Chapter 129. Hermes, Are You Okay

Hermes POV

The night air was sharp against my skin as I leaned against the balcony railing, dragging smoke from the cigarette between my fingers. I knew I had promised Ted I’d quit. Hell, I did promise. But if I didn’t take this hit, my head might just explode with the chaos rattling around inside it.

“And you’re going to regret letting me go.”

June’s words echoed, relentless, teasing at the corners of my mind. Regret? I was already regretting it. Every damn day since I left her at the roadside, since she reminded me how easily my life could feel hollow, compared to even when I was in the hospital, I felt this emptiness gnawing at me.

I don’t want her to find someone else. The thought alone twists my gut. I can’t—I won’t—stand the sight of another man with her. I want to be selfish. But life isn’t that simple. Life never is, especially not with Natalya suddenly injected into the mix.

I wish I could pull back from this entire charade my father orc