After Death, Love Unveiled (Elara and Lysander)

Elara turned around, and Lysander was still standing there. "Sorry about that. Ready to keep going"

Lysander frowned, concern flashing across his face. You sure you re alright? You don't seem like yourself"

Tm fine, really," she said quickly, even though her mind was drifting back to the stupid crap she'd done in the past.

It wasn't Asher that was bothering her. Honestly, seeing him now gave her a weird sense of relief. At least she wasn't stuck worrying about the future anymore.

Without Asher in the picture, she felt sure she wouldn't repeat the same screw-up-no HIV, no tragic ending this time

"I think I should head out" Lysander said again, hesitating for a moment before starting to turn away.

But Elara, panicked, stepped forward and grabbed his hand

He paused, glancing back at her with a confused look. "What's up?"

Elara didn't fully understand her own reaction either, but she wasn't blind to the fact that Lysander always seemed to pull away whenever Asher was around. It was like he couldn't handle being near the guy,

Thinking back she'd never really hidden her feelings for Asher. She'd been all over him, and it was obvious to everyone- including Lysander. They probably all thought she was obsessed with Asher.

And yeah, at one point, she was. If not for the disaster that happened before she crossed over, she might've never realized how wrong the wa

But now Lysander was here, staring at her. She let go of his hand, her voice soft but steady. Are you free on Saturday? Im thinking dinner at the Regal Crest. Want to join me!"

The Regal Crest Hotel was known for its food, and after starving to death in her past. she had a newfound appreciation for a good meal.

Before, she would've taken Asher without a second thought. But now, she found herself wanting Lysander's company

After all he was the one her father had picked for her to marry. If she played things right this time, she might actually end up marrying him after graduation.

She used to think her dad didn't give a damn about what she wanted. But looking at Lysander now-with his good looks, his height, and a family background to match Asher she was definitely a solid option. If he was down to spend his life with her, she wasn't exactly losing out Lysander raised an eyebrow. "You're not planning to invite Asher, are you?"

Elara caught the question immediately and shot back. "What, you want me to end up with him? Or do you just want me to avoid you again. like I did before?"

"Hell no." Lysander said. way too fast.

Elara smirked, amused. "Good. It's a date then. See you Saturday.

Elara rolled in late Saturday afternoon-fashionably, of course.

When she got there, she noticed a bunch of familiar faces gathered at the entrance, all decked out like they were attending some high-end event.

Lizzie. Daphne's little minion, spotted her immediately and couldn't resist taking a jab. "Elara? You actually had the nerve to

show up

Elara frowned, not really getting why Lizzie was being snarky. "Why wouldn't I?"

After all the owner of the Regal Crest Hotel was practically family, and she was a top VIP She could come and go whenever

she wanted

Lizzie scoffed, her voice full of sarcasm. "Seriously? Asher hasn't even looked your way at school for days, and yet you still show up to his birthday party like it's no big deal?"

That's when it hit her-today was Asher's birthday..

She'd been so buried in schoolwork that it had completely slipped her mind. If Lizzie hadn't said anything, she might have totally forgotten about the fact that she had organized everything with the hotel for tonight weeks ago.

She remembered back on Asher's eighteenth birthday, when she had thrown him this extravagant bash right here at the Regal Crest. It had been the kind of event everyone talked about for weeks.

But that was also the night she found out about him and Daphne.

She had confronted Asher, but he hadn't even flinched. "Daphne and I like each other. Elara. Why the hell shouldn't we be together? Can you stop trying to fuck with my life?"

Angry, she'd given him the cold shoulder, but that only lasted a couple of days before she caved and made up with him.

After that, Asher and Daphne didn't bother hiding anything. They flaunted their relationship right in her face at every chance they got..

At one point, she'd been so desperate she even begged him to choose her, offering up her father's company just to marry him.

Now, standing there and looking at the scene in front of her, Elara felt nothing. No anger, no jealousy, just a dull emptiness. She chose to ignore the whole thing.

After all, every single detail of this event tonight had been arranged by her. The entire party was being paid for on her dime.

Now that she had stepped back, she was curious to see how Asher planned to handle things, enjoying his birthday bash on her tab like nothing had changed.

Ignoring the snarky comments from her classmates, Elara walked straight into the elevator like she couldn't care less. She already had a table booked with Lysander, but she wasn't sure if he'd gotten there before her.

As soon as the elevator doors slid open, she immediately spotted Asher, laughing with Daphne. The moment he saw her, his gaze locked on like he'd been waiting for this exact moment,

With a smug grin, Asher sauntered over. "Didn't you say you weren't coming? Don't think showing up now is gonna make me forgive you that easily. I'm still pissed. Elara."

He always tried to use his anger to push her around, but this time. Elara just looked at him calmly, with a small, knowing smile. "Was there something you needed?" Feigning surprised. Asher raised his eyebrows. "Aren't you here for my birthday?*

Elara let out a dry laugh. "Why the hell would I celebrate your birthday? You didn't even bother inviting me. Besides, looks like you've got enough people here to keep you busy." Asher's face tightened, irritation flashing across his features. "What's your problem. Elara?" He couldn't wrap his head around. why she wasn't making things easy for him.

Just then, the restaurant manager approached, noticing Elara. "Miss Kensington."

"Has Lysander arrived?" Elara asked, completely ignoring Asher now,

The manager nodded. "Yes, he's here already."

"Great. Lead the way, thanks," she said, brushing past Asher like he wasn't even worth her time.

"Sure, this way please."

But Asher wasn't done. He followed her, his temper flaring. "Elara, haven't you fucked things up enough for one night?"

Finding out she was meeting Lysander clearly pissed him off even more.

Chapter

Flata turned, a teasing gleam in her eyes, I'm not the one fucking things up here, Asher. You said I was a nuisance, didn't want me around. Now that I'm staying out of your way, you're mad again? Make up your damn mind. Your girlfriend's right over there, waiting for you." She glanced at Daphine, who stood off to the side, looking uncertain and more than a little confused. It was clear she hadn't expected Asher to get this worked up over Elara.

But Elara knew what was really going on-Asher didn't care about her. He missed the money, the perks she brought into his life

He never liked her, but he sure as hell didn't mind taking what she gave. Always played like he didn't want it, but never turned anything down.

Now that she wasn't bending over backward to please him, it had him totally off balance. Couldn't let his carefully planned birthday fall apart, after all.

Desperate. Asher tried to reel things back in. "If this is about Daphne, I'll keep my distance from her, alright? Can we just drop this crap and move on?"