I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 179

"What is it? Let me see!"

The other friend practically leaped over the table to get a look.

Even the usually unflappable Quentin paused, setting his drink down, suddenly invested in the drama.

Hayden reached out and snatched the pages from Ethan's hands.

He glanced at them and felt an aneurysm forming.

His naked body was on full, explicit display.

The faces of the figures had been violently torn off.

One drawing showcased a man's heavily muscled back, while a pair of long, feminine legs wrapped around his waist.

Hayden immediately recognized the art style.

It was the exact same content from Zoe's comic book.

A perfect match.

How did Asher get his hands on these?

And why were the faces ripped out?

"Come on, let me see!"

The friend whined, trying to peek. Hayden shoved him back effortlessly.

"What exactly was it?" Quentin asked Ethan.

Ethan gulped under Hayden's lethal glare.

"Nothing. Just some sketches. I didn't see anything at all."

It was the first time he had seen Hayden like that.

He had to admit, the man was insanely well-endowed.

No wonder his wife was so obsessed with him.

"Uh, Hayden," Ethan coughed awkwardly. "We've been friends for years. What exactly are you eating at home to be so... majestic?"

"Majestic?"

The friend asked, confused. Quentin didn't want to be the one to explain it, but unfortunately, he understood immediately.

He spat his drink back into his glass.

Hayden's face turned terrifyingly dark.

He shoved the crumpled pages into his pocket and stood up.

"I have things to do. I'm leaving."

He stormed out of the club, reeking of alcohol.

His jaw throbbed, and his lip was bleeding.

The moment he was gone, Ethan's jaw hit the floor.

"Holy hell, he's a beast. Quentin, you're a doctor, you've definitely seen it."

Quentin looked at him like he was an idiot. "I'm a physician, not a urologist."

Leaving the three men to debate human anatomy, Hayden drove back to Blackwood Manor.

Mrs. Gable gasped when she saw him.

"Sir, you're hurt!"

Who in the world had the guts to lay a hand on him?

Hayden waved her off impatiently.

"It's fine. Where is my wife?"

That little instigator. If she wanted to draw him naked for her own pleasure, fine. But passing it around?

If he wasn't highly trained in combat, Asher's furious assault would have landed him in the ICU.

"Mrs. Thorne isn't back yet. Mr. Zachs brought Lily home. She finished her homework and went to sleep."

"Not back yet?"

Hayden checked his watch. It was nearly 10 PM.

What kind of dead-end job kept a woman at the office this late?

A surge of irrational resentment bubbled up inside him.

He pulled out his phone and dialed her number.

It rang three times before she picked up.

"Hello?"

Her voice was crisp and clear.

"You're still not home?"

Hayden demanded, sounding like a neglected spouse.

Zoe replied casually. "I'm working overtime. I'm not done."

Hayden lost his patience.

She remembered all too well that this man had the libido of a feral animal.

He could strike anywhere, anytime.

Especially in this very car. She practically had PTSD from it.

"Do you have too much free time, Mr. Thorne?"

Tracking her down at Sterling? Was he insane?

"You're the one with too much time."

Hayden shot back, throwing the crumpled drawings into her lap.

Zoe used the passing streetlights to look at the pages.

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

"This is—"

She panicked.

This was the raw draft she had given Nadia Fox. How the hell did Hayden get it?

"Don't play dumb."

Hayden sneered.

He thought she was just drawing this filth for herself, but apparently, she had a kink for sharing it with her best friend.

Had she been discussing their private sex life with Nadia all this time?

"I... I don't know what this is," Zoe squeaked, too terrified to admit anything.

Hayden snatched the papers back, examining them right in front of her.

Zoe thought about lunging for them, but assessing the sheer difference in their physical strength, she wisely stayed put.

"I have a question," Hayden said slowly, still studying the art.

"Yeah?"

Zoe's ears burned, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap.

"Where are the faces? Why did Asher Kendall tear the faces off when he gave this to me?"

Zoe stammered, "Listen to me—"

Hayden tilted his head, watching her with predatory amusement.

"I'm listening. You'd better come up with a damn good lie."