I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 65

Lily had been terrified at first, but she never imagined her mother was such a badass.

Her little heart soared as she watched her mom beat those huge men into submission, clapping her hands until they were red.

"Mommy is amazing! Mommy is a superhero!"

Through the half-open window, Hayden stared at his elite security team, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Colin wiped his sweaty forehead, feeling immense relief.

He wasn't the only useless one after all.

"Mr. Thorne, should we...?"

He trailed off as Hayden's fists clenched so hard his knuckles popped.

"A bunch of useless idiots. They can't even handle one woman."

Colin slid back into the driver's seat, muttering under his breath.

'Why don't you go handle her then?'

He had heard from the maids at the estate that Mrs. Thorne had literally taken Mr. Thorne down during dinner.

Who knew she was a trained fighter?

Hayden discreetly rotated his left wrist. He had only realized it when he left the estate.

That move Zoe pulled on him.

She had actually dislocated his wrist.

Back at Blackwood Manor, Hayden waited two agonizing hours before the mother and daughter finally walked through the door.

Zoe was carrying a massive stuffed animal, while Lily trailed behind her, clutching a bag packed full of toys.

"Mommy is the best! Mommy beats up the bad guys. She beat up Daddy and those scary men..."

Hayden sat on the living room sofa, glaring at them as Lily's words echoed crystal clear in the quiet room.

Lily's skipping steps instantly halted the moment she spotted him.

She quickly darted behind Zoe, though she didn't look quite as terrified as before.

Her mommy was amazing. Her mommy could beat up the bad guys.

Lily's dark eyes shifted. The old, cautious fear was gone, replaced by a tiny glint of defiance.

His towering silhouette stretched across the wall, radiating a suffocating dominance.

"I want to talk about Lily."

Zoe didn't stand on ceremony, casually dropping onto the edge of his massive bed out of sheer habit.

They met each other's eyes, locked in a silent standoff.

If Hayden wanted to play intimidation games, she could dish it right back.

She wasn't afraid of him.

"I recall telling you that eating out isn't healthy. She's a child; her immune system and development are highly fragile."

Hearing his genuine concern for their daughter, the bitter rage Zoe had carried from the estate finally began to fade.

So this was what he wanted to discuss. Suddenly, she felt a little bad for holding a grudge over him protecting Holden.

Holden was spoiled rotten by Sienna, but Charles was dead.

Any fatherless child would receive extra pity and pampering from their family, let alone the ultra-wealthy Thornes.

Holden was Charles's only child, so it was natural for the family to show him favoritism.