I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 161

Seeing her daughter return, Zoe ate dinner with her and spent some time playing together.

Hayden stayed with them the entire time, though he barely spoke a word.

During the quiet moments, his gaze would occasionally drift over the mother and daughter.

He looked deep in thought.

Zoe naturally kept her guard up around him.

For five years, Hayden had barely spent any time with them, and Lily wasn't close to him either.

Whether he was present or not made absolutely no difference.

After staying for less than ten minutes, he quietly went upstairs.

Only Mrs. Gable noticed that Mr. Thorne had been coming home much more frequently lately, and much earlier too.

In the past, he never returned before midnight.

And he certainly never went to the kindergarten to pick up little Lily.

Zoe didn't pay Hayden any mind.

Once Lily fell asleep, her thoughts immediately turned to Nadia Fox.

Before she could make the call, a bank notification popped up on her phone.

[$75,000]

A message from Garrett Stone followed right after.

"This is what you earned from your hard work, just as promised. There's an information technology conference tomorrow, and I'd love for you to come. I have some professional questions I want to consult you about."

Zoe had intended to refuse, but he had already sent the money.

Garrett was undeniably smooth. With him paying upfront like this, she really had no excuse to decline.

Hesitating for a couple of seconds, she finally typed back a simple "Okay."

When she tried calling Nadia again, the phone was turned off.

It was late at night, and with Hayden home, she couldn't exactly slip out.

All she could do was rest and wait until morning to figure out what was going on with Nadia.

Late that night.

Asher Kendall dialed for the thirty-seventh time, but Nadia's phone was still powered off.

Asher was used to Nadia's wild, reckless behavior.

Over the years, the tighter he tried to control her, the crazier she acted.

Nadia didn't say a word. Sprawled on the sofa, a stray lock of hair fell across her face, and she peered up at him through her half-open eyes.

As he went to pour the coffee, her gaze followed him relentlessly.

Just as the coffee was ready and Asher turned around, a soft arm wrapped around his waist.

"Asher—no, Asher Kendall."

Her voice was incredibly soft, like a purring kitten.

Asher froze entirely at her touch, his body rigid.

The deep night felt suffocating, and the scent of alcohol on her breath was mixed with the faint, sweet fragrance of her skin.

Stunned, he set the coffee down and rested his hand over her arm.

"You've had too much to drink. Let's get you upstairs to rest."

He continued to coax her softly, as gentle as he always was, treating her like a protective guardian.