She forgot five years of her life—and that was the best thing that ever happened to her. Zoe Lynd wakes up in a hospital bed with a five-year hole in her memory. Waiting for her is a trembling, wide-eyed toddler who calls her "Mommy," and a man with a heart of ice who calls her "a disappointment." Hayden Thorne, her billionaire husband, treats her like a disposable tool, demanding she sacrifice herself to save his "true love." In these forgotten years, Zoe was a pathetic "simp"—a woman who traded her pride, her fortune, and her dignity for a man who despised her. But Zoe who woke up is done playing the victim. "Divorce. Now," she declares, flipping the table on his demands. "I’m taking the kid, half your assets, and my freedom. You? You can go to hell." As she reclaims her throne as a brilliant, wealthy, and stunning powerhouse, the world realizes the "talentless wife" was actually a hidden genius. While she thrives in the spotlight, surrounded by elite suitors, the once-indifferent Hayden is suddenly losing his mind with jealousy. Now, the man who never spared her a glance is on his knees, begging for a second chance. "Honey, I’m not signing the papers. The money is yours. My heart is yours. Just... look at me again." But some scars run deeper than memory, and Zoe is no longer the girl who would die for his love.

Chapter 1Zoe Lynd lost her memory.When she opened her eyes, she was lying in the bed of her sister's fiancé.Tomorrow was supposed to be the wedding of Hayden Thorne and her half-sister, Sienna Winters.Clutching the shredded remains of her lingerie, Zoe huddled in the corner of the bed, trembling violently.The man beside her let out a low, satisfied exhale before throwing off the covers and striding straight to the en-suite bathroom, without sparing her a single glance.Zoe's mind went into a tailspin.Hayden, the most powerful man in New York, was marrying Sienna tomorrow. Why on earth did she just sleep with him on the eve of his wedding?The room's heavy, modern decor was illuminated only by a single warm lamp on the nightstand, casting a faint glow in the darkness.A chill brushed her bare back, and she let out a soft sneeze, hurriedly retreating beneath the sheets and wrapping the thick fabric tightly around herself, leaving only a tiny gap to peek through.Her brain was a chaotic mess; she could not recall a single detail from the night before. It was the middle of summer, yet the room felt freezing.The sound of running water in the bathroom abruptly stopped, the door swung open, and a flood of light spilled into the bedroom.Zoe cautiously poked her head out of her cocoon.The man stood with a towel slung low on his hips. He possessed broad shoulders and a narrow waist, his sculpted torso tapering down to a sharp V-line. But it was his face—chiseled, cold, and devastatingly handsome—that made Zoe's heart skip a beat.Everyone in their circle knew Hayden only had eyes for Sienna. He never gave other women the time of day.Yet last night, they had clearly shared an intense, passionate encounter.The thought alone made a furious blush rush to Zoe's cheeks. As Hayden slowly approached the bed, her pulse skyrocketed.She had no idea what was going on between them. She had harbored a secret crush on him for years but had never dared to let it show. How did she end up in his bed, doing that with him?In the dim light, Hayden caught sight of her dazed, panicked expression. His dark brows furrowed, his gaze turning somber.When she remained frozen, his frown deepened imperceptibly.He hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping closer to the bed.Terrified that he was going to get back under the covers, Zoe scrambled out of the mattress.She took the entire sheet with her, wrapping it securely around her body."I—I'm so sorry. I don't know how I ended up here. I'm leaving right now."She looked at him with wide, cautious eyes, which seemed to ease the severe set of his jaw just a fraction.Bending down, Zoe gathered her scattered clothes from the floor, clutching them haphazardly as she bolted toward the door.Hayden casually discarded his towel and lay down on the bed.He looked entirely at ease, as if this was his normal routine.Clutching her makeshift toga, Zoe slowly turned around, staring at him in utter mortification."Hayden—"The man on the bed picked up his iPad, tapping into the morning news before he could check the