After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter 28

Jefferson had just barely dodgeil a real disaster, almost getting hand smashed, while Asher didn't get off so easy-he'd ended up with some fresh bruises.

Those debt collectors weren't playing games. They made it clear they wanted their money, and soon.

Thinking back on his days with the Kensington family, Asher couldn't help but realize life had never been this grim.

Back then, Jefferson had a decent paycheck coming in, and Elars would occasionally throw in some cash.

Sure, Jefferson always took a cut, but he never bled Asher dry. Asher, being a bit of a spender, had usually already blown through a chunk of his own cash anyway, so he wasn't handing over everything to Jefferson, Now, though, his life was an absolute mess compared to those days. Still, the last thing he wanted was to get wrapped up with Elara again.

If he kept listening to Jefferson and scamming her for money, he'd just be turning into another version of the asshole.

Elara's gaze softened as she looked at Asher, her voice gentle. "You know, I really do care about you."

"Huh?" Asher blinked, caught off guard, and turned to meet her eyes.

Elara's lips curled into a playful smirk. "Yeah, I care, I care about how miserable you are. Seeing you down makes me feel

better."

Asher was dumbfounded for a second. Her tone was so sweet, but the words were enough to make him both laugh and want to bang his head against the wall.

Elara kept going. "Next time your dad decides to knock you around, give me a call. Ill come by and give him a round of applause for a job well done."

Asher's face darkened. Annoyed, he pulled out a book, trying to block her out. But he couldn't stop himself from muttering. "You really think Lysander's gonna make you happy?

The guy's loaded, sure, but why would someone like him be into someone as clueless as you? He's definitely up to something"

Elara's expression turned sharp. She shot back, "Whatever's going on between me and him is none of your damn business. But look at you-beat up and pitiful. And where's your girlfriend, huh? Oh right, looks like she's ghosting you. Poor thing."

a quick glance at Daphne, who was busy scribbling notes. Normally, Daphne would've been

explain, 'She's just been

dad showed up and kept her distance. Asher, do you really think both of

Asher had a lot going for him, she clearly had her reservations-especially

to the quiet support from the Kensington family. With their help, Asher had everything he needed-even managing to cover

show. Asher never really had to deal with these

Chapter 28

said after class, Daphne was nowhere to be found. It was

over her face. "Asher, what the hell happened to your

the golden boy-getting into a fight was the last thing anyone expected

shrugged, trying to play it

you want to call the cops, or do you need

need for

such intensity that she couldn't help but ask, "So, what's

looked completely lost in her own world, then turned back to Elara. "Daphne? She's been swamped with some speech she's working on for a class. Why, you need something from her?" Elara gave a sarcastic nod, "Nothing. Just noticed she's so busy she can't even tell when Asher's been roughed

me, Daphne's the first one to freak out when Asher gets hurt. She treats him like a king, and they're even planning to apply to the

getting in, no matter how rich your folks are. SAT scores

that Daphne, sitting just a few feet away, was getting more and more anxious,

gone and aired out her and Asher's relationship for the whole world to

the entire school was buzzing about her and

was a gambler, and she had no

worried about what people would think-and what Asher would think. She was scared they'd start

college?"

decision to aim for Brookfield, especially since he was passing up top-tier schools like Queensun University. Part of her couldn't help but wonder if his choice had anything to

interesting to see where everyone ends up. I mean, wouldn't it be cool if we all ended up at the same college?

sharp. "With your grades? How do you plan on keeping up with Asher and Daphne? Yeah, you've been doing better lately, but

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