After Death, Love Unveiled

Chapter 31

Asher couldn't stop thinking about Elara's biting words from earlier, saying Daphne didn't care about him anymore.

Noticing the tension in his face, Daphne quickly jumped in, trying to lighten the mood. "Asher, come on, it's just a fake breakup! You'll always be my number one.

"We're just playing our parts for now, but once we graduate, we're both off to Queensun University. Trust me, Elara doesn't stand a chance of getting in! Can't you see how much I care about you?" Asher looked at Daphne, who was willing to go this far for him, and a whirlwind of emotions hit him all at once. "Daphne, you really don't have to go through all this for me."

The fact that she stood up to Elara, all for his sake-that wasn't something just anyone would do.

Tm good with it, seriously! Just go for it!" Daphne shot him a look full of determination and encouragement.

Meanwhile, in the classroom, Elara was hunched over her desk, scribbling away like mad, when Asher picked the worst possible moment to show up.

His tall figure blocked the sunlight streaming in from the window, and Elara, irritated, glanced up. "What now? she asked. her tone sharp.

Why the hell are you bullying Daphne?" Asher demanded, no trace of warmth in his voice.

Elara blinked, caught completely off guard. "Me? Bullying her? You've gotta be kidding."

Asher didn't back down. His tone was hard, like he was accusing her of something serious. "Elara, just because you grew up with a silver spoon in your mouth doesn't mean you can treat the rest of us like crap. "Do you really think you can stomp all over people just because you've had it easier? Daphne busts her ass every day and she's never done a damn thing to you."

Elara's patience snapped. "I haven't bullied her she fired back.

"Then why are you calling her manipulative?"

"So, just because I said she's manipulative, that makes me a bully now? Seriously?"

Elara could barely believe what she was hearing. She'd half-expected Daphne to have spun some bullshit story, but this was ridiculous

A bitter, ugly feeling twisted in her chest. She knew all about the rumors that followed her around campus-Daphne had even spread the one about her being some rich guy's sugar baby

And Asher, of all people, knew the truth. But he'd never once defended her. And now, just because she called Daphne out on her shady behavior, she was the villain.

The difference between love and indifference hit her like a punch to the gut. Harsh. Brutal.

eyes with Elara and admitted, "Yeah, I know I've treated you unfairly. But if you're pissed, take it

okay? She's not manipulative; she's a freaking saint, right? It's all my fault, happy now?" 18:23 Wed, Nov

Chapter 31

hard look-Knock

rolled her eyes. "You better keep protecting her-wouldn't want your precious, fragile girlfriend to blow over

her gaze, unfazed by

job for you, of all things! But looking at you now, it seems like you've got everything handled. So,

up. Asher replied, "Nah, I'm

heading out?"

to the store. Honestly, he wasnt in a hurry to go home either-going home meant

"So, how did it go

not spending her money. Ill figure it out on my own. My boss offered me a gig tutoring his kid-300

boss was generous, and with Asher's top-notch grades, tutoring paid way better than his retail

assumed Asher had already smoothed things over with Elara,

YEL

muttered, "I only went to see Elara for you. If you're not interested, then whatever. I shouldn't have bothered sticking my nose where it doesn't belong With that, she spun around and walked off. Meanwhile, Elara made her way straight to the Regal Crest Hotel The moment she stepped into the lobby, Hadden greeted her with a friendly smile. "Hey, Elara. You here by

him a favor last time,

a slight nod, "Yeah,

a bit curious. "Mr. Hawthorne's

personal stuff to deal with," Elara said, a little disappointed. She had texted him earlier while in the car,

conversation in another direction. "So, what are you in the mood to eat? I can have the kitchen whip up

off. Then, switching gears, she

eyebrow, intrigued. "Business? What kind of

talk about buying some land, Elara said, getting straight to

into that mess? Wouldn't it be better to spend your money on something fun, like clothes or jewelry? What's got

Chapter 31

43%

for what felt like forever, but no one was interested. It was eating him

ended up in Asher's hands, and he turned

the ass as Asher could be, the guy had a knack for spotting money-makers. Ever since Elara handed the company over to him, he'd thrown himself into real estate and be booming internet scene-both industries primed to blow up

eye on were the very ones Hadden was eager to sell. He hesitated, clearly surprised

by your dad. If