headlines.At the sound of his name, he finally lifted his eyes.His gaze was predatory as it swept over her face, his lips pressing into a thin, hard line. The sharp cut of his jaw tightened, and his piercing, icy stare locked onto her."What did you just call me?"An overwhelming wave of pressure hit her, and Zoe couldn't meet his eyes. "It's really late. Could you... possibly have someone drive me home?"He looked completely unbothered, while she was practically dying of shame.Hayden's grip on the tablet tightened. A fleeting flash of clear mockery crossed his dark eyes before it vanished.He lowered his gaze back to the screen, completely ignoring her.Zoe stood frozen in place, utterly mortified and desperate. After a long silence, she murmured, "I'll just call a cab then."Her hand grasped the doorknob. Just as she pushed it open, Hayden's cold voice sliced through the air, hitting her ears with perfect precision."Your room is next door."She blinked in confusion.Zoe was entirely lost.He had a room prepared for her here? Then where was Sienna?If she was in Hayden's bedroom, where was his blushing bride-to-be?Assuming he hadn't understood her, she turned around stiffly, still refusing to meet his intense gaze."I really should head back. We barely even know each other."It was the truth. Her current boyfriend was Hunter Keating, Hayden's cousin. Whenever she accompanied Hunter to family dinners, she frequently saw Hayden, but she recalled he had never so much as glanced her way.Hayden was the undisputed king of New York's business elite. Between his ruthless background, vast wealth, education, and striking looks, he was the ultimate fantasy for every socialite in the city.A man with his resume should have been a notorious playboy, yet he was fiercely devoted to Sienna.That singular loyalty was what first piqued Zoe's curiosity.There was a saying that one look at Hayden Thorne could ruin a woman for life, and the moment Zoe first saw him, she knew it was true.Despite having a boyfriend, she had accidentally fallen for him at first sight, yet Hayden was about to marry Sienna.Hayden casually swiped a finger across his tablet, his tone flat but absolute."Zoe, you just bumped your head and got a mild concussion. Stop faking amnesia."Zoe froze.Bumped her head? Amnesia?Hayden picked up the landline by the bed and dialed downstairs."Come up."Zoe stood barefoot on the plush carpet. Hayden completely ignored her existence.The atmosphere in the room felt stifling and oppressive.The door opened from the outside, and Mrs. Gable stood there, looking incredibly respectful."Ms. Lynd, please follow me."Completely lost, Zoe obediently followed the housekeeper out into the hall.But Mrs. Gable didn't take her to the room next door. Instead, she led her to a smaller bedroom in the southwest corner of the massive estate."Lily was crying for you earlier. Mr. Thorne has to go into the office tomorrow, so please make sure she doesn't interrupt his sleep."With those brief instructions, Mrs. Gable left Zoe standing in the doorway and walked away.Zoe's mind was reeling.Inside the softly lit room, a tiny, adorable little girl sat on the bed, hugging her knees and sobbing quietly. At the sound of the door, the child instantly dropped her stuffed animal and stumbled out of bed, rushing over."Mommy, Lily doesn't want to sleep alone. I'm scared."The little girl's sweet, tearful voice carried the faint, powdery scent of baby lotion. Her features were an exact miniature replica of Zoe's own. Zoe's mind flatlined, and she nearly collapsed.She had a daughter?Forcing down the urge to scream, she knelt and scooped the warm little girl into a tight hug."Lily?"The child smelled amazing, sweet and warm like a fresh marshmallow.She felt impossibly soft.Holding her gently, Zoe asked in a trembling whisper."Lily, sweetie, can you tell me... who your daddy is?"Lily reached out with a chubby little hand, gently blowing on a small bandage on Zoe's forehead to soothe it. "Mommy, does it hurt? Did Mommy forget everything? Daddy's last name is Thorne! His name is Hayden Thorne!"A loud ringing echoed in Zoe's ears.She felt as though her soul had left her body. She woke up having slept with Hayden, and apparently, they had a child together?The next day.Zoe woke up early to interrogate Mrs. Gable."You were carried back to the house yesterday. You lost consciousness briefly, but the doctor