I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 103

Zoe heard the distinct click of a key turning in the lock.

She had just rubbed some lotion into her hands when she turned to see Hayden walking in.

Zoe's expression instantly froze.

"This is my room. Why are you coming in here?"

Hayden stared back, deadpan. "This is my house."

He was flanked by two massive, hulking bodyguards.

The metallic flick of Hayden's lighter echoed sharply in the room.

He lit the cigarette resting between his lips and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke.

The two bodyguards stepped forward, each grabbing one of Zoe's arms in an iron grip.

Zoe's blood ran cold.

Again?

Hadn't the last group of thugs he hired learned their lesson?

But this time, no matter how hard she twisted, she couldn't break free from their vice-like hold.

"Hayden, what the hell are you doing?"

Hayden's eyes were dangerously dark, practically dripping with venom.

"I know you can fight, but—"

These two were highly trained mercenaries he had brought back from overseas, men with countless real combat deployments under their belts.

They were entirely in a different league compared to the previous guards.

"Drag her out to the yard. She stands in the storm for two full hours."

Unable to break their grip, Zoe finally snapped.

"Hayden, you absolute bastard!"

Hayden whipped three sheets of A4 paper directly into Zoe's face.

"Your five-thousand-word letter of commitment. You wrote it yourself. You promised never to disrespect Sienna again."

The papers fluttered to the floor at Zoe's feet.

Hayden looked at her with pure ice.

"Her son is my late brother's only child. She is a widow—"

Zoe let out a harsh laugh, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Bullshit. Hayden, she's your ex-girlfriend, and right now—"

Zoe paused, her chest tightening with an overwhelming sense of disgust and an inexplicable, dull ache.

"She's your mistress."

Hayden's eyes darkened to a terrifying pitch.

No one had ever dared to challenge his authority so blatantly.

"Take her out."

Coupled with a fresh nightmare where a monster had kidnapped her mother, she had woken up, grabbed her sleeping toy, and walked out without thinking.

Hayden's brow furrowed.

Seeing the sheer terror in Lily's eyes, the tight lines around his mouth softened slightly.

"Where's Mommy?"

She thought she had heard her mother's voice.

Hayden smoothly shifted his body, completely blocking Lily's view of the yard below.

Lily was still sobbing.

Her tiny body shook as she desperately swallowed her cries out of pure fear of the man standing in front of her.

Hayden didn't step toward her. His voice remained heavy.

"Mrs. Gable—"

Hearing Hayden call out, Mrs. Gable practically scrambled out of her bedroom.

She kept her head bowed, absolutely terrified to let her eyes wander to whatever nightmare was happening outside.

None of the staff dared to question what Mr. Thorne did.

Over the past five years, this house had seen its fair share of explosive drama.

These past two weeks had actually been the most peaceful stretch they'd ever had.

"Take her back to bed."