LYDIA'S POV

　　He raised an eyebrow, giving me a sly smile. "Alone? That's a shame. I was hoping to buy you another drink."

　　I hesitated, torn between the desire to drown my sorrows in solitude and the unexpected distraction this stranger offered. "And why would you want to do that?"

　　He leaned in closer, his gaze locking onto mine. "Because I believe a beautiful woman like you deserves to have a smile on her face, not a frown. And maybe, just maybe, I'd like to be the one to make that happen."

　　I couldn't help but feel a small smile tug at the corners of my lips despite myself. "You think you can make me smile?"

　　He grinned, clearly pleased with my reaction. "I'm willing to give it my best shot. What do you say? Another drink, and if I can't make you smile, I'll leave you alone for the rest of the night."

　　I considered his offer, my curiosity piqued. There was something disarming about his confidence, and the idea of a distraction, even a fleeting one, was tempting. "Alright, one more drink. But don't get your hopes up."

　　He signaled the bartender, ordering another round for us both. As the bartender set the drinks down, the stranger raised his glass to me. "To new friends and unexpected smiles."

　　I clinked my glass against his, feeling a bit of my earlier tension start to melt away. "To unexpected distractions," I countered, taking a sip of my drink.

　　The stranger leaned in closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "So, what's a lovely lady like you doing in a place like this all alone?"

　　I shook my head, feeling a strange mix of amusement and exasperation. "Trying to forget, if you must know."

　　"Then I suppose it's my job to help you with that," he said, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone. "Tell me, what would it take to make you forget?"

　　I looked at him, caught off guard by his directness and the intensity of his gaze. Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was the need to escape, but for the first time that night, I felt a flicker of something other than pain. "I'm not sure. But I guess I'll find out, won't I?"

　　He smiled, a genuine, warm smile that reached his eyes. "I guess you will."

　　Oh, I did find out. I guess I discovered more than I imagined. A wild night out with a total stranger was exactly what I needed. I know that it's cheating, but I have already decided to reject them, so I guess it doesn't matter anymore.

　　As we left the tavern together, his arm around my waist, I didn't feel the usual guilt or second-guessing.

　　The night was a blur of laughter, whispered secrets, and the sensation of being desired without the weight of past mistakes. He was a perfect stranger, and that was exactly what I needed.

　　Somehow, in our drunken state, we ended up in a room and the rest of the night was full of passion.

　　He tossed me unceremoniously on the bed quickly removed his blazer and straddled me. I was scared but excited. He cupped my hands and slammed them over my head. He bent his head down to my neck and started peppering hot kisses. I moaned out loudly.

　　His hands left mine and started travelling down my body. I started squirming like a virgin bride as his hands caressed the outlines of my br**sts, stomach and my a$$.

　　He unzipped my zip and started peeling it down my shoulder to my waist. I held my breath in anticipation.

　　"F*ck! You are so beautiful! I wanted to take this slow but I can't." He groaned loudly as his lips descended on mine again. He kissed me roughly with passion and lust. He squeezed my br**sts which made me gasp and he quickly shoved his tongue in my mouth and started exploring it. I tried to match up with his pace but he was too darn good with it. He deepened the kiss when I felt my dress being bunched up to my waist and his hand massaging my inner thigh.

　　He quickly unbuckled his belt and removed his pants.

　　"I am going to f*ck you so good! You're mine now. All. Mine." He muttered. He rested his hand near my head and quickly thrust in. I cried out loudly. As soon as I felt myself relaxing around him, he increased his tempo and pounded inside me furiously. I let out a loud scream of pleasure as he took me. My hands went around his shoulder and clung on to them as I took in his thrusts. He let out an animalistic groan as he nailed me faster and more vigorously. My nails started scratching his back as I felt something building inside me. Soon I burst and experienced an earth-shattering orga*m. I screamed out loudly as I came back from my high.

　　Before I could react he turned me around and thrusted in again. He held my a$$ as he rammed his member into me groaning loudly. I could feel that he was close as he continued pounding as he massaged my breasts. I felt pleasure building up in me as I clenched my teeth and grasped the sheets tightly as we came together. He fell on top of me and groaned loudly near my throat.

　　The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. I woke up with a pounding headache, the events of the previous night swirling in a haze. Guilt gnawed at me as I recalled the stranger's touch and the freedom I had briefly tasted. I couldn't believe I had been so reckless.

　　Desperate to escape the remnants of my impulsive decisions, I quickly dressed and left the room, my heart racing as I headed back to the palace. Each step felt heavier, my actions pressing down on me. I needed to clear my head, to figure out what to do next.

　　But as I reached for the handle, the door swung open, and I froze.

　　Standing in the doorway, looking equally dishevelled and shocked, was Evan. His eyes widened as he saw me, and my heart sank.

　　"Lydia," he whispered, his voice filled with a mixture of surprise and something else I couldn't quite place.