“No! That can not be,” I whispered to myself, but Aldrich heard it. He took a step closer, his eyes searching my face, and I met his gaze.

“Vincent has no reason to desire me. He never did before,” I said, shaking my head. I wanted to believe I was confused because I refused to fall for those foolish stories about people who let you go only to realize your worth later.

I was a nobody, just a poor girl who once thirsted for his love like my life depended on it. He always made it painfully clear that we were different. That I didn’t belong in his world. Even...