assured us it was nothing serious.Mr. Thorne had a full medical team run tests on you, and it was just a mild concussion. The doctor never mentioned anything about amnesia. Are you entirely sure you don't remember anything?"Mrs. Gable stared at Zoe with overt suspicion, clearly not buying a word of it."When did I marry Mr. Thorne?"She sat rigidly on the sofa, feeling entirely out of place.She felt like an imposter in this house, let alone the mother of Hayden's child.Mrs. Gable's suspicion deepened."You married him five years ago, Ms. Lynd. Lily just turned four."Zoe furrowed her brows. Was this a sick joke?Today was supposed to be Hayden and Sienna's wedding day. How could she have been married to him for five years?Footsteps echoed from the staircase. Hayden descended, looking impossibly elegant. He wore a crisp white dress shirt with a tailored black suit jacket draped over one arm.Zoe studied him closely, realizing that compared to the man from five years ago in her memories, this Hayden carried a distinct, mature air of a husband.He walked right past her, exactly as she remembered him doing.His gaze didn't linger on her for even a second.It didn't matter that her beauty was legendary across New York's high society; to him, she was invisible."Hayden—"She called out. Hayden paused, turning his head slightly toward her as if just noticing she was there.Mrs. Gable stole a glance at her boss and immediately noticed his expression darkening like a storm cloud.Terrified, the housekeeper kept her mouth firmly shut. Hayden looked away, resuming his path toward the dining room."Honey?"With that single word, Mrs. Gable's fear dissolved into amusement.She let out a laugh before hastily clapping a hand over her mouth.Hayden looked like a man pushed to his absolute limit. His jaw clenched so tight the muscles ticked, and a deep crease formed between his brows.Zoe shifted uncomfortably.It was just a test. Calling him by his name made him unhappy, but calling him 'honey' seemed to make him downright furious.The man ground his teeth together, his sharp gaze bypassing Zoe entirely to pin Mrs. Gable to the spot.The housekeeper instantly stiffened, dropping her hand."Go over the rules with her again."Hayden changed his route, skipping the dining room entirely, and strode out the front door.Zoe bit her lower lip, entirely clueless as to what 'rules' he was talking about.Mrs. Gable let out a long sigh, hurried upstairs, and returned a few minutes later.She was holding a small box."Ms. Lynd, this is effective for seventy-two hours. Take it."Zoe glanced at the box and her face burned violently.Before she went to sleep with Lily last night, Hayden had pinned her to the mattress like a feral predator, taking her again and again for hours.Her very first memory of this new reality was their wildly passionate night.Mrs. Gable had handed her a morning-after pill.Still utterly bewildered by the dynamics of her relationship with Hayden, Zoe popped the pill out and swallowed it dry without a second thought.A flash of surprise crossed Mrs. Gable's eyes.Usually, taking this pill brought a look of utter devastation to Zoe's face. Today, she took it without a flinch.Checking the time, Mrs. Gable noted that Zoe made no move to get ready, so she offered a reminder."Mrs. Thorne, you should take little Miss Lynd to school now."Zoe still wasn't used to the idea of being a mother. Lily came bounding down the stairs with a tiny backpack, walking obediently up to Zoe and slipping a little hand into hers.Zoe looked down at the sweet, tiny girl. She was so small, so fragrant, and impossibly cute."Lily Thorne?"She tested the name softly. Lily blinked, then shook her head."Mommy, you said it wrong. My name isn't Lily Thorne, it's Lily Lynd. You picked it because you love Lily of the Valley flowers the most."Chapter 2Zoe Lynd lost her memory.When she opened her eyes, she was lying in the bed of her sister's fiancé.Tomorrow was supposed to be the wedding of Hayden Thorne and her half-sister, Sienna Winters.Clutching the shredded remains of her lingerie, Zoe huddled in the corner of the bed, trembling violently.The man beside her let out a low, satisfied exhale before throwing off the covers and striding straight to the en-suite bathroom, without sparing her a single glance.Zoe's mind went into a tailspin.Hayden, the most powerful man in New York, was marrying Sienna tomorrow. Why