ARIA
For the rest of the day, I feel like a walking bruise, and at home, things aren't better because now, I have Cassandra asking me how things are going with Ryder when Uncle Barty isn't looking, and I definitely don't want to share all my exhausting, conflicted emotions with her.
If I'm a pain to myself, I can't imagine what I must sound like to other people.
"There's no progress," I whisper to her before shaking my head. "He's going to marry someone else. I don't see the point of this."
Cassandra says nothing for a long time. I'm not sure what she's discussed with my uncle or if he told her anything. If so, she certainly doesn't share it with me.
"You don't sound happy about any of this."
I shrug. "It's how it is. My feelings don't matter."
"Of course, they do."
"No, Cassan
