I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 444

She hadn't expected Hayden to actually agree. It was a complete shock.

She had been dreading another endless, drawn-out confrontation, but it had gone through so smoothly. Assuming Garrett had worked some kind of magic, she looked at him with profound gratitude.

“Thank you, Garrett.”

Seeing the raw sincerity in her eyes, Garrett couldn't help but smile.

“A divorce isn't exactly something to celebrate. I shouldn't have helped you, let alone accept your thanks. With Hayden's status, you would have had incredible opportunities under his protection.

Not just anyone can carry the title of Military Spouse. And his actual rank is far more staggering than we ever imagined.”

If Hayden hadn't been so shamelessly entangled with Sienna, Garrett wouldn't have wanted to see their marriage end either.

But love couldn't be forced. Acting as her older brother, he just wanted her to be happy, not constantly manipulated and controlled.

“You're overthinking it. I don't care about his background or his status. I can rely on myself.”

She gently rested a hand over her belly, where a tiny life was quietly growing.

The only memories she possessed of her time with Hayden were devoid of happiness.

That toxic environment would be terrible for her baby.

“How do you think Lily will feel about this?”

Garrett asked.

Zoe wasn't worried. Raised in the Kendall household, Lily had grown into a bright, cheerful girl.

Garrett treated her like his own flesh and blood, effortlessly stepping into the father-figure role. It completely erased Hayden's absence in the little girl's life.

In the memories Zoe had inherited, Lily had once asked about Hayden. She wished she had a mom and a dad to protect her like the other kids.

But Hayden didn't deserve that honor.

“Lily has you.”

Zoe said, her voice brimming with absolute trust. Garrett paused, a twinge of guilt piercing his heart.

He wasn't the selfless godfather he pretended to be. Yet, her unreserved trust made his chest swell with happiness.

Suddenly, he regretted ever doubting his decision to help her.

Hayden’s deep voice held no hint of evasion.

“Yes.”

The response was an instant, explosive roar.

“Absolute nonsense! Do you think a man in your position can just divorce on a whim? Did you submit a formal request beforehand? Were you granted approval?

Do you have any idea of the consequences of an unauthorized divorce? Flagrant disregard for protocol and discipline! Do you know what kind of punishment you're facing?”

Hayden lightly pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Over the past five years, I submitted multiple applications to Command HQ. They all vanished into the void. I assumed this time—”

He thought this time would be exactly the same. He never expected the situation to suddenly flip, catching him entirely off guard.

The caller didn't care about his excuses.

“Your marriage to Officer Lynd is strictly protected by the state. Without following the proper channels and securing authorization from Command HQ, any private divorce proceedings—whether it's an agreement or an official certificate—are entirely null and void.”