on earth did she just sleep with him on the eve of his wedding?The room's heavy, modern decor was illuminated only by a single warm lamp on the nightstand, casting a faint glow in the darkness.A chill brushed her bare back, and she let out a soft sneeze, hurriedly retreating beneath the sheets and wrapping the thick fabric tightly around herself, leaving only a tiny gap to peek through.Her brain was a chaotic mess; she could not recall a single detail from the night before. It was the middle of summer, yet the room felt freezing.The sound of running water in the bathroom abruptly stopped, the door swung open, and a flood of light spilled into the bedroom.Zoe cautiously poked her head out of her cocoon.The man stood with a towel slung low on his hips. He possessed broad shoulders and a narrow waist, his sculpted torso tapering down to a sharp V-line. But it was his face—chiseled, cold, and devastatingly handsome—that made Zoe's heart skip a beat.Everyone in their circle knew Hayden only had eyes for Sienna. He never gave other women the time of day.Yet last night, they had clearly shared an intense, passionate encounter.The thought alone made a furious blush rush to Zoe's cheeks. As Hayden slowly approached the bed, her pulse skyrocketed.She had no idea what was going on between them. She had harbored a secret crush on him for years but had never dared to let it show. How did she end up in his bed, doing that with him?In the dim light, Hayden caught sight of her dazed, panicked expression. His dark brows furrowed, his gaze turning somber.When she remained frozen, his frown deepened imperceptibly.He hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping closer to the bed.Terrified that he was going to get back under the covers, Zoe scrambled out of the mattress.She took the entire sheet with her, wrapping it securely around her body."I—I'm so sorry. I don't know how I ended up here. I'm leaving right now."She looked at him with wide, cautious eyes, which seemed to ease the severe set of his jaw just a fraction.Bending down, Zoe gathered her scattered clothes from the floor, clutching them haphazardly as she bolted toward the door.Hayden casually discarded his towel and lay down on the bed.He looked entirely at ease, as if this was his normal routine.Clutching her makeshift toga, Zoe slowly turned around, staring at him in utter mortification."Hayden—"The man on the bed picked up his iPad, tapping into the morning news before he could check the headlines.At the sound of his name, he finally lifted his eyes.His gaze was predatory as it swept over her face, his lips pressing into a thin, hard line. The sharp cut of his jaw tightened, and his piercing, icy stare locked onto her."What did you just call me?"An overwhelming wave of pressure hit her, and Zoe couldn't meet his eyes. "It's really late. Could you... possibly have someone drive me home?"He looked completely unbothered, while she was practically dying of shame.Hayden's grip on the tablet tightened. A fleeting flash of clear mockery crossed his dark eyes before it vanished.He lowered his gaze back to the screen, completely ignoring her.Zoe stood frozen in place, utterly mortified and desperate. After a long silence, she murmured, "I'll just call a cab then."Her hand grasped the doorknob. Just as she pushed it open, Hayden's cold voice sliced through the air, hitting her ears with perfect precision."Your room is next door."She blinked in confusion.Zoe was entirely lost.He had a room prepared for her here? Then where was Sienna?If she was in Hayden's bedroom, where was his blushing bride-to-be?Assuming he hadn't understood her, she turned around stiffly, still refusing to meet his intense gaze."I really should head back. We barely even know each other."It was the truth. Her current boyfriend was Hunter Keating, Hayden's cousin. Whenever she accompanied Hunter to family dinners, she frequently saw Hayden, but she recalled he had never so much as glanced her way.Hayden was the undisputed king of New York's business elite. Between his ruthless background, vast wealth, education, and striking looks, he was the ultimate fantasy for every socialite in the city.A man with his resume should have been a notorious playboy, yet he was fiercely devoted to Sienna.That singular loyalty was what first piqued Zoe's curiosity.There was a saying that one look at Hayden Thorne could ruin a