I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 279

Hayden slowly pulled his gaze away from Lily.

He wanted to brush off her childish remark.

But the phrase 'Mr. Garrett will help me' made the veins on the back of his hand bulge as he gripped his phone.

"Since I made you a promise, I'm not going to break it. I keep my word."

He practically gritted the words out through his teeth.

Who did Garrett Stone think he was, trying to steal his daughter?

"Hmph—"

Lily just huffed through her nose.

She didn't put any stock in Hayden's promises.

Hayden brought Lily back to Blackwood Manor.

Mrs. Gable looked surprised when she saw Hayden walk through the door with the little girl.

Just earlier, the boss had stood by and watched his wife get taken away by the police without so much as batting an eye.

How had he suddenly brought Lily back, looking like a doting father?

Not that Lily seemed to appreciate it; she was clearly sulking.

Her little face was etched with sheer dissatisfaction.

"Bring some snacks up to her room."

Hayden swapped his suit for comfortable loungewear.

He followed Lily to her room, but just as he was about to step inside, Lily widened her big, adorable eyes and pouted.

"Daddy, why didn't you knock?"

"..."

Hayden collected himself and reached out.

He knocked lightly on Lily's door three times before she responded with total seriousness.

"Come in."

Hayden stepped inside, glancing around. He realized her room was decorated with incredible warmth.

A framed photo of her and Zoe sat on the nightstand.

More photos of the two of them lined the bookshelf.

From age one to four, there was a picture for almost every year.

But it was only ever the mother and daughter.

He wasn't in a single one.

He walked over, about to pick one up, but Lily grew visibly upset.

"Daddy, can you please not go through my things? It's not polite."

Hayden pulled his hand back.

Suddenly, he asked.

"Did Mom take you to get all these taken?"

Lily offered a dismissive "Mhm."

"Mom said she wants to take photos of me every year so I can see myself growing up."

Lily paused, then tilted her head to look at him.

"You take a lot of pictures with the boy from Ms. Winters' house too, don't you?"

Hayden pressed his lips together, offering no reply.

Lily set the puzzle out on the play mat. Hayden quickly realized his daughter was incredibly bright.

She was finding the pieces for sections he hadn't even processed yet.

As she snapped pieces together, she giggled at him.

"Daddy, you're a little bit slow, but that's okay. I can teach you."

He had always assumed he lacked the patience to play with children.

He never expected a simple puzzle would keep him glued to the floor for an hour and a half.

By the time the final piece clicked into place, Lily had fallen asleep, resting her head on his leg.

Mrs. Gable jumped when she walked past Lily's room.

Seeing Lily asleep on the boss's lap was a genuinely shocking sight.

"Sir, let me take over and put her to bed."

Hayden glanced down at the little girl on his lap, gave a soft "Mhm," and stood up.

As he walked out, he answered Sienna's thirteenth phone call.

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