From the way she said it I could already tell she didn’t want the answer. Ash hadn’t told her about either of them, and now that she had the opportunity to find out, Lily didn’t want the truth. She was scared. “Kate was Ash’s girlfriend. She died a little over two years ago.”

“Did she fall off a cliff?” Lily whispered.

“Yes, she did, it was horrible.” This time, as I recounted the story of Kate’s death, she let out a little gasp. “God, it was awful,” I said. “He loved her so much. He was going to propose.”

Lily’s face turned white, all the color sliding from her cheeks. “He never told me about either of them. Why wouldn’t he share something so important?”

I pretended to consider her question, leaned in and whispered, “Ash is a complicated man with a difficult past. Talking about exes is difficult enough, but with Kate dying... I don’t know, maybe he didn’t want to tell you because the police suspected him of foul play.”

“What did you say?”

I sat back, put a hand to my chest, talking fast. “Oh, well...he was a suspect for a while, and that’s a lot to admit to someone, don’t you think? But don’t worry. They couldn’t prove anything.”

She blinked three times, and I could tell she was working hard to process what I’d implied. That was strike one. “I can’t believe it,” she said. “Why wouldn’t he... Why didn’t he...”

“I imagine this is a huge shock for you, and really hard to hear, especially with the amnesia and him not remembering you. At all.” I sighed heavily and crossed my arms, shaking my head. “I wish he’d told you about them. He really should have.”

“I...I thought I knew him. I thought he loved...” She stopped but I knew she wanted to say me. That was strike two. Another blow to her already crushed heart.

“It’s not easy for any of us...but can I ask, have you told the police about finding Ash?”

She shifted in her seat. “No, not yet.”

“I’d say it’s best if we don’t,” I said. “At least until he’s feeling a bit better.”

“I’m not sure—”

“Just for a while, please. What my brother needs right now is space and rest, not to be hauled in for questioning about why he was living under a false identity. Let’s not do that to him. I’m sure you understand he’s completely overwhelmed. Before he went out, he told me he needs a break.”

Her eyes flashed. “From me?”

I paused for a while before answering. “I’m sure that’s not what he meant...”