woman for life, and the moment Zoe first saw him, she knew it was true.Despite having a boyfriend, she had accidentally fallen for him at first sight, yet Hayden was about to marry Sienna.Hayden casually swiped a finger across his tablet, his tone flat but absolute."Zoe, you just bumped your head and got a mild concussion. Stop faking amnesia."Zoe froze.Bumped her head? Amnesia?Hayden picked up the landline by the bed and dialed downstairs."Come up."Zoe stood barefoot on the plush carpet. Hayden completely ignored her existence.The atmosphere in the room felt stifling and oppressive.The door opened from the outside, and Mrs. Gable stood there, looking incredibly respectful."Ms. Lynd, please follow me."Completely lost, Zoe obediently followed the housekeeper out into the hall.But Mrs. Gable didn't take her to the room next door. Instead, she led her to a smaller bedroom in the southwest corner of the massive estate."Lily was crying for you earlier. Mr. Thorne has to go into the office tomorrow, so please make sure she doesn't interrupt his sleep."With those brief instructions, Mrs. Gable left Zoe standing in the doorway and walked away.Zoe's mind was reeling.Inside the softly lit room, a tiny, adorable little girl sat on the bed, hugging her knees and sobbing quietly. At the sound of the door, the child instantly dropped her stuffed animal and stumbled out of bed, rushing over."Mommy, Lily doesn't want to sleep alone. I'm scared."The little girl's sweet, tearful voice carried the faint, powdery scent of baby lotion. Her features were an exact miniature replica of Zoe's own. Zoe's mind flatlined, and she nearly collapsed.She had a daughter?Forcing down the urge to scream, she knelt and scooped the warm little girl into a tight hug."Lily?"The child smelled amazing, sweet and warm like a fresh marshmallow.She felt impossibly soft.Holding her gently, Zoe asked in a trembling whisper."Lily, sweetie, can you tell me... who your daddy is?"Lily reached out with a chubby little hand, gently blowing on a small bandage on Zoe's forehead to soothe it. "Mommy, does it hurt? Did Mommy forget everything? Daddy's last name is Thorne! His name is Hayden Thorne!"A loud ringing echoed in Zoe's ears.She felt as though her soul had left her body. She woke up having slept with Hayden, and apparently, they had a child together?The next day.Zoe woke up early to interrogate Mrs. Gable."You were carried back to the house yesterday. You lost consciousness briefly, but the doctor assured us it was nothing serious.Mr. Thorne had a full medical team run tests on you, and it was just a mild concussion. The doctor never mentioned anything about amnesia. Are you entirely sure you don't remember anything?"Mrs. Gable stared at Zoe with overt suspicion, clearly not buying a word of it."When did I marry Mr. Thorne?"She sat rigidly on the sofa, feeling entirely out of place.She felt like an imposter in this house, let alone the mother of Hayden's child.Mrs. Gable's suspicion deepened."You married him five years ago, Ms. Lynd. Lily just turned four."Zoe furrowed her brows. Was this a sick joke?Today was supposed to be Hayden and Sienna's wedding day. How could she have been married to him for five years?Footsteps echoed from the staircase. Hayden descended, looking impossibly elegant. He wore a crisp white dress shirt with a tailored black suit jacket draped over one arm.Zoe studied him closely, realizing that compared to the man from five years ago in her memories, this Hayden carried a distinct, mature air of a husband.He walked right past her, exactly as she remembered him doing.His gaze didn't linger on her for even a second.It didn't matter that her beauty was legendary across New York's high society; to him, she was invisible."Hayden—"She called out. Hayden paused, turning his head slightly toward her as if just noticing she was there.Mrs. Gable stole a glance at her boss and immediately noticed his expression darkening like a storm cloud.Terrified, the housekeeper kept her mouth firmly shut. Hayden looked away, resuming his path toward the dining room."Honey?"With that single word, Mrs. Gable's fear dissolved into amusement.She let out a laugh before hastily clapping a hand over her mouth.Hayden looked like a man pushed to his absolute limit. His jaw clenched so tight the muscles ticked, and a deep crease formed between his brows.Zoe shifted uncomfortably.It was just