When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

Chapter 101: I Don’t Care What He Likes

What no one knew was that Hazel Hawthorne was also one of Aiden Xavier’s many admirers. She had simply buried her feelings deep inside. She understood very well what it took to stay by Aiden’s side longer, and she knew that voicing certain feelings would only lead to greater regret.

Was there any feeling more perfect than a secret crush? You could savor a one-sided love where all the pain and joy were yours alone. No one could give you false hope, and you would never have to feel utter despair.

Hazel Hawthorne sat in the office as if she were a different person. She remained quietly at her desk all morning, not saying a word even after finishing the design drafts Holly Shaw needed. Sharon Winters called out to her several times but got no response.

So, Sharon Winters went back to her own work and didn’t try talking to Hazel again.

A sudden message popped into Hazel’s view. She tapped on it and saw it was a text from Raina Lowell. Acting on a strange impulse, she opened it, only to find a photo of Aiden Xavier walking out of a bathroom, wrapped in a towel.

Hazel’s heart had already grown cold the night before, but seeing Raina’s provocative message now, she still felt a tremor inside. She quickly closed the message, not knowing how to respond to Raina.

’Last night, Aiden left our home to go find Raina. A man and a woman, alone in a room together...’ Hazel’s mind was already painting a vivid picture of what could have happened.

Agitated, she left the office and went to the outer balcony for some fresh air. Thankfully, few people ever came here. It was her go-to spot whenever she was upset.

Hazel stood at the edge of the balcony, her hands resting on the railing. ’The truth is, I really want to divorce Aiden right now. I don’t want to keep being provoked by Raina like this, especially when I have no way to even fight back.’

"Hazel?" A familiar, low voice suddenly sounded from behind, making Hazel jump. She whipped around to see Julian Sterling standing not far away with his hands behind his back, looking at her quizzically. "I thought my eyes were deceiving me."

"Mr. Sterling."

head, looking a little embarrassed as he walked over to Hazel’s side. "We don’t have to be so formal. You’re Aiden’s wife, after all. You can just call me

office,"

Julian waved her objection away. "It’s just the two of us here, and we’re friends. It’s fine to use my name. No one

about what to call him. Since he had arrived, she decided to leave,

second you see me? Did I interrupt you?" Julian looked at Hazel, puzzled. "You look like you have something on your

lines. He stated proudly, "It must be Aiden. He’s the one who upset you. Sigh, Aiden’s great at everything, except

Sterling," Hazel said, giving him a weary

"Normally, I wouldn’t meddle in your and Aiden’s affairs, but I really think that if you’re unhappy with him about something, you have to tell him. His emotional intelligence is so low, how else

nothing wrong between

look that said, *’I know everything, so don’t even try to hide it from me.’* He chuckled. "That look on your face tells me that’s not true." After a pause, he lowered his voice and asked, "Why don’t you tell

finally couldn’t help but retort, "You should take a look

muttered to himself, "Is it that obvious? But gossip about Aiden is always top-tier. Of

pointless conversation with Julian. Deciding she’d had

with

after just a few words. Aiden would never like someone like you. Look

into her back. She spun around, stared straight at him, and said, enunciating every word, "Raina is Raina. I am me. I will never treat Aiden the

to compare you to Raina. I was just trying to tell you

have to do with me? I don’t even like him, so I don’t care what he likes. I

"..."

The corner of his mouth twitched, and he immediately