After Death, Love Unveiled

above it all.

But the second Elara questioned her motives, her face twisted. That's not me. Everything I do is for Asher. I genuinely want what's best for him. I want him to have a bright future," Elara Kensington smirked, her voice slow and cutting. "But... If his future isn't as bright as you're hoping, how could he possibly deserve someone like you?"

Daphne's temper flared. "If you're not planning to be with him, that's on you! I'm just trying to help you both! You were crazy about him-doesn't he mean anything to you anymore? "It's sad, Elara, seeing you so alone. Ever sitice you and Asher fell out, you've been like a ghost on campus. I miss when the three of us used to walk home together after school. If you don't want my help, fine, but don't drag me through the mud for it. No wonder Asher isn't into you, the way you act so paranoid.

Elara let out a low, sarcastic laugh. "Oh, there it is. That's the real Daphne talking, isn't it? Now that Asher's all about you and ignoring me, you must feel real good, don't you?"

"Elara Kensington!" Daphne snapped, finally losing it. Tve always believed we should support each other, but you keep throwing shade just because I have better grades? Because Asher likes me?

Tve never seen you as competition! I've always wanted to be friends, but you're always doubting me! Why do you have to make things so damn hard for me?"

"Oh, I'm the one throwing shade now?" Elara shot back, her expression shifting between disbelief and anger.

She used to think Daphine was better than this. But after everything she'd gone through-the memories from before her time travel-it all cut like a knife.

She remembered how she'd been betrayed, left in the dark by Asher. And Daphne had been right there, accusing her of being loose, even hinting she had AIDS.

In her last moments, Daphne had finally shown her true face, proudly admitting everything-

There was no betrayal worse than from someone one trusted. And here was Daphne, still acting like she was some kind of

saint

Elara let out a small, sarcastic laugh. "Oh, you're a real saint, aren't you? You know the Blackwood family is a damn bottomless pit, but now you're trying to drag me in too? Funny how you never mentioned giving Asher to me before."

"You're overthinking this!" Daphne snapped back, keeping her voice steady. "Asher's got ambition, and he's gonna make it big! He just needs a little support right now.

"If you help him, he'll never forget it. But seriously, think about Lysander-if he found out you were being well, kept, do you really think he'd still give a damn about you?"

reminder that he hadn't texted her

and pressed on. "Look, Asher's got his reasons for not being with you right now. Deep down, he still cares about you." Elara raised an

nodded earnestly. "I swear! I saw how much he was hurting and told him to talk to you, but he'said he didn't want to drag you into

18:23 Wed, Nov 6

Chapter 30

hollow. Maybe oner

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he wouldn't have left her to deal with the aftermath-especially after she got AIDS because of him-and he didn't even have the balls to show any morse. Daphne kept going, undeterred. "Asher's really struggling right now, and all I wanted to do was help him out. If you're willing to be with him, I

course, her real plan was to let them stay together until after the SATS, then she'd

come to

dirty work? That just confirmed he wasn't even willing to try. Daphne sighed. "Asher's way too proud. He's not gonna come to you himself. If you want to help him, why don't you

like she used

"So, let me get this straight. You want me to crawl

After all, Elara had done things like that before. "If you help him out,

like I need his thanks? Ever since he stopped tutoring me, my grades have skyrocketed. Honestly, I'm worried I'm improving too

Daphne quickly promised, "If you agree, I

He won't snap at you like before. And if he

from now on

I'm supposed to cough up the cash and rely on you to protect me? Unbelievable. People really

she turned on her heel and walked away, deciding any further conversation was a waste of

to help her out with Asher, Elara still had that attitude. Guess she'd

some friends. The moment she

glanced over at Daphne and walked toward her. "Where

just talking to Elara," Daphne replied, a

give you hell?" Asher asked, concern creeping into his