a test. Calling him by his name made him unhappy, but calling him 'honey' seemed to make him downright furious.The man ground his teeth together, his sharp gaze bypassing Zoe entirely to pin Mrs. Gable to the spot.The housekeeper instantly stiffened, dropping her hand."Go over the rules with her again."Hayden changed his route, skipping the dining room entirely, and strode out the front door.Zoe bit her lower lip, entirely clueless as to what 'rules' he was talking about.Mrs. Gable let out a long sigh, hurried upstairs, and returned a few minutes later.She was holding a small box."Ms. Lynd, this is effective for seventy-two hours. Take it."Zoe glanced at the box and her face burned violently.Before she went to sleep with Lily last night, Hayden had pinned her to the mattress like a feral predator, taking her again and again for hours.Her very first memory of this new reality was their wildly passionate night.Mrs. Gable had handed her a morning-after pill.Still utterly bewildered by the dynamics of her relationship with Hayden, Zoe popped the pill out and swallowed it dry without a second thought.A flash of surprise crossed Mrs. Gable's eyes.Usually, taking this pill brought a look of utter devastation to Zoe's face. Today, she took it without a flinch.Checking the time, Mrs. Gable noted that Zoe made no move to get ready, so she offered a reminder."Mrs. Thorne, you should take little Miss Lynd to school now."Zoe still wasn't used to the idea of being a mother. Lily came bounding down the stairs with a tiny backpack, walking obediently up to Zoe and slipping a little hand into hers.Zoe looked down at the sweet, tiny girl. She was so small, so fragrant, and impossibly cute."Lily Thorne?"She tested the name softly. Lily blinked, then shook her head."Mommy, you said it wrong. My name isn't Lily Thorne, it's Lily Lynd. You picked it because you love Lily of the Valley flowers the most."Chapter 3Zoe Lynd lost her memory.When she opened her eyes, she was lying in the bed of her sister's fiancé.Tomorrow was supposed to be the wedding of Hayden Thorne and her half-sister, Sienna Winters.Clutching the shredded remains of her lingerie, Zoe huddled in the corner of the bed, trembling violently.The man beside her let out a low, satisfied exhale before throwing off the covers and striding straight to the en-suite bathroom, without sparing her a single glance.Zoe's mind went into a tailspin.Hayden, the most powerful man in New York, was marrying Sienna tomorrow. Why on earth did she just sleep with him on the eve of his wedding?The room's heavy, modern decor was illuminated only by a single warm lamp on the nightstand, casting a faint glow in the darkness.A chill brushed her bare back, and she let out a soft sneeze, hurriedly retreating beneath the sheets and wrapping the thick fabric tightly around herself, leaving only a tiny gap to peek through.Her brain was a chaotic mess; she could not recall a single detail from the night before. It was the middle of summer, yet the room felt freezing.The sound of running water in the bathroom abruptly stopped, the door swung open, and a flood of light spilled into the bedroom.Zoe cautiously poked her head out of her cocoon.The man stood with a towel slung low on his hips. He possessed broad shoulders and a narrow waist, his sculpted torso tapering down to a sharp V-line. But it was his face—chiseled, cold, and devastatingly handsome—that made Zoe's heart skip a beat.Everyone in their circle knew Hayden only had eyes for Sienna. He never gave other women the time of day.Yet last night, they had clearly shared an intense, passionate encounter.The thought alone made a furious blush rush to Zoe's cheeks. As Hayden slowly approached the bed, her pulse skyrocketed.She had no idea what was going on between them. She had harbored a secret crush on him for years but had never dared to let it show. How did she end up in his bed, doing that with him?In the dim light, Hayden caught sight of her dazed, panicked expression. His dark brows furrowed, his gaze turning somber.When she remained frozen, his frown deepened imperceptibly.He hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping closer to the bed.Terrified that he was going to get back under the covers, Zoe scrambled out of the mattress.She took the entire sheet with her, wrapping it securely around her body."I—I'm so sorry. I don't know how I ended up