I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 664

Later, as everyone came to understand each other's personalities, they learned to compromise. They realized that loving and being loved required tolerance, sacrifice, and a deep, multifaceted understanding.

It wasn't as simple as one plus one equaling two, like some mathematical formula.

Garrett felt a jolt of alarm. He glanced at Zoe and found himself instinctively stepping toward her. His mother's words had planted a seed of doubt in his own heart.

Anyone with half a brain knew exactly what Zoe was thinking.

Yara's tone remained as icy as ever. Her voice held no warmth, and her stance seemed to lean slightly in Hayden's favor.

"To some extent, Mr. Thorne isn't as despicable or evil as you imagine."

Garrett blurted out a response. It wasn't that he didn't trust Yara; rather, her defense of Hayden inexplicably sparked a wave of jealousy within him.

When Zoe stood against Hayden, Garrett had actually hoped the couple would reconcile.

In the past, he believed that loving someone meant letting them go. Knowing how much Zoe was hurting, he had even entertained the thought of playing matchmaker to bring her and Hayden back together.

But when the situation involved Yara, it left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Garrett thought he had experienced love at first sight with Zoe.

It was only after meeting Yara that he realized his feelings for Zoe were purely admiration and affection—a top-down sort of pity and a desire to protect, like a strong man shielding the weak.

For Yara, however, Garrett had real, raw desire. He wanted to strip away her icy exterior, explore her inner world, and figure out exactly what was going on in her head.

A man's true curiosity about a woman was the absolute beginning of real love.

His feelings for Zoe and his feelings for Yara were completely different.

The moment Yara offered half a word of praise for Hayden, Garrett felt an irrational urge to take Hayden out.

"Oh? And how do you know that?"

Whenever Garrett got jealous, his words turned sharp.

Tall and imposing, with facial features chiseled like a Greek god, Hayden radiated an unapproachable, commanding aura, especially when he was silent. The posture of an absolute alpha was on full display.

Women were drawn to power. The Thorne Enterprises' influence, wealth, and ranking on the billionaire list were all undeniably tempting.

The Kendall family was known for its strict upbringing. Garrett had been taught self-discipline and propriety from a young age. Even when he met a girl he liked, he rarely made the first move.

It wasn't arrogance; it was an innate respect for women and his own cultivated restraint. Could anyone really blame him?

Yet, in front of Yara, he had no idea what was wrong with him. He was stubbornly determined to tear down Hayden's image in her eyes.

"A long time. Probably longer than Ms. Lynd has known him."

Yara's use of 'Ms. Lynd' instead of 'Mrs. Thorne' made Garrett look at her with even more scrutiny.

His thoughts started twisting in the wrong direction.

"Oh? You and Mr. Thorne have that kind of history? Don't tell me you're one of his many female confidantes, Officer Quinn."