After Death, Love Unveiled (Elara and Lysander)

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."

She cast a quick glance at Daphne, 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 his way.

Asher tried to explain, 'She's just been busy with school stuff."

"Yeah, sure!" Elara shot back, rolling her eyes. "She was right there yesterday when your dad showed up and kept her distance. Asher, do you really think both of us are going to dump you?"

Daphne was 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 addict

Before Elara's time travel, things between Daphne and Asher were going smoothly, mostly thanks to the quiet support from the Kensington family. With their help, Asher had everything he needed-even managing to cover for his dad

But now, with 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 things over.

Elara's words stung, and Asher couldn't deny it. Just like she said after class, Daphne was nowhere to be found. It was like she was completely swallowed up by her busy schedule.

Lizzie wandered over, concern all over her face. "Asher, what the hell happened to your face? Did you get into a light or something?"

Everyone knew Asher was the golden boy-getting into a fight was the last thing anyone expected from him,

He shrugged, trying to play it off. "Nah, it's nothing."

Lizzie offered. "Do you want to call the cops, or do you need us to handle it?"

"Nah, no need for that. I'm good."

Elara watched Lizzie fuss over Asher with such intensity that she couldn't help but ask, "So, what's Daphne been up to lately?"

Lizzie threw a quick glance at Daphne, who looked completely lost in her own world, then turned back to Elara. "Daphne? She's been 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 up"

Lizzie jumped in, defensive. "They've got their shit worked out. Trust me, Daphne's the first one to freak out when Asher gets hurt. She treats him like a king, and they're even planning to apply to the same college.

"And you? Don't even think about it-you're not getting in, no matter how rich your folks are. SAT scores don't care about your money.

Lizzie kept rambling, completely unaware that Daphne, sitting just a few feet away, was getting more and more anxious, silently begging for her to just shut up.

Daphne had hoped to keep things quiet, but now Lizzie had gone and aired out her and Asher's relationship for the whole world to see.

Before long, the entire school was buzzing about her and Asher being a couple. Daphne was full of regret.

Asher's dad was a gambler, and she had no intention of getting caught up in that mess.

But now, if she dumped him, she worried about what people would think-and what Asher would think. She was scared they'd start calling her a shallow, vain girl with nothing else going on.

Elara glanced over at Asher, curiosity lighting up her eyes. "So, where are you thinking of applying for college?" She remembered the image of Asher and Daphne walking side by side through the gates of Brookfield University,

It was a memory that stuck with her, but now she was more intrigued by his decision to aim for Brookfield, especially since he was passing up 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 eyebrow. "Why do you care?"

Elara laughed lightly. "Just curious. I figured it'd be interesting to see where everyone ends up. I mean, wouldn't it be cool if we all ended up at the same college? We already know each other. And besides, it'd be fun to see if your relationship survives. the distance." "You serious?" Asher asked, clearly unfazed.

Lizzie jumped in, her tone teasing but 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 apply to the same university as them?"

Asher flashed a cocky grin-We're aiming for Queensun University. Why not shoot for it too? What do you say?"

He had already made up his mind-going to Queensun Universy wasn't just about escaping his controlling father, Jefferson; it was also his shot at finding his estranged mother in Starfield City.

"Not considering Brookfield anymore?" Elara asked, sounding aule surprised.

Asher's tone was firm. "Why would I settle for Brookfield? Maybe that's your best option, but it's not mine."

Elara grinned. "Alright, I'll apply to Queensun University tool"

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Lizzie couldn't help but snicker at Elara's sudden decision. She field back from making any biting comments, not wanting to stir up trouble, but the amusement was clear on her face.

She slid back over to sit next to Daphne and leaned in to whisper. "Elara's got some nerve. She seriously thinks she can get into Queensun? Does she really believe her grades are good enough now?" Daphne glanced at Elara, her expression a mix of emotions. A part of her had once hoped Elara would fall for Asher again. But with Lysander in the picture, that seemed like a distant possibility. Still, she couldn't help but ask Lizzie quietly, "Do you think Elara still has feelings for Asher?"

In her heart, Daphne almost wished it were true. Maybe then Jefferson wouldn't keep stirring up drama at school, and Asher could finally find some stability-financial and otherwise.

Lizzie's voice was sharp. If she even thinks about going after Asher, she's gonna have to deal with me."

Daphne sighed and gave Lizzie a look that said everything. Having a friend who was so clueless about how she really felt could be exhausting sometimes.