I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 420

Hayden’s lips curved into a faint, cynical smile.

"What can I say? Some things are just out of my control."

Beatrice looked ready to reach over and strangle him.

After dinner, Zoe made a move to leave with Lily.

Immediately, Beatrice clutched her chest, groaning about heart palpitations. Left with no choice, Zoe agreed to stay the night.

She was placed in the same master bedroom she used to share with Hayden.

The moment he walked through the door, Zoe guarded herself as if he were a predator.

He scoffed, grabbed a towel, and walked straight into the bathroom.

When he stepped out, he was completely shirtless. Zoe pulled her gaze away from the jagged, terrifying scars covering his back, drawing in a sharp breath.

She had noticed before that his body was battered and bruised, but she had never considered that he might have another, far more dangerous identity.

"If you want to look, just look. You've seen it all before. You can touch it, too, if you want."

Hayden closed the distance between them, leaning over and trapping her within his overpowering masculine scent.

He smelled of fresh body wash. Zoe coldly lifted her leg, her foot pressing sharply against his abdomen to keep him at bay.

"Mr. Thorne, didn't you get enough of the hospital? Or do you just miss having someone hand-feed you soup?"

She was mocking Sienna’s bone broth deliveries. Back at the base, Zoe’s kick had nearly shattered his kneecap.

Remembering the agonizing pain from that day, Hayden frowned slightly. His hand shot out, gripping her ankle like a vise. With a swift, forceful tug, he flipped Zoe over and pinned her firmly against the mattress.

"Let go of me!"

The bastard only knew how to play dirty.

"You aren't the only one who knows how to launch a surprise attack."

He had been careless last time.

After ten minutes of extreme aerial maneuvers, a normal person wouldn't even have the strength to stand.

Yet Zoe had been completely unfazed. He had wanted to show her some mercy, feeling guilty for dragging her onto the jet just to force her into submission regarding their relationship.

Sienna and Holden were responsibilities he couldn't abandon. He couldn't compromise on that, but he was willing to give her whatever else she wanted.

A resounding slap echoed through the room. Five bright red finger marks blossomed across Hayden's cheek.

The temperature in Hayden's eyes dropped below freezing. Her reaction was incredibly extreme. The moment he showed even the slightest hint of intimacy, she turned into a defensive porcupine, ready to draw blood.

For the first time, he saw genuine disgust in her eyes, and it instantly killed his mood.

"Mom!"

A small knock on the door broke the heavy tension. It was Lily.

Hayden reached the door before Zoe and pulled it open, letting the little girl inside.

Lily was hugging a clear glass jar to her chest. "I want to fold paper stars. Can you help me?"

Zoe opened her mouth to reply, but Hayden effortlessly scooped the girl up into his arms.

"I'll help you. Your mom is tired. Let her rest."

Hayden carried Lily out of the room, finally leaving Zoe in peace.

She figured he definitely wouldn't be coming back tonight.