I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 121

Hayden Thorne sat in the police station until dawn.

Captain Briggs had hinted hours ago that he was free to go, yet the man remained planted in his seat like a statue.

The entire precinct was too terrified to leave. They all stayed behind, keeping Hayden company as he waited for his wife to pick him up.

Zoe Lynd had first gone back to Blackwood Manor to check on Lily, who was sound asleep in her room.

After that, she hit up a late-night food stall, grabbing a massive meal until she was completely stuffed, before finally taking her sweet time heading to the station.

Hayden had waited a full three hours before Zoe strolled in, looking completely indifferent and cold. His expression was so dark it could rival a thundercloud.

"Mrs. Thorne, please sign here."

Captain Briggs was sweating bullets.

This VIP could have left ages ago. It was obvious the couple had gotten into a fight, and because his wife hadn't shown up, Hayden simply refused to leave. He had practically drained the precinct's last stash of good coffee.

Captain Briggs didn't dare kick him out, so he forced his heavy eyelids open and made the entire squad stay on standby.

"Right here."

Seeing Zoe was like spotting a lifesaver. Captain Briggs hurriedly got her signature and handed Hayden over to her.

Colin Zachs had been dragged out of bed in the middle of the night to pick them up. The sheer terror of the situation had shocked him fully awake.

Once they got in the car, the cramped space fell dead silent. Neither of them spoke a word.

The heavy atmosphere made even Colin feel like he was suffocating.

When they arrived at the gates of Blackwood Manor, Zoe reached for the door handle, only to hear the sharp click of the locks engaging.

Colin had already slipped out of the driver's seat and caught a cab home.

"Mr. Thorne, you told me to bail you out, and I did. Is there anything else you need?"

For the first time, Zoe's temper was so fiery that she treated him like invisible air, despite being trapped in the same space.

Hayden knew she was still furious over the situation with Sienna Winters.

But he could tolerate any of her unreasonable tantrums, even her desperate attempts to grab his attention.

However, when it came to Sienna and her son, that was a responsibility he could never abandon in this lifetime.

Charles Thorne was his biological brother. Now that he was gone, Hayden naturally had to take care of his widow and child.

"About Sienna—"

Hayden cleared his throat.

Like a man possessed, he actually found himself explaining.

Like a devoted husband trying to prove his loyalty.

"Sleeping together."

Zoe only felt a wave of suffocating disgust churn in her stomach.

She pressed her hands against his chest, completely outraged.

"Hayden, don't flatter yourself. I couldn't care less about your messy affairs. Whoever you sleep with has nothing to do with me. You said it yourself—our marriage is purely contractual. There are no feelings involved, and no one is allowed to know you're my husband.

In the name of fairness, I expect you to uphold your end of the deal. Keep my name out of your public life. Today was the first and last time. If you ever get dragged into a police station again, do me a favor and call Sienna or whatever other woman you have on standby."

Being cut off and scolded made Hayden's temples throb with a dull ache.

Seeing her try to escape the car, he grabbed her by the waist, ignoring her struggles as he yanked her directly into his arms.

Zoe tried to kick him, using all her strength to push him away, but the cramped backseat gave her no room to maneuver.

Hayden pinned her wrists, letting out a dark scoff.

"Did you really think your amateur self-defense moves would work on me?"