When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

Chapter 24: A Little Cold Won’t Kill You

Hazel Hawthorne glanced at the pitiful-looking Raina Lowell, then grinned and patted Aiden Xavier’s shoulder. "Your precious is calling for you."

Hazel Hawthorne’s cheeks were deeply flushed, reminding Aiden Xavier of how her high fever had refused to break the night before. He shot a quick glance at Raina Lowell, and when he saw Hazel about to leave, he grabbed her hand almost subconsciously.

"You’re out shopping while you’re sick? Can’t you ever sit still?"

Hazel Hawthorne froze for a second. She felt a burning gaze fixed on her, making her skin crawl. Casting a subtle glance out of the corner of her eye, she caught the flash of disgust in Raina Lowell’s eyes.

Hazel Hawthorne was torn between exasperation and amusement. She shook off Aiden Xavier’s hand and said flatly, "It’s none of your damn business. It’s just a little cold. It won’t kill me."

"Hazel Hawthorne, do you know why you don’t have any friends?" Rebuffed by Hazel’s indifferent and distant attitude, Aiden Xavier felt he was losing face, and his voice turned cold. "With the way you talk, no one would ever want to be your friend."

His words seemed to strike a nerve, hitting the softest part of Hazel’s heart. ’Someone had said that to her before, hoping she would retract her thorns. But before she’d had the chance, that person had left her forever.’

’She used to be gentle, too. She didn’t always speak this way. She would talk softly, and she would feel happy when others showed they cared. But then, too many things happened, and she learned that when there’s no one to protect you, only a shell of thorns can keep you safe.’

Hazel Hawthorne’s gaze turned icy in an instant. "I don’t need friends."

Aiden Xavier scoffed. "You don’t mean that."

"You should focus on the one beside you."

Hazel Hawthorne walked straight past Aiden Xavier without sparing him

her sides. ’He’s worried about Hazel Hawthorne. He must have been

she always

Raina Lowell asked, watching him carefully. "If she doesn’t like us being together, maybe you shouldn’t come

down. "Why would you say that?

eyes were already welling with tears. Her voice,

that I like her?" Aiden Xavier noticed Raina was no longer holding his arm,

you only loved me?

Lowell blinked, and a tear splashed onto the back of her hand, right where Aiden Xavier would see it. "Last night, you left

silent

something. I didn’t know she was sick at the time," Aiden Xavier said coolly, offering

didn’t you pick up when I called you last night? You know I hate being alone in a

I don’t like being interrogated. I have my reasons for what

as tears began to stream down her face, falling like a broken string

affection, let alone tenderness. She didn’t even have the

my marriage to Hazel Hawthorne is a sham, we still have to maintain the appearance of a normal couple, you understand? Even if I don’t do it

insecure. You’re so exceptional. Even if you don’t go looking for trouble, other women will come looking

been together for three years, after all. And for all those three years,

"She’s not my type. Don’t worry. The moment I divorce Hazel, I will marry you. And I’ll get

Xavier was not a man who was good at comforting people. The very fact that he was controlling his temper for her was proof enough of her place

understood him well. She knew that pushing any further would only make him angry, so she wisely decided to quit while she was ahead. Wiping the tears from her face, she said, "Aiden, I believe