After Death, Love Unveiled (Elara and Lysander)

"I don't need it. Take it back!" Elara said curtly to Asher, "I will not accept anything from you."

Asher responded, "Can't you think of me as an older brother or something? After all, we lived together for a few years." Elara retorted, "Who would want anything to do with you? You mooched off our family for so long. I want nothing with you." Elara's biting words made Asher visibly uncomfortable.

"It's your big day. Must you say such harsh things?" he said, his tone still calm. "I only want the best for you. And... let's just say I owe the Kensington family for those years. I'm not someone who forgets a debt." This last statement made Elara look at him more intently. Especially when he emphasized he wasn't ungrateful.

Her father had always said Asher was decent. He said Asher was helpful, quick to agree when asked for favors, and diligent about sending appropriate gifts during holidays.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Barrett often treated him like a second son, never regretting the decision to support him.

Indeed, Asher seemed respectable enough now. But Elara knew his true nature better than anyone.

It wasn't because he was inherently good. It was because the Kensington family had grown more powerful, and Elara's upcoming marriage to Lysander solidified ties to a family far beyond Asher's reach. Asher wouldn't dare to offend them. He still had something to gain.

That didn't change the fact that he was fair-weather. If someone became useless to him, he'd discard them without hesitation.

For him to claim he wasn't ungrateful felt almost comical.

Asher noticed Elara's scrutinizing him and sought her approval.

He said, "Regardless, I've always thought of you as a little sister. If you ever have trouble with Lysander or need help, you can

count on me."

Elara replied coldly, "No, thanks..If I ever get mistreated, I'll be grateful enough if you don't kick me while I'm down. Take your gift and leave. I don't appreciate your presence today." Cynthia and Quarry exchanged glances.

Asher's attitude had been surprisingly cordial, yet Elara gave him no grace at all.

Asher's face darkened. "Fine. I'll leave it here. Whether you want it or not is up to you!"

He had hoped to mend things with Elara and let bygones be bygones. They didn't need to sever ties completely.

But her hostility still stung. He was clearly hoping for her to be well.

Asher set the gift down and left.

Quarry asked, "Elara, what will you do about this? It really seems like he got it at an auction. It's probably expensive! He's quite generous."

Elara called over Ursa, who had returned with her to the Kensington family's estate for the wedding preparations. Elara instructed, "Take this back to Asher. If he won't accept it, give it to his wife."

"Yes." Ursa took the box and left with it.

Asher descended the stairs but didn't leave immediately. Instead he lingered and chatted briefly with Barrett.

Barrett, dressed impeccably in a suit with a boutonniere pinned to his chest, exuded an air of sophistication.

When he noticed Asher's sour expression, he remarked, "Elara has never been fond of you. Now that both of you are married, it's natural to maintain some distance."

Asher sighed and replied, "You've always treated me like a father would, and I've always regarded her as a sister. If something were to happen to you one day, and she needed help, who else would look after her?"

He added, "In the past, I could understand if she looked down on me because of my lower status and lack of capability compared to Lysander.

"But I've proven myself now. I'm not expecting anything from her, yet she still despises me this much. Why?"

Those school days were nothing more than childish nonsense, a result of being young and foolish at the time.

Now that they were adults, Asher couldn't believe Elara still held such a deep-seated grudge.

Barrett observed Asher's dejection and said, "You have a kind heart, but perhaps you and Elara weren't meant to get along. Sometimes personalities clash. There's no point in forcing it. Plus, you both are doing well now." Asher didn't respond but sighed heavily.

Elara's wedding invitation hadn't included him. He had wanted to stay away out of spite but couldn't resist attending.

Now, seeing her cold and distant demeanor, he felt an inexplicable ache.

He couldn't quite understand why, but something about the way things had ended between him and Elara felt profoundly wrong.

After the conversation with Barrett, Asher still didn't leave.

Ursa soon approached with the box of jewelry. "Mr. Blackwood, Miss Kensington asked me to return this to you."

Irritated, Asher muttered, "I've already given it to her. Whether she keeps it or not isn't my concern!"

Ursa replied calmly, "Miss Kensington said that if you don't take it, she'll send it to your wife. Surely you understand how awkward that would be."

Daphne would certainly be unhappy if she found out he had given such an extravagant gift to Elara.

Reluctantly, Asher took the box back, frowning.

He looked down at the bracelet inside. During the auction, he had thought it would suit Elara perfectly. He had even planned for it to be her wedding gift.

Now, after all the effort, she outright refused it and threatened to pass it to Daphne.

Holding the box tightly, Asher muttered to himself, "Does she hate me that much?"

Ursa did not reply and walked away.

Before Asher could leave, the wedding convoy arrived.

He stood aside, watching the cars adorned with ribbons pull up outside the Kensington family's estate.

3

Lysander stepped out, his suit perfectly coordinated with Elara's dress. Holding a bouquet, he adjusted his tie nervously.

Crispin, standing nearby, teased him, "Lysander, why are you soense?"

Usually, Lysander was the calm, composed type. He had faced all sorts of situations before.

However, he was, visibly anxious over his own wedding.

Lysander smoothed his suit jacket. "Is my outfit in order?"

Crispin replied, "It's fine. Perfect, even."

"And my hair?"

"Looks great too."

Asher observed the exchange, unimpressed. He couldn't understand why Lysander was so anxious.

When he had married Daphne, he hadn't felt a shred of anxiety.

Soon, it was time. Lysander entered the house,

Elara waited for him upstairs.

The Kensington family's estate was lively, filled with the hustle and bustle of the wedding.

Elara and Lysander stood before Barrett, thanking him with warm embraces and heartfelt words before stepping outside together.

Lysander lifted Elara into his arms and carried her to the car. Asher stood at a distance, his hands clenched tightly as he watched the scene unfold.

It was just a wedding, an event he had been through himself.

But seeing them together, a surge of unexplainable jealousy gripped him.

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