When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

Chapter 53: A Close Call

"You seem very eager to divorce me. Is being married to me really that painful?" Aiden Xavier had anticipated Hazel Hawthorne’s mockery, but he never imagined she would bring up divorce again over Raina Lowell.

Before Raina Lowell’s return, Hazel Hawthorne had always been rational and strictly abided by their agreement. She handled every one of his tabloid scandals flawlessly. In his view, Hazel was indeed a wife who perfectly met his criteria.

Therefore, he had no plans to divorce Hazel Hawthorne for the time being.

Hazel Hawthorne downed the wine in her glass. She asked herself, ’Is being married to Aiden Xavier really so painful?’

In truth, aside from not being a proper husband, Aiden Xavier was perfect in every other way. She could find no fault with him.

Faced with Aiden’s question, Hazel didn’t answer right away. She didn’t know how to respond. ’Could she really admit that she used to be in love with him?’

Back when Aiden Xavier and Raina Lowell were seen by everyone as a match made in heaven, she had already fallen for this man who wasn’t meant for her.

As a child, she had often chased after Aiden Xavier, but never once earned so much as a glance from him. She knew this feeling all too well.

Hazel stared at Aiden’s face, and memories she had long sealed away slowly began to surface. It was this very face that had captivated her throughout her youth.

If Raina Lowell hadn’t come back, she wouldn’t have brought up divorce so frequently.

"You still haven’t answered my question." Aiden seemed to be pressing the issue, determined to get an answer from her.

Aiden’s face was half-hidden in the darkness, and Hazel couldn’t make out his expression. His tone was so calm, leaving her unable to decipher his thoughts. She tried to see into his heart through his eyes, but that was a feat far beyond her. All she could do was let out a helpless sigh.

another glass of wine before speaking slowly. "To be honest, being married to you isn’t painful. On the contrary, it would be a very happy thing, provided you

has no love. It’s like a glass of plain water—completely tasteless," Hazel said indifferently. "The ultimate purpose of

couldn’t deny the truth in

"Do you remember

"I don’t."

years; it was impossible for him to remember every single one. Besides, he already had Raina Lowell by

words that were

"What is it?"

a sip of wine, no longer

his words carefully. "Raina is a very important person to

realized something was wrong, but it was too late to take it back. He didn’t know if Hazel had been listening intently, or if she’d

calm, showing no

years, sitting together, sipping wine, and temporarily forgetting their troubles. They chatted about anything and everything. Hazel would occasionally smile, and at other times, she would just stare blankly

bit too much to drink, Hazel’s mind grew hazy. "It’s getting late. You should go. You have things to deal with when

up slowly. A wave of dizziness from the alcohol hit her, and she nearly lost

into his deep eyes. In their reflection, she could clearly see herself,

cheek. But just as her fingers were about to make contact, she snapped out of

outstretched hand. Forcing herself to stay alert, she walked back to her room step by

enveloped in

but feeling that something

did Hazel finally let

’How could I bring up the past in front of

had signed an agreement before marrying Aiden. She was not allowed to fall in