When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

Chapter 78: Do You Really Have to Go?

When Finn Quinn arrived at the apartment to pick up Aiden Xavier, he saw Raina Lowell standing before him, sobbing. He was too far away to hear what she was saying to Aiden. Believing a subordinate shouldn’t meddle in his boss’s affairs, he simply stood under a tree and waited quietly.

With Raina Lowell showing up at a time like this, he wondered if they would still be able to go to Freyburg.

Raina Lowell held an extraordinary place in Aiden Xavier’s heart. Seeing her sobbing like that, Finn figured she was probably trying to keep Aiden in Kenport.

Finn Quinn thought he was pretty clever for figuring it out.

He thought Aiden hadn’t seen him, but in fact, Aiden had spotted him long ago. Even from a great distance, Finn could feel Aiden’s cold, terrifying gaze. He shivered and glanced timidly in Aiden’s direction.

Aiden stared at Raina Lowell, his face impassive. Each word he spoke cut deeper than the last. "I have to go to Freyburg. If you can’t sleep tonight, binge-watch a show."

"Binge-watch a show? You’re telling me to pull an all-nighter watching a show instead of sleeping? You’d rather I lose sleep than stay here with me?" Raina’s heart ached. She knew better than anyone why Aiden was so desperate to get to Freyburg.

She had thought it all through on her way over. If Aiden stayed in Kenport for her, then Hazel Hawthorne would be unharmed. But if she couldn’t make him stay... it would prove that Hazel’s place in his heart had already surpassed her own.

’How could she allow such a threat to persist?’

"Aiden, how could you say such hurtful things? What’s so important in Freyburg that you have to rush over in the middle of the night?" Raina gripped Aiden’s hand tightly.

"What are you trying to say?" Aiden keenly sensed the implication behind her words. He shot back with a chilling tone that left Raina momentarily stunned.

After a moment, Raina said slowly, "I know Hazel Hawthorne is in Freyburg on business. You’re in such a rush to get there... you’re going to see her." She paused, then added, "Don’t lie and say it’s about work. You already took care of all that."

off Aiden’s next excuse. She was forcing him to admit that he was rushing to Freyburg in

stay, he wouldn’t admit the truth so blatantly. But when she heard his answer, her mind went

me... just to go find

his expression turning to one of clear annoyance.

Maybe this so-called ’something happened’ is just a trick to lure you over there. She just wants me to know that she has a place in your heart too,

couldn’t decipher. His voice was so

me. She says she wishes us well, but deep down, she

person," Aiden stated with

first time he’d put his faith in Hazel. "Aiden, if you go and discover this is all just

from Raina’s grasp. Seeing this from afar, Finn immediately pulled the car

without a backward glance. Raina stood rooted to the spot, her figure forlorn as she watched his back, watched the car until it vanished

you really that desperate to get to her

really that important to

’Hazel Hawthorne!’

clenched teeth. ’Her very existence is the biggest obstacle

***

Creston Hotel. Holly Shaw emerged from a nearby stairwell, her expression frantic. She spoke in a rush, "I’ve already called

dispatched all his personnel in Freyburg to find Hazel. He refused to believe she could simply vanish in the city, and he vowed to unmask whoever had taken

in a daze. Her head throbbed, making it impossible to recall what had happened. She took a careful look at her surroundings. From the decor, it was

who brought me here?’ she wondered. She didn’t have any enemies in Freyburg. Who would play

person meant her harm, yet

soul in sight. She was completely alone. Rubbing her aching head, she walked to the door and tried the handle. It