When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

###Chapter 27: Worried You’ll Fall in Love with Me?

"I only had the staff bring you a glass of hot milk because you were sick with no one to look after you. You don’t need to make a special trip to thank me. It was no trouble at all." Aiden Xavier glanced at her, then added, "And I never admit I’m wrong about anything I do."

Hearing this, Hazel Hawthorne sneered. Aiden wasn’t just a jerk; he was unbelievably arrogant. She refused to believe that he would go his whole life without ever admitting he was wrong, without ever apologizing. An opportunity would come, and she would be there to see Aiden eat his words.

"Mm, I understand. This is your house. You can stay here if you want; I won’t interfere. But let’s keep things as they were before and not disturb each other’s lives." Hazel wasn’t discussing this with Aiden; she was informing him.

Hazel started to leave, but then she turned back. "By the way, I’m curious—let me ask you a question. Have you realized you seem to be paying a little too much attention to me lately?"

Aiden didn’t need Hazel to point it out; he was already aware of the problem. Lately, it seemed his emotions were all too easily swayed by her.

When Hazel was sick, he would worry. He couldn’t help but stay behind to take care of her. When he found out Fiona Forrest had come to the house, he rushed back in the shortest time possible.

"I’m not trying to imply anything else. I just want to make sure you remember the contract we signed when we got married. We’re not supposed to fall in love with each other."

"Our marriage is fake. Neither of us should catch feelings in this sham of a relationship. We’re both adults, so we should know how to control our emotions. We just need to go back to how things were, staying out of each other’s business and living our own lives without interference."

"A polite, respectful distance is the only way we’ll have any peace."

"I trust you understand what I mean."

Hazel turned to leave, but Aiden’s voice suddenly cut in, a hint of a smile in his tone. "You keep emphasizing this point. Don’t tell me you’re worried *you’re* the one who’s going to fall in love with me?"

Hazel was floored.

"Think whatever you want. I just don’t want unnecessary complications when it comes time for our divorce." Hazel didn’t turn back. "If you can’t appreciate the warning, then just pretend I never said a word."

Hazel paused for a moment. Hearing no reply from Aiden, she strode back to her room. The instant the door clicked shut, she felt so weak that she had to lean against the wall to keep from stumbling.

It was as if Aiden’s words had just exposed the deepest secret hidden in her heart. She gazed around the familiar room, and the anxiety churning inside her slowly began to settle. ’How could I possibly fall in love with Aiden?’

’Aiden’s true love is Raina Lowell. I would never let myself become the other woman, interfering in someone else’s relationship.’ She reminded herself, again and again, that her marriage to Aiden was a sham. She just had to hold on for a little while longer, and then they would get divorced.

’And then, Aiden would marry Raina Lowell.’

Aiden’s simple question left Hazel sleepless.

The next day, she opened her eyes and stared into space for a while. It just proved it: she couldn’t get too close to Aiden.

She needed to fill her empty life with work.

As Hazel was leaving the house, she happened to run into Aiden, who was also on his way out. Her attitude toward him was as cold and distant as ever. She stood a few feet away and gave him a small nod—a greeting one might give a passing acquaintance on the street.

Who would have ever guessed they were husband and wife?

-------------------------------------

Sterling Group.

Sharon Winters looked at Hazel’s face, a concerned frown on her own. "You don’t look well at all. Are you sure you’ve recovered? You could have asked the director for more time off. Why are you pushing yourself so hard to get back to work?"

"I can’t. I’m still an intern, and taking too much time off will affect my performance review. Besides, it was just a little cold. I’m fine now. I probably look pale because I didn’t sleep well last night." Hazel rubbed her eyes.

She had used concealer to cover the dark circles under her eyes that morning, but she hadn’t realized her complexion was still so pale.

Sharon Winters shook her head with a sigh and mused, "Hazel, you really push yourself too hard. But I get it, good jobs are hard to come by, and who knows how many people are eyeing your position. The life of a working stiff is miserable. It’s so much better to be rich."

Hazel didn’t respond. She wasn’t working for the money. She just didn’t want to sit around at home with nothing to do; she wanted a life of her own.

She was still young; she couldn’t just let her life go to waste.

"Well, hard work is what counts." Hazel patted Sharon Winters’s shoulder encouragingly. "Let’s do our best together."

Sharon Winters smiled and turned back to her work.

"Hazel Hawthorne, the Director wants to see you in her office." The speaker was the director’s secretary, who, it seemed, did not like Hazel very much.

Hazel got up, offered her a polite smile, and headed to the director’s office.

When Holly Shaw saw Hazel enter, she took out a few design sketches and laid them flat on her desk. "Come take a look at these for me and tell me what you think."

Hazel glanced at Director Shaw, confused about her intentions. But an order from a superior was an order. After a moment’s hesitation, she stepped forward to carefully examine the three design sketches on the desk.

All three designs featured a blue gemstone as the centerpiece: one was a necklace, one a ring, and the last a pair of earrings.

Hazel studied them for a long moment before pointing to one of the sketches. "Overall, the design of the smaller surrounding diamonds makes the necklace feel heavy. They also tend to overshadow the main stone, drawing attention away from the central blue gemstone and obscuring the main theme."

Holly Shaw’s expression remained neutral as she listened intently. When she saw Hazel pause and look at her, she said in a low voice, "Continue."

"The three designs are meant to be a set. The necklace is too busy, and the earrings are too gaudy. The ring, however, is quite nice. It’s simple yet elegant, which really suits modern tastes."

"What changes would you suggest?"

Hazel frowned slightly. "Director Shaw, this is just my personal opinion. I can only speak for myself, not for the client."

"You can still try voicing your ideas."

Hazel looked troubled. "Director Shaw..." She didn’t even know whose design this was; she didn’t want to make enemies so soon after starting by criticizing it.

Seeing her hesitation, Holly Shaw’s voice grew stern. "Hazel, there’s no need to be so conflicted. I’m just asking for your opinion. You need to understand that your suggestions won’t necessarily be implemented."

"When you’re young and just starting out, you have to learn to seize every chance to prove yourself. An opportunity is right in front of you. I am giving you that chance, a chance to prove your skills to me."

When Hazel had interviewed for the position, she had brought two pieces from her university portfolio. Holly Shaw had been immediately impressed and had kept a special eye on her. That was why, as soon as Hazel was hired, Holly had immediately arranged for her to be placed in her own department.

She had been watching Hazel closely. It wasn’t just because of those impressive designs; Holly Shaw was also curious about what kind of connections Hazel had. After all, a member of upper management had personally called in to request her leave of absence.

"Director Shaw, I understand." Hazel thought for a few seconds before laying out her ideas.

Her slender fingers traced over the sketches as she spoke, explaining her thoughts with a confident air, though she couldn’t help but feel nervous. All the while, she stole glances at Holly Shaw’s expression.

*****