บททั้งหมดของ The Night Before I Knew Him: บทที่ 191 - บทที่ 200

~Hermes~With a satisfied sigh, I scooped June up in my arms, her naked body light and warm against mine, the linen sheet draped loosely over us as I carried her from the beach. The sand crunched under my feet, giving way to the cool grass of the path leading to the villa—her villa, the one I'd eyed for months, dreaming of buying it to whisk her away here. But she'd beaten me to it, that bold, independent streak of hers shining through, and damn if it didn't make me respect her even more. She nestled her head against my chest, her short blonde hair tickling my skin, as we slipped through the doors into the bedroom.“I’m hungry,” she mumbled, her voice soft and sleepy as I laid her gently on the king-sized bed, the sheets rumpled from our earlier haste.“Wait right here, sweetheart,” I said, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. “I’ll whip up something special.” I tugged on my pants, and headed downstairs to the kitchen, my mind racing with gratitude that we were here, together, afte

~Hermes~A low growl rumbled in my throat. I knelt in front of her, hands immediately covering her breasts, palms warm against her soft skin. I rolled her nipples gently between my thumbs and forefingers, watching her breath hitch, her back arching to push them harder into my touch.“Like this, wife?” I murmured, voice rough. I tugged lightly, then twisted—just enough to make her gasp—before soothing the sting with slow circles. Her nipples darkened under my attention, swelling even more, so sensitive from the pregnancy that every pinch drew a soft whimper from her lips.“Harder,” she breathed, eyes fluttering shut. “Make them ache for you.”I pinched sharper, rolling the tight buds firmly, pulling them away from her body until she moaned, head falling back. Then I leaned in, tongue flicking one stiff peak before sucking it deep into my mouth—hot, wet suction, teeth grazing just enough to make her tremble.I switched to the other, lavishing the same attention, alternating between gent

JuneMy hand twitches across the mattress.It's empty.June isn’t there.My eyes snap open.She said she was going to pee. Why wasn't she back?Cold crawls up my spine.Did something happen to her. Did she collapse in the bathroom?I’m out of bed before I even think, heart hammering like it knows something I don’t.“June. June, June—” I knock once, then shove the bathroom door open.Nothing.“June.”The room is empty. Sink dry. No light. No sound.Fuck.Calm down. Just—calm down.I stagger back into the bedroom, grab my phone off the table. Maybe she stepped outside. Maybe she told me and I slept through it.Why did I sleep that deep?I drag my hands down my face. My chest feels too tight.I haven’t slept like that in months. Not since I lost her. Not since everything broke. And now that she’s here again—now that she’s finally mine—she’s gone.I call her.No connection.We’re supposed to get married today.The thought hits me like a blow.Did she run?Does she not want this?Was I too

~Hermes~I thought the worst thing I’d ever done to her was leave.I was wrong.I stand in front of June—my woman, my fiancée, the mother of my child—and for the first time in my life, I realize something that makes my chest ache worse than the bullet ever did.I didn’t just lie to her.I trained her to doubt her own reality.Every time she asked what was wrong and I said nothing.Every time she felt something was off and I kissed it away.Every time she loved me harder while I was quietly preparing to disappear.I taught her that her instincts were wrong.That her fear was imaginary.That the distance she felt between us wasn’t real.And now she stands here shaking, pregnant, wounded by my father—but part of that wound… started with me.I see it in her eyes.Not anger.Not hatred.Something far worse.A woman who doesn’t feel safe trusting what she feels.Because the man she loved once looked into her eyes and lied while he was dying.I swallow.I had told myself I was protecting he

Song Recommendation: Young and Beautiful by Lana del Ray [Violin version] JuneI’m sitting in front of the mirror when Kayla asks it, her fingers gently pinning a loose curl into place.“Are you nervous?”I let out a slow breath and look at my own reflection.The woman staring back at me almost doesn’t feel real.The gown is simple, soft, and perfect, hugging my body in a way that makes my little bump look like a promise instead of a flaw. My hair is a bit longer now, styled in loose waves that fall over my shoulders. I look… happy. Fragile. Real.“I am,” I admit with a small laugh. “I’m getting married, Kayla. Of course I’m nervous. But I’m happy too.”The word happy tastes strange in my mouth—sweet, but edged with something deeper. Heavier. This is the moment. The one I never really allowed myself to dream of.I think of Natalya’s wedding dress, how I stood there pretending to be fine while my heart was breaking. I think of how Hermes had looked at me that day when he finally said