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."

quick glance at Daphne, who was busy scribbling notes. Normally, Daphne would've been the first to rush

explain, 'She's just been busy

"She was right there yesterday when your dad showed up

going for him, she clearly had

going smoothly, mostly thanks to the quiet support

were starting to show. Asher never really had to deal with these problems before because Elara always had his back,

Chapter 28

Asher couldn't deny it. Just like she said after class, Daphne was nowhere to be

what the hell happened to your face? Did you get

golden boy-getting into a fight

play it off. "Nah, it's

to call the cops, or do

for

intensity that she couldn't help but ask, "So, what's Daphne been up

on for a class.

shit worked out. Trust me, Daphne's the first one to freak out when Asher gets hurt. She

matter how rich your folks are. SAT scores don't care about

feet away, was getting

quiet, but now Lizzie had gone and aired out her and Asher's relationship for the whole

school was buzzing about her and

gambler, and she had no intention of getting caught up in that

think. She

Asher, curiosity lighting up her eyes. "So, where are you thinking of applying for college?" She remembered the image of Asher and Daphne walking side by side through the gates of Brookfield

up top-tier schools like Queensun

cool if we all ended up at the same college? We already know each other. And besides, it'd be fun to see if your relationship survives. the

grades? How do you plan on keeping up with Asher and Daphne? Yeah, you've been doing better lately, but you're not even

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