When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

Chapter 40: The Handsome Husky

That evening, Aiden Xavier drove from his company to pick her up. The moment Hazel Hawthorne got into the car, she shot a vicious glare at his profile and snapped, "You knew I wasn’t feeling well, yet you’re still dragging me out to dinner."

"I’m taking you to meet a friend."

Hazel Hawthorne was furious. She had assumed the dinner Aiden mentioned was some unavoidable business function, but it turned out to be just meeting a friend. That made her even more irritated. There were many ways to make Hazel Hawthorne angry, but Aiden always managed to do things that perfectly stepped on all her triggers.

"Aiden Xavier, if you’re going to meet a friend, shouldn’t you be taking Raina Lowell?"

’Raina isn’t just your one true love, she’s also your mistress. Don’t men look good taking their mistresses out? It shows how much of a big shot you are—one at home and another on the side.’

At her words, Aiden simply shot Hazel a cool glance. His eyes were filled with disdain, as if he found her endless questions tiresome.

When Aiden didn’t answer, Hazel couldn’t be bothered to court a snub.

They hadn’t held a wedding banquet when they got married. Aside from not wanting the hassle, she also had no desire to get involved in Aiden’s life. Meeting his friends felt like a declaration that their marriage was more than just a simple contract on paper.

She was at least self-aware enough to know that.

When Hazel suddenly fell silent, Aiden found it strange and couldn’t help but glance at her a few more times. Seeing her shut her eyes, he snorted. "Why’d you stop talking? Aren’t you supposed to be so glib?"

"What is there to say to you? There’s nothing to talk about." Hazel kept her eyes closed, her voice soft and laced with a mix of resignation and amusement. "You won’t answer even if I ask, so why should I bother? Since you’re taking me to meet your friend, you must have your reasons."

Aiden looked away. ’My reasons?’

He hadn’t really thought about why he was taking Hazel to see Julian Sterling. Since they got married, he’d never intended to let her into his life, much less meet his friends. He knew exactly what taking her to meet them would imply.

meant he was bringing Hazel into his social circle. It was a way of telling his friends that

this would only bring their lives closer

glimpse of him from the corner of her vision, also resting with his eyes closed,

the car instantly chilled, the silence so complete it made the secretary shift uncomfortably. He glanced in the rearview mirror, first at Aiden,

himself,

Hazel and Aiden got out of the car. They walked one after the

his phone, her curiosity got the better of her, and she remarked, "If I weren’t sitting here right now, I’d find it hard to believe a person

and calmly retorted, "And what kind of person is that? Do you think I’m

herself, ’Don’t

to the fact that her own words had gotten under his skin as well. "You’re sly

Then I’d love to see what kind of friends a caustic person

and walk out, not giving

was only that glib when

from him, no longer wanting to speak. She just hoped this dinner would

that handsome face. Too bad it

she couldn’t hold a candle to

had mentioned was still a no-show. Hazel impatiently told him to call and see

hadn’t expected Julian Sterling to be so late either. Before he could make the call, his phone rang—it was

up, his expression blank, that

And here I thought you were such a big shot. Turns out you’re

her, always speaking so insolently, and it always

the server to bring out

no point in the two of us eating alone. We might as well just go home. I can tell you don’t really want to eat with me, and as it

first," Aiden said,