When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

Chapter 42: You Have Friends, Too?

Hazel Hawthorne was jolted awake by a phone call early in the morning. She answered, her eyes still squinted shut. Suddenly, they flew wide open. She sat bolt upright and asked in surprise, "You’re saying you’re coming to see me?"

"Yeah. You’ve been taking a lot of time off lately. I heard from Director Shaw that you called in sick again. Since you live alone, I’m sure you aren’t taking good care of yourself. My boyfriend happens to be away on business this weekend, so I thought I’d come over and keep you company."

Hazel Hawthorne was troubled. She didn’t really want Sharon Winters to visit, but she was also incredibly grateful for Sharon’s friendliness and concern. Through her, Hazel was learning what it felt like to have a friend.

After a long silence, Sharon Winters couldn’t help but ask again, "Hazel, is it a bad time for me to come over?"

"No, it’s not inconvenient. It’s just that I live really far away, so it’ll be a huge hassle for you." Hazel Hawthorne rubbed her eyes, hesitating. ’She lives in a luxury villa. If Sharon comes, how am I going to explain this?’

"Well, if it’s no trouble, just send me your address. I made some chicken soup for you. You’re so thin, and now you’re sick—you definitely haven’t been eating properly. I need to help you build your strength back up."

After much hesitation, Hazel Hawthorne sent the address to Sharon Winters. "Call me when you arrive. I’ll come out to meet you."

Sharon Winters was confused when she looked at the address Hazel had sent over. ’This is clearly the address of a luxury villa,’ she thought. ’Why would she be living in a place like this?’

She quickly sent a message, "Hazel, did you send the wrong location?"

"I didn’t send the wrong one. Just follow the directions from the pin. I’ll come get you when you’re here."

Taxis weren’t allowed inside, so Sharon Winters had to get out at the main gate. Hazel Hawthorne lingered in bed for a while longer before casually getting up to tidy up. To prevent Sharon from running into Aiden Xavier when she arrived, Hazel thought for a moment and decided to call him first to tell him not to come home for the next couple of days.

She absolutely did not want Sharon Winters to find out she was Aiden Xavier’s wife.

and now here was Hazel telling him not to come home. He couldn’t help but sneer.

had to endure it. "You’re not wrong," she said. "It’s just that my friend is coming to

up unexpectedly, it’ll be really awkward for her." ’After all, Sharon really dislikes Aiden Xavier. She wouldn’t want to see

friends, too?" Aiden

why wouldn’t I?" Hazel Hawthorne was already angry, but she was terrified Aiden Xavier would deliberately antagonize her by coming home. So, she had to try and placate him first. "Please, just

tell Raina Lowell you could

"That was just a stalling tactic, wasn’t it? You know the power to go through with a divorce isn’t in my hands. I can’t let Raina Lowell keep pestering me. And since this is an issue between you and Raina, it’s best

said, Hazel Hawthorne was quick-witted. She had instantly deduced that when Raina Lowell called Aiden Xavier over last night, it must have

I will absolutely stay out of your business with Raina Lowell. And I already promised you that I wouldn’t divorce you anytime soon, a promise I absolutely intend to keep. So please, just do me this one favor

Xavier snorted

that, Aiden Xavier hung

hanging up on Hazel Hawthorne, Aiden Xavier’s dark

Hawthorne were all it took

something: Why was Hazel Hawthorne so adamant about not letting her friend know he

-------------------------------------

「An hour later.」

Hawthorne saw Sharon Winters get out of the car, she immediately walked over. She wasn’t used to physical intimacy, so she just offered Sharon a smile. "Sharon, you really didn’t have to come

the villa before them, blinking with curiosity. "You live

your family must be loaded. So why are you working

"Let’s go inside first."

Hawthorne didn’t know how to answer and decided to change

had a real Grandma Kettle moment, exclaiming in amazement, "Hazel, your