For a fleeting moment, Anatoly considered bolting. Almost anything would be better than this. But even if he could have gotten past Lex, something he very much doubted was possible, he couldn't have lived with himself or consequences. He had loved Florence once, and she had moved heaven and earth for him as his second. She deserved better. She deserved the truth.

Hoping Lex would understand, he squeezed her hand gently then brought his free hand up to lightly caress her cheek. "Please understand that this isn't easy for me to explain. I don't even know how to begin."

He paused for a moment, gently dislodging his hand. He glanced over at Lex for a moment, seeking reassurance in his presence. If only there was another way... but there was none, nothing he could see.

"I was acting strangely this morning. I need to tell you why. I was not... I was not expecting to wake up here. For the past year, I've been living on a desert island. Somehow, someway, I was brought back here. With Lex."

Even knowing it was the truth, he couldn't help but shudder. She was going to think he was crazy.