After Death, Love Unveiled (Elara and Lysander)

hapter 10

After Hadden walked out, Elara gave Lysander a puzzled look. "Why'd you help me?"

She had a ton of information to back her up, sure. But from Lysander's point of view, there was no way he could've known

that.

Lysander leaned back casually. "You asked for help. Why wouldn't I?"

"Aren't you worried I might be full of shit?"

Lysander just smirked. "And if you are? So what? Even if you're making it all up, no skin off my back. It's just a simple favor for him."

His laid-back attitude, the easy confidence in his voice, sent a warm glow through Elara. It made her feel trusted. Something she hadn't felt in a long, long time.

Her mind flashed back to when she was diagnosed with HIV. No one believed her. Everyone jumped to conclusions, assuring she'd been careless, reckless even.

If she had been, maybe she could've accepted the blame. But she hadn't.

People were cruel, keeping their distance, treating her like she was tainted. Eventually, she'd started to hate herself too.

But deep down, she knew the ones who had framed her-they knew her innocence better than anyone.

of

After dinner, Elara and Lysander didn't rush to leave. They ordered dessert, taking their time, enjoying the rare moment o peace

Elara focused on her assignments, biting into her dessert, while Lysander patiently walked her through the problems she couldn't solve on her own. They stayed like that until night fell.

Later, when Asher's birthday party wrapped up and everyone was about to leave, there was a hold-up-Asher hadn't paid the bill.

Asher called Elara, but she let the phone ring out.

Lysander, sitting beside her, glanced over. "Not gonna answer?"

"I know who it is," Elara said, unfazed.

Asher called two more times before she finally picked up.

"Elara, what the fuck is this supposed to mean?!" Asher's voice was boiling with anger on the other end.

The angrier he got, the more satisfied Elara felt. She'd sworn to herself she wouldn't get involved with him again, but there were old scores to settle.

And until she did, she knew she wouldn't be able to o move

She gave a sly smirk, teasing, "What's got you so riled up, Asher

Asher's voice dropped, laced with a warning. "Just get your ass over here and pay the bill. Don't make this a scene." -He'd planned to slip out right after the birthday party, cut Elara off once and for all. But of course, she had to show up, probably just to watch him crash and burn.

Now here he was, flat broke, unable to pay, leaving everyone in this painfully awkward limbo.

Feigning surprise, Elara shot back, "Oh, isn't this something? It's your birthday, and I haven't spent a single cent. Why should I be the one footing the bill? Maybe you should ask your loyal fans-you know, the ones always tagging along to your fancy meals.

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Back when they were close. Elara used to slip him tens of thousands every month, calling it a "tutoring fee.

He'd take it like it was his due, always acting like the big spender, always with a crowd around. None of them had a clue it was Elara's money keeping up his show.

Now, flustered and pissed, Asher growled, "Elara, do you have to do this right now? What the hell do you want? Just name your price, and I'll do it. Just cover the damn bill."

Elara chuckled softly. "If you're asking for a favor, maybe try sounding like it. What do you think?"

She could hear the frustration in his ragged breathing through the phone. But she wasn't the same Elara who used to bend over backward for him. And Asher, now, was left in a swirl of confusion and anger.

She smirked again, her tone light but cutting. "Not gonna beg? Fine. Whatever. I'm hanging up?"

"Please!" Asher gripped the phone tightly, his voice low and strained through clenched teeth.

The hotel staff stood around, eyes darting, waiting for someone to settle the tab. No one could leave, and Asher could feel the weight of all those stares, suffocating him.

Without another word, Elara hung up. She turned to Lysander. "I'll be back in a bit,"

She stepped into the private room, where the party guests were still awkwardly clustered, all throwing each other uncomfortable glances, clearly waiting for Asher to pay up. No one could move, and Asher had to suffer under their silent judgment. When Elara walked in, the manager immediately greeted her with respect. "Miss Kensington."

She swept her eyes over the room, taking in the well-dressed crowd. She remembered how smug they'd been earlier, but now their arrogance had crumbled. Nothing wipes out someone's pride faster than being trapped with no way to pay the bill. Elara bearned, her smile as bright as ever. "What's going on, everyone? Isn't this Asher's big birthday party? Why the long faces?' Her gaze slid deliberately toward Asher Blackwood, whose expression was stormy with anger. Daphne stood nearby, clearly confused and unsure of what was happening.

The manager quickly stepped in, explaining. "Mr. Blackwood hasn't settled the bill yet, so I gave him a reminder."

Elara raised an eyebrow, her voice smooth. "Oh, I see! No big deal, guys. No need to get all tense over something small like that. We're all friends here, right? I'll cover it tonight."

With that, she handed over her card without hesitation, and the manager quickly left to handle the

payment.

The others exchanged uneasy glances, their thoughts obvious. It's Asher's birthday, but Elara's paying? What the hell? Can't he afford his own party?"

Asher's face flushed with embarrassment. He shot a glare at Elara, finally realizing what was going on-she had shown up just to humiliate him in front of everyone. To make it clear that he couldn't pay his own way and had to rely on her.

In the past, she'd always handled things discreetly. But not this time. Now she was making a spectacle of it, swiping her card in front of the whole damn group. She was doing this on purpose.

'Crazy bitch, he fumed to himself.

The

manager came back, handing Elara her card and the receipt. "Miss Kensington, the payment's all set. Here's the bill" Elara glanced at the receipt, then raised her voice deliberately. Three hundred grand! Happy birthday, Asher! This one's on me, but let's be clear-there won't be a next time. I don't mind supporting you, but I'm not about to pay for your girlfriend

too

She threw a pointed look at Daphne as she spoke.

Daphne's face went ghostly pale. "Wait, what? Asher's money comes from Elara? Isn't he supposed to be rich? she wondered. Everyone could feel the tension thick in the air, and the reality of the situation hitting hard.

That was when Lizzie stepped forward, her voice sharp. "What the hell are you trying to say, Elara! Just because you've got 2:58 PM

control of Asher's money, you think it's yours now? You're nothing but the daughter of his family's servant. Who do you think. you are, really?"

Elara laughed. her eyes narrowing as she looked at Lizzie. Does your family let their servants manage their money? And for the record, I'm not Asher's family's servant's daughter. His dad's my family's driver. Remember that day at the school gate? He left me behind and drove off with Asher and Daphine. Well, guess what? He's been fired. Don't believe me? Ask Asher yourself.

She turned her piercing gaze on Asher. "So, Asher, what do you have to say?"