Tonia's POV
The world seemed to freeze around me as Lucien's words sank in. My mind reeled, struggling to process what I had just heard.
I shook my head frantically, my gaze following the path Solace had taken moments before. "No, you must be wrong, Lucien. Maybe you're confused about the timing or—"
"I could forget my own name before I'd forget Alivia or those nights we spent together. We met in mid-June. Does that date sound too specific to be a mistake?"
Lucien exhaled heavily, his fingers raking through his dark hair. "When I was stationed overseas, I encountered her in Valdris. Pure coincidence really. We were staying at the same hotel. I was nursing a drink in the lounge when she approached me. She initiated the conversation, and I was lonely enough to engage. Before I knew it, we ended up in my room together."
My hand flew to cover my mouth, my eyes widening in shock. "You two actually slept together?"
