When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

###Chapter 26: Blessed by the Heavens

Hazel Hawthorne silently thanked Aiden Xavier a million times over. Once she had seen Fiona Forrest out, she shot a dark look at the infuriatingly present Aiden Xavier. "Aiden Xavier, what kind of game are you playing? You know damn well our marriage is fake."

The only thing she didn’t say out loud was, ’How could I possibly have a child for you?’

Aiden Xavier looked at Hazel Hawthorne indifferently, his expression blank as he explained, "I told you, the talk about having a baby was just a stopgap measure. Don’t take it to heart. Besides, if I really wanted a child, it wouldn’t be with you."

His gaze swept up and down her body, as if to say, ’Your figure does absolutely nothing for me. Even if you were standing naked in front of me, I wouldn’t feel a thing. You can rest easy.’

’What a blatant insult.’ Her stunning figure was one of Hazel Hawthorne’s best assets. A body like hers would turn heads on a runway, yet to Aiden Xavier, she was something to be cast aside like an old shoe.

"Fine, fine, fine. I hope it’s just like you said—a stopgap measure. Don’t come back in six months and actually ask me to have your baby. That would be the death of me." Hazel Hawthorne didn’t hold back. Since Aiden Xavier clearly looked down on her, why should she bother being polite?

There was no need to spare the feelings of a man like him.

The corner of Aiden Xavier’s mouth lifted into a sneer. "There are plenty of women lining up to have my children."

And it was true. If Aiden Xavier ever wanted a child, countless women would be lining up for the opportunity. Even if they couldn’t have the man himself, just bearing his child was a winning ticket. Given his immense wealth, he would never shortchange the mother of his child.

"Great. In any case, I’m not having your child, and Raina Lowell can’t give you one either. So go find some other woman to bear it, then bring the baby back for Raina to raise. I think it’s a fantastic plan—kills three birds with one stone. Plus, I can finally divorce you."

Aiden Xavier knew Hazel Hawthorne had always wanted to divorce him. If it weren’t for the Hawthorne Family, Fiona Forrest, and the marriage contract arranged by their elders, she would never have agreed to marry him in the first place.

The air seemed to freeze. Aiden Xavier fell silent, and Hazel Hawthorne realized she might have gone too far. Her lips parted, wanting to say something to ease the tension, but she couldn’t find the words.

’Aiden Xavier is so thick-skinned. There’s no way my words could actually hurt him. If I say more, I’ll just put my foot in it. Better to just shut up.’

"You want to divorce me that badly?" Aiden Xavier’s gaze locked onto Hazel Hawthorne. ’He was handsome and rich, a man women adored. Among women, he was practically a legend. Why was it that after three years together, she still felt nothing for him at all?’

"Marrying me and becoming Mrs. Xavier is a blessing from the heavens. How many women..."

Before Aiden Xavier could finish, Hazel Hawthorne cut him off. "I’ve met narcissists, but never one on your level. Do you think every woman in the world is just waiting to be mesmerized by you? Well, I hate to break it to you, but you’re just not my type."

’As if marrying Aiden Xavier was some great prize she’d won.’

’If it weren’t for Aiden Xavier, she might have met her true love by now.’

’She might even have children, and they’d all be living a happy life together.’

’Instead of this—cleaning up his tabloid scandals and putting on this charade for everyone.’

"Aiden Xavier, I know you have your reasons, and it’s not my place to question them. I just wish that in the future, if you’re going to make a decision that involves me, you could give me a heads-up instead of just dropping it on me like this."

Aiden Xavier was a tyrant. When had he ever needed to consult anyone, let alone get their permission?

"I’m tired. I assume you won’t be staying here tonight. If you’re going to leave, wait half an hour so you don’t run into Mom on your way out. I don’t want to cover for you again." Hazel Hawthorne looked exhausted. It was only a minor cold, but the lack of rest had left her looking pale and drained.

Aiden Xavier stared at Hazel Hawthorne’s retreating figure. She held her back ramrod straight, and he could feel the stubbornness radiating from her.

Hazel Hawthorne was, indeed, a very stubborn person. Once she made up her mind, she would see it through to the bitter end. It was a trait that could be seen as both a strength and a weakness.

Aiden Xavier slowly drew back his gaze. Noticing a servant hovering nearby, he ordered coolly, "I’m not leaving tonight. Heat a glass of milk for Hazel Hawthorne and bring it upstairs."

This house was a wedding gift from Fiona Forrest. He rarely came here, usually staying at his apartment near the office. He only ever spent the night when Fiona Forrest was visiting.

The staff kept the house stocked with his personal belongings, and his bedroom was right next to Hazel’s.

He paused at her door and saw light spilling from the crack underneath. Suddenly recalling the stubbornness in her posture as she had walked away, he zoned out for a moment.

"Young Master." The servant’s voice pulled Aiden Xavier from his thoughts. He looked up, his expression back to its usual indifference. He glanced at the warm milk in the servant’s hand, gave a slight nod, and then pushed open the door to his own room.

Aiden Xavier went out to the balcony for a cigarette. His balcony was connected to Hazel’s, but she had installed a sliding glass door between them to carve out her own space.

The crisp night air was sobering.

Aiden Xavier found himself glancing over at the adjacent balcony again and again. For the past couple of days, images of Hazel Hawthorne had been surfacing in his mind, unbidden. When he was with Raina Lowell, her delicate, almost fragile, demeanor seemed to make him think of Hazel even more.

He thought of how Hazel acted as if nothing was wrong even when she was sick. She was all sharp words and false bravado, a woman covered in thorns.

Raina, on the other hand, was different. A minor cold would become a major event everyone knew about...

Aiden Xavier didn’t know why he was suddenly comparing Raina to Hazel. He was still lost in thought when a ringtone abruptly shattered the room’s silence.

Aiden Xavier stubbed out his cigarette. It was the custom ringtone he’d set for Raina Lowell; only her calls made that sound.

"Aiden, are you still busy?"

Lying on the sofa, Aiden Xavier glanced at the clock on the wall. "It’s late. Why are you still awake?"

"I was waiting for you," Raina Lowell said, her soft voice filled with anticipation. "Are you coming home tonight?"

"Not tonight. I’m staying at the office. You should get some sleep."

"Why—?"

Aiden Xavier cut her off, hanging up impatiently. Someone was knocking at his door.

The light in the adjacent room was still on. Aiden Xavier got up nonchalantly to open the door, a surprisingly good mood evident in his movements.

Hazel Hawthorne, changed into her pajamas, stood at his doorway. Seeing he clearly had no intention of leaving, she demanded, "Why are you still here?"

"What’s it to you whether I leave or not?" Aiden Xavier couldn’t understand her. "Even if we’re just a fake couple, you can’t kick me out of this house."

"That’s not it. I’m just wondering... Raina Lowell is back, so why are you hanging around here instead of being with her?" She paused, remembering the milk. "You even had someone bring me milk. What exactly are you trying to say, Aiden Xavier? Is this your way of apologizing for your high-handedness?"

*****