I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 698

The surrounding whispers made Zoe tense up, a tide of annoyance rising in her chest.

Some guests were thoroughly confused, some looked like they'd just experienced a revelation, and others were blatantly enjoying the drama, their eyes constantly darting toward the tall, impossibly elegant man standing by her side.

Hayden acted as if he didn't hear a thing. His arm remained lightly draped over Zoe's waist—a gentle but entirely unyielding grip.

His fingertips brushed the soft curve of her waist through the thin cotton of her dress. Feeling her body instantly lock up in resistance, a faint, deeply satisfied smirk flickered in his eyes.

Little Ian had just settled down in Zoe's arms. His tiny head rested softly against her shoulder, his long eyelashes brushing his cheeks, looking so sweet it could melt a heart of stone.

"Upstairs," Zoe muttered through clenched teeth.

Hayden's gaze instantly softened. The cold, aristocratic distance he projected toward the rest of the room vanished entirely, replaced by deep, overflowing devotion. He leaned in slightly, his movements impossibly careful so as not to wake the baby, and gently brushed a finger against little Ian's warm cheek. His voice was a low, tender murmur: "I'm coming with you two."

He had absolutely no intention of backing off. He stood tall and confident, a faint smile playing on his lips, playing the role of the flawless husband and devoted father to absolute perfection.

Garrett stood nearby, entirely helpless as he watched the scene unfold.

He knew exactly how Hayden operated. The man was a master at effortlessly asserting his dominance. He played the polite, humble guest to perfection, effectively trapping everyone in a corner where no one could find a single fault to kick him out.

Every member of the Kendall family knew Hayden was deliberately refusing to leave, aggressively sticking to Zoe, but they couldn't point out a single breach of etiquette.

"Mr. Thorne really adores his kids. A man that successful, rich, and young who is this attached to his wife? You don't see that every day."

"All those internet rumors about him and Sienna being tragically in love... they were trending all year. Now it looks like it was just media garbage. The ones he truly treasures are clearly Ms. Lynd and the children."

"I can't believe Mr. Thorne is her husband. She kept that incredibly quiet. With a man that successful, it's amazing she didn't flaunt him."

These murmurs drifted straight into Zoe's ears, making her skin crawl.

"Who's hiding who, exactly?"

She pressed her lips into a tight line, forcing down the surge of anger, and lowered her voice so only he could hear. "Hayden, enough."

What the hell was he trying to prove? Dragging this out just to make sure everyone knew he was a fiercely loving family man.

It was making Zoe look like the one who desperately wanted to keep him a secret.

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