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."

Xavier without sparing him so much as

frozen in place. Raina Lowell’s hands balled into fists at her sides. ’He’s worried about Hazel Hawthorne.

disliked sharp-tongued women, which was why she always

upset because she saw you with me?" Raina Lowell asked, watching him carefully. "If she doesn’t like us being together, maybe you shouldn’t come see

and looked down. "Why would you say that? What does what we

eyes were already welling with tears. Her voice, laced with hurt and sorrow, was tentative. "Aiden,

the idea that I like her?" Aiden Xavier noticed Raina was no longer holding his arm, but he made no move. "I can only

is fake," Raina Lowell blurted out. "Didn’t you say you only loved me? So why do I get the feeling you

and a tear splashed onto the back of her hand, right where Aiden Xavier would see it. "Last night, you left me all alone at the hospital. Were

Xavier was silent for

something. I didn’t know she was sick

didn’t you pick up when I called you

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

She stared at the man before her as tears began to stream

face was a blank mask, his eyes devoid of any affection, let alone tenderness. She didn’t even have the

And while 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 for Hazel’s sake, I have to do

I know you love me, but I feel so insecure. You’re so exceptional. Even if you don’t go looking for trouble, other women will come looking for

together for three years, after all. And for all

Aiden Xavier patted Raina Lowell’s head. "She’s not my type. Don’t worry. The moment I

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

She knew that pushing any further would only make him angry,