I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 670

"I already told you. Do you really want to watch Sylvia and her family drown in guilt over Ian? They aren't his biological grandparents; they shouldn't have to carry that heavy burden.

You might not blame them, but didn't you see how Sylvia was too terrified to even touch our son? Zoe, if you keep living with them, it's just a form of invisible emotional blackmail."

Zoe's expression faltered. She had previously resolved that nothing Hayden said would sway her.

But now, her resolve seemed to crack.

Hayden forced himself to stand up straight.

He couldn't bring himself to speak harshly to Zoe, so reasoning with her gently was perhaps a better strategy.

Zoe replied coldly, "That's an accurate analysis, Mr. Thorne. But... you're overthinking it. The Kendall family has been incredibly good to me, Ian, and Lily. A person has to be cursed to run into this kind of horrific bad luck over and over again.

If I really took Ian away now, that is when Sylvia and Mr. Kendall Sr. would truly be disappointed in me. You don't need to say another word. I'm not going back with you, and neither are Ian and Lily.

However, I won't strip you of your rights as their father. If you want to see them, let them know who you are, or take them out to play, I won't object—as long as I am present.

As for anything else, I advise you to drop the fantasy, Mr. Thorne. There is no Ian Thorne in this world, only Ian Kendall. Since he's on the Kendall family registry, he's a Kendall. Your Thorne family isn't exactly lacking in heirs anyway. There's no need for this."

Zoe's repeated rejections ignited a spark of anger in Hayden.

"Fine. Whatever happens from now on is none of my business."

Furious, he yanked the door open and stormed out without a backward glance.

Sylvia and her family, who had been waiting in the next room thinking the couple would talk for a long time, were stunned to see Hayden leave with a dark scowl after just a few minutes.

"Zoe? Whatever you decide, we support you. You don't need to worry about us."

Sylvia was actually terrified that Zoe might offend Hayden on their behalf.

In some respects, Hayden's power was undeniably awe-inspiring. Things the Kendall family couldn't achieve and people they couldn't mobilize, Hayden could handle with a single phone call.

That was an undeniable fact laid bare before them all. They cherished Zoe dearly, but... realizing that their family couldn't serve as an invincible shield for her family of three, it was time to advocate for Zoe's best interests.

"Don't worry. I would never let Ian go back to the Thorne family."

Garrett looked at her earnestly, his eyes full of sincerity. "No. I'm not telling you to go back to the Thorne family."

A wave of sorrow and grievance washed over Zoe, and her voice choked up.

When Ian was taken, she panicked.

When Hayden stepped in to help, she didn't dare let her pride get in the way.

Later, when he was rescued, she knew she had made the right call.

But going back to the Thorne family? She simply couldn't do it.

"I don't have any feelings for Hayden." She spoke the truth.

There had been a fleeting moment where she had fallen hard for him, but it paled in comparison to the chilling despair his past actions had inflicted upon her.

No woman could tolerate her husband loving another woman and someone else's child.