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."

that, Hazel Hawthorne walked straight past Aiden Xavier without sparing him so much

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

Aiden Xavier disliked sharp-tongued women, which was why she always made sure

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

to reality and looked down. "Why would you say that? What does what we do have to do with

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

arm, but he made no move. "I

only loved me? So

onto the back of her hand, right where Aiden Xavier would see it. "Last night, you left me all

was silent for a

her about something. I didn’t know she was sick at the time," Aiden

Lowell was not satisfied with this answer and pressed him further. "Then why didn’t you pick up when I called you last night?

voice. He paused before continuing, "You know I don’t like being interrogated. I have my reasons for what I do. I don’t need to

at the man before her as tears began to

Xavier’s face was a blank mask, his eyes devoid of any affection, let alone tenderness. She didn’t even have the courage to act cute and coax him, and could only stand to the side, sobbing

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

nodded silently. "Aiden, I know you love me, but I feel so insecure. You’re so exceptional. Even if you don’t go looking for trouble,

for three years, after all. And

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

The very fact that he was controlling his temper for her was proof enough of her place in

Raina Lowell 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