Chapter 172. Natalya

June POV

My 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