonna stand by and watch it happen Time to step in.

Impatient, Asher snapped, "That's none of your damn business just get the hell out of here-I gotta get to work!"

"Work, work," Jefferson sneered. "That's all you ever go on about How much can you even make in a month? You'd be better off trying to win Elara over! Look at her, she's pissed as helll" Asher scoffed. "She's not my type. Now back off!"

Jefferson almost lost it but caught himself, remembering they were at the school. He swallowed his anger and said through gritted teeth, "We'll settle this at home. But for now, hand over the money. If you don't, I'll go straight to Elara."

Asher shot him a cold glare, pulled a few hundred bucks from his pocket, and practically threw it at him. That's all I've got," he said, his voice flat.

Jefferson frowned at the cash and muttered, "This ain't enough. You better find a way to get more, or do you really want to see them cut off my hand? You're just like your mother-heartless!"

Asher's gaze turned hard. "Your problems are not my responsibility. If you know gambling might get your hand chopped off. maybe you should stop fucking gambling." Without another word, he hopped on the bus that had just pulled up, not even looking back. Jefferson watched him leave, jaw clenched in frustration. He glanced down at the pathetic wad of cash in his hand and shook his head. That kid's getting out of control, he muttered to himself.

Daphne had come out of school with Asher but had been keeping her distance, watching the whole exchange from the sidelines. She didn't step forward until both of them were long gone.

realizing he was Asher's dad. And now, seeing him tome begging for money from his own son, even though Asher clearly didn't have much, left her stunned. 18:22 Wed, Nov

Chapter 26

seemed

:43%2

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situation, Daphine had waited until the coast was

move.

the argument unfold outside before

laugh. She didn't even like the guy. Why the hell would he think I'd marry him? Just because his dad tossed a few compliments my way?' she thought, shaking her head. When

a

her bad mood instantly. "Who pissed

answering, her tone icy. "Nobody worth mentioning, just ran into a jerk. When Lysander shows up, tell him I'll be

Lysander had been coming home later than usual, and Elara couldn't figure out

upstairs, Lysander finally showed up. Ursa, ever the informant, filled him in.

frowned, concerned, "What

think it's got something to do with Asher, Ursa replied

upstairs and gently pushed open the

on her laptop, watching the latest hit talk

with amusement.

her, trying not to disturb her, but she noticed and gave him a soft smile. "Oh, hey,

held up with

lately?" she asked,

usually even beating her home from school. But now, he always seemed

at her warmly, he added, "Don't worry though. We'll still get our tutoring sessions in.

before asking gently, "Are you planning on going to college

truth, his family had been pushing him to leave, but

1. it.

an eyebrow. "How'd you hear about

she was letting on. Those old memories had