I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 296

She hadn't expected Terrence's case to be this convoluted. She had barely managed to nail him. Terrence had pleaded guilty, yet for some inexplicable reason, the judge hadn't ordered immediate incarceration.

Garrett looked at Zoe, his heart breaking with deep pity and affection. His only regret was not finding her sooner to spare her from all this suffering.

Zoe's expression was calm and flat. The trauma of those years was still vivid, but she was finally letting the wind carry it away.

Hayden and Sienna were helping an exhausted Clara into the car. Zoe caught him glancing in her direction. It wasn't a look of concern. It was a warning.

The irony burned intensely in Zoe's chest. Even now, he was warning her. Reminding her not to hurt his precious Sienna and her family?

Nadia suddenly connected the dots, blurting out, "Did Hayden pull strings with the judge?" After all, men with his level of power operated above the rules. If Hayden was secretly shielding the Winters family, Terrence's seven-year sentence was nothing but a joke.

A lump formed in Zoe's throat. Looking across the lot, she watched Hayden's car carry the Winters family away in a cloud of dust. Even Terrence was in that car. So much for prison. The man hadn't even spent a single hour behind bars.

Furious, Nadia called her colleagues at the courthouse. The response was sickening: "Mr. Winters is severely injured. Based on humanitarian grounds, he has been released for medical treatment at a private hospital."

Zoe heard it. Garrett clenched his fists tight, his voice thick with concern. "Zoe, don't let this break you. Terrence won't escape this."

Zoe let out a cold scoff. She hoped so. She had nearly destroyed herself orchestrating this conviction, yet Hayden had casually neutralized a devastating tidal wave for the Winters family without leaving so much as a ripple.

Nadia had also made up her mind. The only move left was to bring Asher Kendall into the fold. Surely Asher cared about her deep down. If he ended up acting just like Hayden... then she would finally be done with him forever.

Naturally, she kept this decision to herself. She knew Zoe would never agree to let her weaponize her own toxic romance for this.

Zoe ultimately returned to Blackwood Manor. But this time, it was only to pack her belongings. Hayden's absolute defense of the Winters family made one thing abundantly clear: staying in this house was nothing but self-sabotage and humiliation.

When Garrett found out, he warmly extended an invitation. "If you don't mind, you can stay with us. My grandfather and my parents love having a full house. It's too dangerous for you and Lily to be out there alone right now. I'd feel better if you were safe with us."

Zoe didn't want to impose on Garrett, nor did she want to spark rumors. Garrett laughed gently. "As long as you don't misunderstand my intentions, it's fine. If you're really worried that I have ulterior motives, I'll have my parents formally adopt you as their goddaughter. That way, you'll have real backing. No one will ever dare lay a finger on you or Lily again. The Kendall family will be your shield."