After Death, Love Unveiled (Elara and Lysander)

Chapter

11

Asher shot her a dark, pissed-off glare, his eyes burning with frustration and resentment. All his life, no matter how down-and-out he'd been, he'd never been humiliated like this.. Right now, it felt like every person in the room was staring at him, soaking in his embarrassment.

And the worst part was that he couldn't say a damn thing. The words just wouldn't come. Elara might just toss the money right back and leave him standing there, looking like a total fool. He decided to ignore her. Screw her. He spun around, fists clenched, and stormed off.

Daphne saw it all-awkward didn't even begin to cover how she felt. Regret was gnawing at her, but there was nothing she could do except trail after him.

This day was a train wreck. She'd spent all that time bragging to her classmates about her relationship with Asher, making it sound like they were some power couple.

She thought being with Asher, who she believed was the rich heir to some big-shot family, would bring her admiration, maybe even a little envy.

But, nope-reality hit her like a truck. The guy was just the son of a driver. "What the hell was all that bullshit about him being rich? she cursed to herself.

As the two of them stormed out, Elara glanced around the room and sighed, her voice calm but with an edge. "Alright, if there's nothing else, let's call it a night. It's getting late.

Slowly, the crowd started shuffling out of the Gallery Room. Elara waited until the room was almost empty before she moved to leave. The manager escorted her to the elevator, and they ended up running into Lysander Elara paused, her eyes locking onto him. "You're still here?"

Lysander gave her a lazy smile and stepped closer. Just wrapped things up. You done too?"

Elara nodded, her face unreadable. "Yeah, done for the night"

They stepped into the elevator together. Elara seemed lost in her own head, unusually quiet.

She'd managed to clear her name in front of everyone, but honestly, it didn't feel as good as she'd hoped.

The years

of shit she'd gone through-this little bit of payback against Asher didn't even come close to making up for it.

Lysander picked up on her mood and didn't push it. He just stood by her, his presence steady and silent.

The elevator reached the ground floor, and they were met with an unexpected sight-Hadden, waiting there. The second he spotted Elara, he made a beeline straight for her, not even sparing Lysander a glance. "Elara," he called, his face lit with relief. His whole focus was on her.

"Hi, Hadden," she greeted, even though her mind was still elsewhere.

Hadden grabbed her hand, his voice full of gratitude. "Elara, I can't thank you enough! You saved our hotel from a complete disaster. I just went over everything myself-there were so many issues, and it was all because of my idiot cousin. Ive already sent his ass packing!" Elara let out a sigh, feeling a weight lift. "I was just doing what I had to do."

Hadden, obviously impressed, frowned in curiosity. "But how did you even know about the fire safety issues in the hotel?"

Elara paused for a split second, then shrugged and went for it. "1. uh... I dreamed about it last night.

Hadden laughed, shaking his head. "A dream, huh? Well, whatever it was, I'm glad you did! Oh, and by the way. I've got something for both of you."

He waved at his assistant, who came over with bags, neatly packed and clearly fancy. "Just a small token of appreciation. And listen, if you ever need anything, anything at all, you know where to find me. I owe you, big time." Chapter 11

It was clear as day-Hadden wasn't about to forget what she'd done for him anytime soon.

Hadden personally walked them to the door just as the Hawthorne family's car rolled up

Elara slid into the bar kurat, her eyes wandering out the cars crawling along, slowing everything down

The streets were almost em

Sitting beside Lysander, Elara was unusually quiet, a far cry from her usual thatty self when they were together

Lysander didn't press her, just kept his thoughts to himself. How the hell did she know about the Ere hazards at the Regal Crest Hotel? he wondered. She seems to know more about that place than Hadden does

He'd also heard about the scene at the Gallery Room. She had blown off Asher's birthday party, choosing instead to spend the whole day with him, leaving Asher humiliated in front of everyone.

Is she really cutting ties with him for good? Then why did the look so damn sad he thought.

But Elara wasn't dwelling on it for long. She knew she had a second shot at life, and as long as she avoided the mistakes from before, she could fix most of her regrets.

She was beyond tired, though-burning the midnight oil with her studies had left her completely drained

Before she even realized it, she leaned into Lysander, her head resting on his shoulder, and drifted off

Lysander froze, barely breathing, worried that any move he made would wake her.

"We're here, Mr. Hawthorne, the driver said quietly from the front seat

Lysander glanced outside, then back at Elara's sleeping face. He hesitated, not sure if he should wake her. The driver waited ourside patiently, but Lysander couldn't bring himself to disturb her peaceful sleep- Elara slowly stirred awake. She blinked, then looked out the window, realizing they were already home. She glanced at Lysander, noticing that he hadn't moved, his eyes flicking away from her.

Rubbing her stiff neck, she straightened up. "We're here already?"

"Yeah," Lysander said softly.

"Why didn't you wake me?" she asked, a little curious.

"You looked like you needed it. Didn't wanna disturb you," he said, his voice calm, his expression unreadable.

Elara watched him for a moment, catching a slight flush at the tips of his ears. For all his usual coldness, it hit her how deep his

innocence ran.

"Lysander," she said softly, and he finally turned to meet her eyes. "Are you scared of me?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Lysander paused for a second, then shook his head "No."

"Then why do you keep dodging my eyes? You act like I'm some kind of plague or something, she teased, pressing him

Lysander cleared his throat, clearly caught off guard. Im just... not used to being close to people. But deep down, he knew- she was the only person who'd ever made him feel like this.

Elara couldn't help but let out a laugh. "Why don't you just tell me to stay away then?" she teased, her eyes glinting with

mischief.

Lysander looked thrown for a second, not expecting her to flip it on him like that. Trying to steer the conversation elsewhere, he asked, "Alright, but seriously, why'd you dump Asher? You used to be all over the guy

At the mention of Asher, Elara's expression shifted. Her gaze wandered to the empty driveway ahead. "I just realized I don't like him anymore. That's it. No irama" She shrugged it off like it was nothing. "Anyway, I should get inside." The second she stepped out of the car, the massive gates

s of the Kensington estate swung open, and there stood her father,

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Chapter II

Barrett Kensington, waiting in the doorway.

Elara's face instantly brightened. "Dad! You're home!"

Barrett was always neck-deep in work, so he was rarely around. Elara had grown used to being surrounded by staff, but it wasn't the same as having her dad around.

Still, he spoiled her to no end, making sure she knew that her happiness came first, always

Those carefree days of being Barret's little princess felt so far away now. In the past, when he'd warned her not wrapped up with Asher, she hadn't listened. She'd thought she knew better. to get too

Now, standing in front of him again, a wave of emotions surged inside her. She didn't even think-she just ran to him, burying her face in his chest as tears spilled down her cheeks. "Dad... It was funny, wasn't it? The people closest to one were the ones who saw their fall apart.

Barrett had planned on giving her a lecture-it was late, after all, and she should ve been home earlier. But the moment he saw the tears streaming down her face, his tough exterior crumbled.

He awkwardly patted her back, clearly flustered. Tm here, sweetheart. What's going on? Who made my baby cry? Was it that asshole Asher Blackwood? I heard you threw him and his old man out on their asses Elara tightened her grip around him, shaking her head. "No, it's nothing like that. Dad. I just missed you, that's all

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