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."

who was busy scribbling notes. Normally, Daphne would've been the first to rush over to Asher's side, but today, she hadn't even looked

just

eyes. "She was right there yesterday when your dad showed up

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

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

Elara pulling away, the cracks in the Blackwood family were starting to show. Asher never really had to deal with these problems before because Elara always had his back, smoothing

Chapter 28

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

what the hell happened to your face? Did you get into a light or

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

play it off.

offered. "Do you want to call the cops, or do

for that.

Lizzie fuss over Asher with such intensity that she couldn't

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

the first one to freak out when Asher gets hurt. She treats him like a king, and they're

getting in, no matter how

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

gone and aired out her and Asher's relationship for

about her and Asher being a couple. Daphne

dad was a gambler, and she had no intention of

if she dumped him, she worried about what people would think-and what Asher would think. She

"So, where are you thinking of applying for college?" She remembered the image of Asher and Daphne walking side

top-tier schools like Queensun University. Part of her couldn't help but wonder if his choice had anything to do with her. Asher raised an

mean, wouldn't it be cool if we all ended up at

sharp. "With your grades? How do you plan on keeping up with 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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