here. I'm leaving right now."She looked at him with wide, cautious eyes, which seemed to ease the severe set of his jaw just a fraction.Bending down, Zoe gathered her scattered clothes from the floor, clutching them haphazardly as she bolted toward the door.Hayden casually discarded his towel and lay down on the bed.He looked entirely at ease, as if this was his normal routine.Clutching her makeshift toga, Zoe slowly turned around, staring at him in utter mortification."Hayden—"The man on the bed picked up his iPad, tapping into the morning news before he could check the headlines.At the sound of his name, he finally lifted his eyes.His gaze was predatory as it swept over her face, his lips pressing into a thin, hard line. The sharp cut of his jaw tightened, and his piercing, icy stare locked onto her."What did you just call me?"An overwhelming wave of pressure hit her, and Zoe couldn't meet his eyes. "It's really late. Could you... possibly have someone drive me home?"He looked completely unbothered, while she was practically dying of shame.Hayden's grip on the tablet tightened. A fleeting flash of clear mockery crossed his dark eyes before it vanished.He lowered his gaze back to the screen, completely ignoring her.Zoe stood frozen in place, utterly mortified and desperate. After a long silence, she murmured, "I'll just call a cab then."Her hand grasped the doorknob. Just as she pushed it open, Hayden's cold voice sliced through the air, hitting her ears with perfect precision."Your room is next door."She blinked in confusion.Zoe was entirely lost.He had a room prepared for her here? Then where was Sienna?If she was in Hayden's bedroom, where was his blushing bride-to-be?Assuming he hadn't understood her, she turned around stiffly, still refusing to meet his intense gaze."I really should head back. We barely even know each other."It was the truth. Her current boyfriend was Hunter Keating, Hayden's cousin. Whenever she accompanied Hunter to family dinners, she frequently saw Hayden, but she recalled he had never so much as glanced her way.Hayden was the undisputed king of New York's business elite. Between his ruthless background, vast wealth, education, and striking looks, he was the ultimate fantasy for every socialite in the city.A man with his resume should have been a notorious playboy, yet he was fiercely devoted to Sienna.That singular loyalty was what first piqued Zoe's curiosity.There was a saying that one look at Hayden Thorne could ruin a woman for life, and the moment Zoe first saw him, she knew it was true.Despite having a boyfriend, she had accidentally fallen for him at first sight, yet Hayden was about to marry Sienna.Hayden casually swiped a finger across his tablet, his tone flat but absolute."Zoe, you just bumped your head and got a mild concussion. Stop faking amnesia."Zoe froze.Bumped her head? Amnesia?Hayden picked up the landline by the bed and dialed downstairs."Come up."Zoe stood barefoot on the plush carpet. Hayden completely ignored her existence.The atmosphere in the room felt stifling and oppressive.The door opened from the outside, and Mrs. Gable stood there, looking incredibly respectful."Ms. Lynd, please follow me."Completely lost, Zoe obediently followed the housekeeper out into the hall.But Mrs. Gable didn't take her to the room next door. Instead, she led her to a smaller bedroom in the southwest corner of the massive estate."Lily was crying for you earlier. Mr. Thorne has to go into the office tomorrow, so please make sure she doesn't interrupt his sleep."With those brief instructions, Mrs. Gable left Zoe standing in the doorway and walked away.Zoe's mind was reeling.Inside the softly lit room, a tiny, adorable little girl sat on the bed, hugging her knees and sobbing quietly. At the sound of the door, the child instantly dropped her stuffed animal and stumbled out of bed, rushing over."Mommy, Lily doesn't want to sleep alone. I'm scared."The little girl's sweet, tearful voice carried the faint, powdery scent of baby lotion. Her features were an exact miniature replica of Zoe's own. Zoe's mind flatlined, and she nearly collapsed.She had a daughter?Forcing down the urge to scream, she knelt and scooped the warm little girl into a tight hug."Lily?"The child smelled amazing, sweet and warm like a fresh marshmallow.She felt impossibly soft.Holding her gently, Zoe asked in a trembling whisper."Lily, sweetie, can