I Forgot I Ever Loved You (Zoe and Hayden) novel Chapter 298

Except, she didn't care anymore.

Zoe ignored the entire family. Garrett was still waiting for her and Lily.

Lily fired right back.

"It wasn't me! Holden wasn't looking where he was going!"

Mrs. Winters snapped. "Adults are talking. This has nothing to do with you. Get out of here."

Zoe flared up. "Mrs. Winters, watch your mouth."

She tried to lead Lily away, but a sharp pain shot through her arm. Hayden's grip felt like a vise threatening to crush her elbow. Zoe looked up, meeting his chilling, dark gaze. He wasn't going to let her leave.

"Let go," Zoe snapped.

She was furious.

What did he want?

What kind of man teamed up with these people to bully his own wife and daughter?

The cowardly Terrence Winters was probably still hiding in the private room, too afraid to show his face.

And using Holden to stir up trouble with her?

Did they really think she was that easy to push around?

"Apologize."

Hayden had no intention of indulging her any longer. His thin lips curled into a cold line as he shot her a look that demanded obedience.

What the hell was wrong with her lately?

She kept going after Sienna and Holden, over and over again.

He had already minimized the damage to both families.

Terrence would still serve his sentence in two years.

He would get the punishment he deserved.

She should be keeping her head down and staying out of trouble right now.

Instead, she was making another scene.

Zoe felt he wasn't just out of his mind; he was completely beyond saving.

"Let go."

He wouldn't be able to hold her for long.

Lately, she had noticed the two of them crossing paths a bit too often.

Uneasy, she feigned grace, hoping to get Zoe to leave quickly so they could enjoy their family dinner in peace.

"Hayden, if she doesn't want to apologize, I won't force it. I just hope she finally understands her place. She needs to stop desperately trying to get your attention. Some things can't be won through cheap tricks."

She was blatantly referring to Hayden himself.

Zoe would never have him in this lifetime.

Zoe practically rolled her eyes.

"Lily did nothing wrong, and she won't be apologizing to anyone. It's not a matter of whether you want it or not. Mr. Thorne, keep your hands to yourself. Let me go."

Clearly, Sienna still didn't understand who was desperate to cut ties with whom.

Hayden's gaze turned even colder. He could feel that Zoe's disgust wasn't just an act.

In the past, she had clung to him every single day. Now, she was practically crawling out of her skin to draw a line between them.

The jarring contrast brought out a deeply cynical scoff from him.

"You're right. It's not about what anyone wants. It's about proper parenting. Lily ran into someone and hurt them. Shielding her blindly without distinguishing right from wrong isn't love; it's ruining her. She is apologizing today, and you know exactly why."