I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 58

"This is an incredible restorative. Hayden, you and Zoe have been married for five years and only have Lily. If you could give me another great-grandchild soon, my life would be complete."

The atmosphere at the table instantly shifted.

Especially for Sienna.

She had always assumed that by giving the family Holden, the old matriarch would view the boy as the sole great-grandson and true heir of the Thorne empire.

She never expected this.

The maid placed a bowl of deeply nourishing broth directly in front of Zoe.

Grandmother Thorne smiled. "Of course, for maximum effect, both of you need to partake. Drink it while it's hot, you two."

Driven by some twisted psychology, Sylvia couldn't stop herself from interjecting.

"Hayden is carrying the entire weight of the corporate empire on his shoulders. He doesn't have the time or energy for these things. Grandmother, we already have Holden. All Hayden needs to do is run the business and raise the boy, and the Thorne legacy is secure."

Grandmother Thorne's face hardened; she absolutely despised hearing that.

"Our family commands a massive empire. Zoe is young. What's wrong with them having a few more children? It's not like we can't afford it. You just said yourself that Hayden is the only male heir in his generation and bears a heavy burden. If he'd put in the effort and give me a few more great-grandsons, the future of the Thorne family wouldn't have to rest entirely on Holden's shoulders."

Under the table, Sienna dug her nails into her own palms until it hurt, fighting the suffocating wave of despair.

Zoe's face burned crimson, while Hayden simply picked up his glass, silently taking a sip of wine. He showed zero intention of disagreeing with his grandmother.

Sienna bit her lip, a faint mist gathering in her eyes.

She thought Hayden would at least say something to refuse the old woman, but he was tacitly agreeing.

"Grandmother, I already have Lily. I'm not planning on having any more."

Zoe blurted out, shocking the table. The darkest expression didn't belong to the matriarch, but to Hayden.

His predatory gaze locked onto Zoe, who remained blissfully unaware that she was dancing on the edge of a cliff.

Hunter, sitting nearby, let out an inexplicable sigh of relief.

"Grandmother, today is about Hunter bringing his girlfriend to meet the family. Why are we talking about Hayden?"

Zoe couldn't help but look at Zoey, a wave of disorientation hitting her.

Years ago, she had been just as innocent and wide-eyed. Just like Zoey was now.

And Hunter had utterly spoiled her.

So why... why had she chosen to marry Hayden?

"Since it's Grandmother's gesture, you should drink it."

Hayden completely ignored Hunter, pushing the bowl of restorative broth directly in front of Zoe.

"..."

The Thorne relatives, especially Sienna, stared so hard they practically burned holes into Zoe.

What the hell was Hayden playing at?