When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

Chapter 93: The Cherished Jewelry Box

Hazel was confused about why Aiden had been so idle lately, but she resisted the urge to ask. She had long since grown accustomed to not prying into his private affairs. In her view, unless Aiden brought something up himself, she wouldn’t be the one to ask.

This time, however, Hazel felt Aiden was making a mountain out of a molehill. Her dinner with Nathan was just a normal social outing, but to Aiden, it was as if they were having an affair. She wasn’t him; she could survive just fine without a man, unlike him who couldn’t seem to live without a woman.

She had lived all these years without a man just fine. Besides, her being friends with Nathan was also to avoid hurting his feelings. She had told him long ago that if he didn’t want to be just friends, she wouldn’t force it.

She never wanted to hurt anyone who cared for her, so she did her best to protect the people she held dear.

"You’re always sticking up for Nathan. I’m not interested in what’s going on between you two, but let me give you a ’friendly’ reminder: don’t you dare do anything to disgrace the Xavier Family."

Hazel scoffed internally but replied calmly, "Oh, thank you. Thank you so much for your ’friendly’ reminder. Without it, who knows? Nathan and I might have actually headed in the direction you’re imagining."

Rebuffed by Hazel again, Aiden seethed. He couldn’t stand the way she always defended Nathan. Nathan wasn’t as handsome or as capable as him, so he couldn’t understand why she would protect Nathan in front of him.

Because Hazel constantly defended Nathan, Aiden was convinced there was something more between them. He figured that since he and Hazel weren’t divorced yet, the two were probably just carrying on in secret.

Once suspicion takes root in a person’s mind, it’s hard to get rid of. It was just like this with Hazel and Nathan. The first time Aiden saw them together, a seed of doubt was planted, and from then on, no matter what they did, his first thought was always that something was off.

Hazel, having a clear conscience, wasn’t afraid of Aiden’s wild imagination or his attempts to play matchmaker where there was no match. She knew that trying to explain herself would only complicate matters further.

was impossible to keep up. She’d often

make

needed to cling to Aiden to survive, she didn’t want to truly anger him

of this, Hazel could only try to focus on the times he treated her well. It was the only way to forget the infuriating expression he’d just had

saw was Hazel’s silence, unaware of her inner turmoil. "What,

look like I want to talk to you right now? What happened to your cold, aloof act? Why’d you drop

"You think I’m nagging?"

nagging, but you’re rambling on and on. It’s just Nathan, isn’t it? What exactly did he do to piss you off? You seem to have

roll. "Be a man, don’t be so petty. Nathan is a perfectly decent guy. He’s always respectful whenever he sees you. What more do you want? Do

spoke, the more ridiculous she sounded. Aiden let

Nathan had offended him, when in reality, he was just uncomfortable with how

be bothered to argue with her. As long as Hazel was his wife, no other man

become a common occurrence. Not only had he gotten used to it, but so had Hazel and the household staff. Seeing the two of them return together, the staff immediately greeted them with beaming smiles. It seemed this villa, which

again. But as she was returning to her room, he

looked at Aiden in confusion. "What are

in my room. I can’t sleep there

Hazel asked blankly, "So?"

stay here for the night." With that, Aiden shoved the

’What a scoundrel.’

their way into someone else’s room