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."

scribbling notes. Normally, Daphne would've been the first to

'She's just been

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

always steering clear of drama. Even though Asher had a lot going for him, she clearly had her reservations-especially about his dad,

Asher were going smoothly, mostly thanks to the quiet support

in the Blackwood family were starting to show. Asher never really had to deal with these problems

Chapter 28

after class, Daphne was nowhere to be found. It was like she

concern all over her face. "Asher, what the hell happened to your face? Did you get

knew Asher was the golden boy-getting into a fight

play it off. "Nah, it's

to call the cops, or do

need for

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

been swamped with some speech she's working on for a class. Why, you need something from her?" Elara gave

one to freak out when Asher gets hurt. She treats him

Don't even think about it-you're not getting in, no matter

feet away, was

and aired out her and Asher's relationship

long, the entire school was buzzing about her and Asher being a couple. Daphne was full

dad was a gambler, and she had no

now, if she dumped him, she worried about what people would think-and what Asher would think. She was scared they'd start calling

for college?" She remembered the image of Asher and Daphne walking side by side through the

a memory that stuck with her, but now she was more intrigued by his decision to aim for Brookfield, especially since he was passing up top-tier schools like Queensun

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

Asher and Daphne? Yeah, you've been doing better lately, but you're not even cracking the top ten in our class. You seriously think you can

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