After Death, Love Unveiled (Elara and Lysander)

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?"

Hearing Lysander's name hit Elara hard. Her stomach dropped. It was a painful reminder that he hadn't texted her back that morning. Clearly, he was still pissed.

Seeing Elara's silence, Daphne mistook it for hesitation 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 eyebrow, incredulous. "He cares about me? Do you actually believe the bullshit coming out of your mouth?"

Daphne 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 his family mess,"

Elara forced a smile, but it felt hollow. Maybe oner she would've believed that, but not anymore,

43%

If Asher had even a shred of decency, 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 swear III step back."

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

Elara's brow shot up. "Alright. Have him come to me and say it to my face."

In her mind, if Asher actually showed up, apologized, and begged her for forgiveness, maybe-just maybe-she'd consider it. But having Daphne do his 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 reach out first?"

She figured if Elara acted like she used to, Asher would eventually come around..

Elara gave her a sharp, mocking look. "So, let me get this straight. You want me to crawl back, offer him a job, and maybe even pay off his dad's gambling debts while I'm at it?"

Daphne didn't see the problem. After all, Elara had done things like that before. "If you help him out, he'll be grateful. You know he will," she said.

Elara burst out laughing at that. "Grateful? And what the hell is his gratitude worth? Do I look like I need his thanks? Ever since he stopped tutoring me, my grades have skyrocketed. Honestly, I'm worried I'm improving too damn fast-I might need someone to slow me down!"

Noticing Elara's irritation, Daphne quickly promised, "If you agree, I swear Asher will only have eyes for you

I'll totally have your back." He won't snap at you like before. And if he tries to give you any crap,

from now on

Elara scoffed, "So I'm supposed to cough up the cash and rely on you to protect me? Unbelievable. People really have no shame these days."

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

Daphne watched her leave, frustration bubbling up inside her. Even after trying to help her out with Asher, Elara still had that attitude. Guess she'd have to deal with Asher herself.

When Daphne found Asher, he was playing basketball with some friends. The moment she showed up, they started ribbing him. "Hey, man, your girl's here!"

Asher glanced over at Daphne and walked toward her. "Where have you been?"

"I was just talking to Elara," Daphne replied, a bit downcast.

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

Daphne sighed. "You know how she is. But it's whatever. She said if you go talk to her and play nice, she'll give you a job."

"I thought we agreed to drop all that. Why'd you go see her?" Asher frowned, confused.

Daphne pressed on, "It's less than a year now. Just hang in there, okay? Once we're out of Brookfield, everything will be different. Asher, stop being so damn stubborn, will you?

"You think I wanted to go see her? She even called me manipulative, threw all kinds of crap my way. But if it's for you, I'll put up with it. Can't you at least see I'm trying here?" 18:23 Wed, Nov 6

"She really said that about you?" Asher was shocked.

The last time Elara cried in front of him, he'd felt guilty. But now, hearing she'd insulted Daphne-who had always been genuine-really pissed him off.

His jaw tightened, and he looked at Daphne with a new resolve. Alright, I'll go talk to her

Just remember, be nice. Don't piss her off, Daphne warned. "She used to have a thing for you, so butter her up a bit, and she'll calm down. Oh, and tell her we've broken up. She doesn't geed to see us hanging around each other anymore." Asher raised an eyebrow, confused. "Wait, broken up?"

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