All Chapters of The Night Before I Knew Him: Chapter 171 - Chapter 180

JuneMy fist tightens at my side as I watch Hermes’s eyelids flutter open, slow, uncertain. My chest tightens. This is it. Game time.I glance at Ted. He gives me a subtle nod, then stands beside me, his hands hovering over my waist like a protective shield—or maybe a calming pill. I swallow hard, trying not to betray the storm of panic inside me."Huh—" Hermes mutters, his voice rough and disoriented. "Where am I?"My stomach knots. His brain has clearly done a full reset. All the memories I worked so hard to tease back… gone. And somehow, it feels like it’s my fault.Ted steps forward, firm but gentle. "Hey, buddy," he says, leaving my side and moving toward Hermes’s bed. His voice is calm, reassuring."Ted… what happened?" Hermes struggles to sit up, confusion and exhaustion written on his face.I feel a tear slip, unbidden, and quickly swipe it away before he can see. My chest aches. How did it get this bad? He’s worse than I feared. Completely reset. I should have paced myself. I

JuneSong recommendation: Heaven- GalleuxA line of tears slips down my cheek as I slowly shut my eyes.A tear of relief—something I never thought I’d feel. He remembers me.Not as everything I once was to him, but as this version. His office secret affair.At least he remembers."Can I kiss you again?" he asks, voice trembling with something both familiar and foreign.I can’t answer. I just stand there—frozen—until his lips brush mine.His lips touch mine like a memory breaking through water—soft at first, almost hesitant, as if he’s afraid one wrong move will make me disappear again.My breath catches.Because this isn’t the kiss of a stranger.It’s the kiss of a man who once knew exactly how I tasted.Hermes leans in slowly, his fingers brushing the side of my jaw, and even that tiny touch sends a shiver racing down my spine. His hand feels warm… and my body has been waiting for it, even while my mind kept screaming at me to keep my act up. The distance between us dissolves.His n

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

~Hermes~Song recommendation: YAD– Vannna Ranielle.Her gaze lifts.I watch the way her eyes widen, the way color crawls up her neck and settles on her cheeks.That look—God—that look alone is enough to rip the restraint out of me.She shouldn’t look at me like that.Not when I’m this close.Not when I’m already fighting myself.I brace both hands on the cabinet above her head, gripping the edges because I need something to hold onto before I reach for her instead.“What?” she stutters, dropping her gaze. “I’m not… thinking about—”She stops.Her eyes are no longer on my face. They’re on my trousers.I follow her stare downwards and inhale sharply, jaw tightening.Of course she can see it.I’m hard—too hard—and there’s no hiding it when the damn hospital pajamas cling to everything.I shut my eyes and shift away from her, trying to breathe through the heat hammering through my blood.“You should leave…”It comes out rougher than I want.Almost pleading.She nods like she’s going to—th

JuneAfter making Hermes come undone in my hands and mouth, we slid down to the tiled floor together, backs against the fogged shower glass. My pulse was still thrumming, his breath still uneven. My head rested on his shoulder as he absentmindedly caressed my arm, his fingers warm, slow, almost… tender.I exhaled softly, letting the quiet settle.“You’re remembering things, Hermes.”I smiled to myself. “I’m glad.”He turned his head toward me, eyes narrowing like he was trying to puzzle out the full picture.“You started this, right?” he asked. “I refused at first but—”I lifted my head from his shoulder, cutting gently in.“Yes. I did. And you agreed.”A small laugh escaped me. “I was so excited back then.”Hermes let out a low chuckle — smug, irresistible, and absolutely on brand.“I know I have that effect on people.”He shrugged, running a hand through his damp hair like he deserved applause.I snorted — loud, unfiltered, amused.Of course he had that effect on me. Back then I pra