After Death, Love Unveiled (Elara and Lysander)

Chapter 203

Elara initially wanted to mock her. After all, in her previous life, Daphne had done the same to her. But now, seeing Daphne looking so utterly defeated, Elara found herself unable to say anything harsh.

If Daphne had still been her old self, Elara could have retorted easily, but now she decided to let it go. She didn't bother arguing with someone like this.

Daphne glanced at Elara and then at the untouched dishes on her table. "If you're not eating that, can I have it?"

Seeing how pitiful she looked, Elara replied, "Go ahead."

Daphne took the plate eagerly. "Thanks." Her tone was soft and feeble as she spoke.

Elara chuckled lightly. "Are you really that desperate? You look like you haven't eaten in days."

Pressing her lips together, Daphne responded, "I'm working as a receptionist at Asher's company now. The pay's not much and with rent and everything.

"You know how expensive housing in Starfield City is. I can't even afford to eat out most of the time."

Elara had imagined that without her, Daphne would struggle. But she hadn't expected this.

After all, Daphne had graduated from Queensun University. Elara didn't expect her to be a receptionist.

Elara asked, "Didn't you major in finance?"

Daphne let out a helpless sigh. "You know I can't find a job. Jacqueline hates me to the core. The moment I make a move, she's on my case."

There had been a chance with Marcus, but after that incident where she was thrown out, she had returned to Brookfield, and Ba lot had happened to her since then.

Elara remarked, "Well, you brought this on yourself."

Daphne didn't argue. "Yes, I did. Back then, I was young and envious of you. Seeing you with Lysander, I thought to myself if only I could be like her.

"So when people said he was my boyfriend, I didn't deny it. I never imagined it would cause so much trouble."

"At least you're capable of self-reflection now," Elara said.

Daphne looked at Elara with misty eyes. "I've never had much growing up. My parents were just laborers, and I kept telling myself that one day when I had money, I'd make something of myself. "But Elara, this world is so harsh to people like me. Who wouldn't want to be like you? Born with everything?"

Her voice became almost inaudible by the end, and it seemed as if she might start crying at any moment.

Elara's expression remained cold. "You've had plenty of opportunities, but your heart was never in the right place. You were the one who provoked me first; I only fought back."

If Daphne hadn't targeted her, Elara wouldn't have exposed her lies to the Hawthorne family.

Even though they had treated her cruelly in her time travel, now they hadn't done anything to her yet. But Daphne had deliberately tried to harm her.

Daphne nodded, her voice trembling. "You're right; it's my fault. I'm sorry. I apologize."

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10:31 Fri, Nov 29

Chapter 203

1. BG.

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Elara could imagine that if Daphne were doing better than her right now, she wouldn't be acting this way at all. But she really did look pitiful.

It wasn't that Daphne had changed; it was her current situation that forced her to bow and scrape in front of others. After they finished eating, the server brought the bill.

Daphne offered. "Let me get it." She picked up her phone, ready to scan the code, but after fumbling for a while, she still couldn't get it to work.

Watching her struggle, Elara sighed and paid the bill herself. As they left the restaurant, Daphne glanced at Elara, who was standing gracefully by her side, radiating an air of nobility like a princess.

In contrast, Daphne felt like a Cinderella in rags. She lowered her head and looked down at herself. Daphne was overwhelmed by a wave of inferiority as she stood there, watching Elara. Elara turned to Daphne. "Alright, I'm leaving."

"Elara." Just as Elara was about to get into the car, Daphne called out to her. Elara paused and glanced back at her.

Daphne hesitated before asking, "Do you think that if Asher had never been in the picture, we could have been good friends?"

Elara shook her head. "No."

"Why not?" she asked.

"Because we're not the same kind of people," Elara replied.

To Daphne, Elara's answer was harsh but true. She wasn't the kind of person who would make friends with someone unless it was beneficial to her. Daphne would never have been her friend

Elara opened the door and got into the car. Daphne took the subway home. When she arrived, she noticed Asher's car parked downstairs.

Seeing Lysander there, Daphne froze for a moment, but then she mustered the courage to walk up to Asher. "Mr. Blackwood, what brings you here?"

The title felt awkward, and it was clear to Asher that she was uncomfortable. He scanned her with cold eyes. "Did you go to the hospital?"

"Yes," Daphne answered. "I burned my hand with coffee, so I went to get it checked. I'm sorry for upsetting your girlfriend today."

Asher scoffed, his eyes narrowing as he studied her pitiful demeanor. "You know, my girlfriend is the daughter of Skyhope Group, right?" Daphne nodded. "Yes."

Skyhope Group was a major corporation with branches even in Brookfield, including malls and hotels.

Daphne softly said, "Congratulations. You really seem to be doing well without me."

"Of course," Asher replied with a cold smirk. "I should actually thank you. If you hadn't forced me to lose the baby, I wouldn't be able to be with my girlfriend now."

Despite all these years, Asher still held deep resentment for her. For so long, Daphne had been the one he loved most.

It was because of her that he had alienated Elara. But in the end, she had callously aborted their child, deeming him unworthy of a future. Now, seeing her downfall brought him a twisted sense of satisfaction.

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Chapter 203

Daphne lowered her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "I had the abortion because the doctor said my health couldn't handle carrying the baby. You know I've always been fragile.

"I didn't want to drag you down, Asher. Please don't hate me. It's bine if you do, but I don't want you to keep resenting me over that."

"You're really good at making excuses." Asher sneered.

Daphne's pitiful act was starting to irritate him. She was always like this, always so dramatic, always playing the victim.

"I'm telling the truth," Daphne insisted. "Actually, it might have been for the best that the baby wasn't born. If it had, we'd be like you and Ms. Balslev now, and your child wouldn't end up like us."

"That's enough!" Asher interrupted sharply. "Don't say any more Just the thought of their past made him feel sick.

No matter how successful he was now, how much money he had, it would never erase the disgust he felt toward what had happened back then. That was the moment he realized he could never go back to who he used to be. He could make himself rich, but he'd never be the man he once was. At least then, he had a bit of self-respect.

But now, all he cared about was money. If he had money, everything else was secondary.

Daphne, hearing his sharp tone, asked, "Did you come all the way here just to yell at me?"

Asher glared at her. "Of course, I came to see how miserable you've become."

"Have you eaten? I could cook you a plate of pasta," Daphne offered, trying to maintain some semblance of politeness.

Asher snorted. "I have servants at home. Why would I need you to cook for me?"

"Are you happy now?" Daphne asked, locking eyes with him as she delivered the cruel question.