Chapter 178 A small sacrifice to pay
June
My eyes widen the moment I hear Hermes speak.
The words echo inside me like a bell struck too hard.
After our one-night stand.
The one-night stand.
He remembers the beginning.
He remembers how we met.
Excitedly, I shoot to my feet, ignoring the ache in my wrist—the same wrist I bruised when I accidentally slammed it against Hermes’s room window earlier.
"Hermes, what did you just say?" I ask, chest heaving. It’s too good to be true. It’s working. Our plan is actually working. He’s remembering.
Hermes inhales sharply. "What? He doesn’t know about our one-night stand? I’m pretty sure he knows. I must have told him." He shrugs, looking almost guilty.
I grin, eyes creasing as I grab his hands. "What do you remember again? Tell me more," I urge, nodding eagerly.
Hermes looks taken aback, shifting away slightly. "Uh—I found out you were my secretary and—and… I acted like I didn’t know you. That’s why you’re with him, right? Is this revenge?"
My smile slowly drops.
He doesn’t remember everything.
What is this?
God… is this some kind of cruel joke?
Why can’t he just remember everything?
I scream internally.
"Am I right?" Hermes asks, yanking his hand away. "Well, I’m sorry. I have my—"
Ted cuts in immediately. "Babe, let’s go talk outside."
My head snaps toward Ted, stunned. He’s playing into the ruse way too well.
I turn back to Hermes, who looks like he’s about to explode.
"Y–yes, babe…" I mutter, confused. This is progress, right? Why does Ted look annoyed instead of thrilled?
Ted gently grabs my hand and starts guiding me toward the door—until Hermes steps in front of us, blocking the way. I’m stuck between them, literally.
"Why don’t you say what you want to say here?" Hermes says, grabbing my wrist—the sprained one.
A small whine escapes me before I can stop it, but I don’t say anything.
"Why?" Ted snaps back. "I want a private conversation with my girlfriend. Is it illegal?"
"Well, she’s my secretary," Hermes fires, eyes locked with Ted’s. "And I need her. Now."
The two of them stare each other down, heat rising, the silence sharp and dangerous.
And me, in the middle…
I can feel the tension wrapping around all three of us like a noose.
The tension thickens so much I can practically feel it press against my skin.
"You aren’t supposed to be dating her?" Hermes growls, his grip on my wrist tightening just enough to sting.
I bite my lip, swallowing the small flare of pain. I don’t dare react—not with both of them locked in this ridiculous dominance match over me.
Ted scoffs, rolling his eyes. "Why? Because she’s your secretary?" He shrugs with exaggerated casualness. "Well, you’re gonna need a little bit more connection than that. Because she’s quitting."
My eyes shoot open.
Quitting?
Quitting?!
What the actual fuck—when did we ever discuss that?
"Ted…" I hiss under my breath, staring up at him, brows raised in disbelief.
Hermes’s voice cuts through, sharp and low. "Is it true?"
He lifts my hand to inspect it.
"Ouch—" The sound escapes me before I can stop it.
Ted snaps instantly, "You’re hurting her."
He pulls me back toward him protectively.
Hermes jerks his hand away like he’s been burned—like the realization hits him too late.
"I—I’m sorry…" he whispers, breath uneven.
And then he turns and bolts out of the office.
The door slams shut behind him with a loud thud that echoes through the room.
I stand there frozen for a moment before spinning to Ted, confusion bubbling over.
"What was that, Ted?" I demand, pointing at the door he just stormed through.
Ted sighs heavily, his eyes dropping to my wrist. "Let me check that again."
I yank my hand out of his reach, desperation tightening my voice. "Answer me, Ted. What was that? He literally remembers our beginning. He didn’t before. Didn’t you hear him speak?"
Ted lowers his gaze and sinks into the chair. His calmness makes me want to scream.
"I heard him," he says evenly. "That’s why you must not let your guard down now."
My brows pinch together. "I’m sorry—make me understand why I shouldn’t hug him and thank him for remembering that part. I know he doesn’t remember everything, but it’s coming slowly."
"And what caused it, June?" Ted cuts in sharply. "What triggered that memory?"
He tilts his head, lips lifting into a knowing smile.
My mouth opens, but nothing comes out.
Wait.
Wait—
Our ruse? Our fake dating ruse trigger this?
The fake dating. The jealousy. The confrontation.
That’s what triggered it.
My jaw drops. "Oh my God, Ted. That’s why you continued playing. You need him to be triggered more, right?"
Ted nods slowly. "That was progress. And right now, you can’t hug him. You don’t have time for that. Let’s get Hermes to remember everything."
He extends his hand.
I stare at it.
Finally understanding.
Finally seeing the full picture.
I nod and clasp his hand eagerly. There was hope—real hope.
Just one more play.
One more push.
He might get it all back.
"Now…" Ted says, taking my wrist again, "let’s check this. Hermes is too rough, though." He clicks his tongue as I sit down.
"But…" I whisper, a sudden ache forming in my chest, "he’s hurting though. I don’t want him hurting…" My teeth sink into my lip, emotions tangling painfully inside me.
Ted wraps the bandage gently around my wrist. "Don’t worry. It’s a small sacrifice to pay. And he won’t remember any of this. These memories sometimes override each other. Hermes is a man. He can handle a little jealousy."
I nod slowly, but my certainty wavers.
Where did Hermes go?
He left so quickly… too quickly.
I couldn’t shake the image of his face—the hurt, the confusion, the guilt.
I was going to check on him.