Aria's POV
I shook my head. "No."
"Because he already had someone."
My brows drew together. "What?"
"There has always been someone." She laughed bitterly again. "I spent years thinking that one day he'd finally notice me." Her smile turned painfully self-deprecating. "He never did." She looked at Ryder. "You never even saw me."
Ryder lowered his gaze. "I'm sorry."
"I don't want your apology." She turned back to me. "The woman he loved disappeared years ago. He searched for her. He refused every serious relationship because of her."
My heartbeat slowed. Disappeared?
Lilith continued, "Yes. He claimed he was already betrothed to her. He kept an old bracelet and a faded photograph. He carried them everywhere."
Lydia suddenly became very still. Aria... could it be?
I spoke carefully.