you tell me... who your daddy is?"Lily reached out with a chubby little hand, gently blowing on a small bandage on Zoe's forehead to soothe it. "Mommy, does it hurt? Did Mommy forget everything? Daddy's last name is Thorne! His name is Hayden Thorne!"A loud ringing echoed in Zoe's ears.She felt as though her soul had left her body. She woke up having slept with Hayden, and apparently, they had a child together?The next day.Zoe woke up early to interrogate Mrs. Gable."You were carried back to the house yesterday. You lost consciousness briefly, but the doctor assured us it was nothing serious.Mr. Thorne had a full medical team run tests on you, and it was just a mild concussion. The doctor never mentioned anything about amnesia. Are you entirely sure you don't remember anything?"Mrs. Gable stared at Zoe with overt suspicion, clearly not buying a word of it."When did I marry Mr. Thorne?"She sat rigidly on the sofa, feeling entirely out of place.She felt like an imposter in this house, let alone the mother of Hayden's child.Mrs. Gable's suspicion deepened."You married him five years ago, Ms. Lynd. Lily just turned four."Zoe furrowed her brows. Was this a sick joke?Today was supposed to be Hayden and Sienna's wedding day. How could she have been married to him for five years?Footsteps echoed from the staircase. Hayden descended, looking impossibly elegant. He wore a crisp white dress shirt with a tailored black suit jacket draped over one arm.Zoe studied him closely, realizing that compared to the man from five years ago in her memories, this Hayden carried a distinct, mature air of a husband.He walked right past her, exactly as she remembered him doing.His gaze didn't linger on her for even a second.It didn't matter that her beauty was legendary across New York's high society; to him, she was invisible."Hayden—"She called out. Hayden paused, turning his head slightly toward her as if just noticing she was there.Mrs. Gable stole a glance at her boss and immediately noticed his expression darkening like a storm cloud.Terrified, the housekeeper kept her mouth firmly shut. Hayden looked away, resuming his path toward the dining room."Honey?"With that single word, Mrs. Gable's fear dissolved into amusement.She let out a laugh before hastily clapping a hand over her mouth.Hayden looked like a man pushed to his absolute limit. His jaw clenched so tight the muscles ticked, and a deep crease formed between his brows.Zoe shifted uncomfortably.It was just a test. Calling him by his name made him unhappy, but calling him 'honey' seemed to make him downright furious.The man ground his teeth together, his sharp gaze bypassing Zoe entirely to pin Mrs. Gable to the spot.The housekeeper instantly stiffened, dropping her hand."Go over the rules with her again."Hayden changed his route, skipping the dining room entirely, and strode out the front door.Zoe bit her lower lip, entirely clueless as to what 'rules' he was talking about.Mrs. Gable let out a long sigh, hurried upstairs, and returned a few minutes later.She was holding a small box."Ms. Lynd, this is effective for seventy-two hours. Take it."Zoe glanced at the box and her face burned violently.Before she went to sleep with Lily last night, Hayden had pinned her to the mattress like a feral predator, taking her again and again for hours.Her very first memory of this new reality was their wildly passionate night.Mrs. Gable had handed her a morning-after pill.Still utterly bewildered by the dynamics of her relationship with Hayden, Zoe popped the pill out and swallowed it dry without a second thought.A flash of surprise crossed Mrs. Gable's eyes.Usually, taking this pill brought a look of utter devastation to Zoe's face. Today, she took it without a flinch.Checking the time, Mrs. Gable noted that Zoe made no move to get ready, so she offered a reminder."Mrs. Thorne, you should take little Miss Lynd to school now."Zoe still wasn't used to the idea of being a mother. Lily came bounding down the stairs with a tiny backpack, walking obediently up to Zoe and slipping a little hand into hers.Zoe looked down at the sweet, tiny girl. She was so small, so fragrant, and impossibly cute."Lily Thorne?"She tested the name softly. Lily blinked, then shook her head."Mommy, you said it wrong. My name isn't Lily Thorne, it's Lily Lynd. You picked it because you love Lily of the Valley flowers the most."