When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

### Chapter 38: Have You Fallen in Love with Her?

Xavier Group, CEO’s Office.

Aiden Xavier was standing before the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing down at the scenery outside when the harsh sound of a kicked-open door shattered his thoughts. Julian Sterling strode in, a disgruntled look on his face, complaining as he walked.

"What the hell were you doing last night? Never mind the chaos at the bar—after you left, your precious darling just cried and cried in front of me. It drove me nuts. If she weren’t your girl, I would’ve just ditched her there and gone home."

"I’m really curious, how do you put up with Raina Lowell? I’ve never met anyone who can cry more than she does." Julian shuddered at the memory. "Anyway, if a woman like that were around me, she’d eventually cry herself to death from my teasing."

Last night, after Aiden Xavier had dumped Raina Lowell on Julian Sterling, he had been busy searching for Hazel Hawthorne. Raina had called him many times, but he hadn’t answered any of them. He had assumed Julian had already taken Raina home long ago.

Seeing that he remained silent, Julian couldn’t help but continue his rant. "From now on, you can take care of your own woman. I’m not taking on that job again. It’s exhausting. I’ve dated so many women, and I’ve never met anyone like Raina Lowell."

No matter what he said, Raina Lowell just remained immersed in her own sorrow. She was the classic inconsolable type. You could talk until you were blue in the face, and she’d act like you were just spouting nonsense.

Julian later figured that if it had been Aiden Xavier, Raina Lowell probably wouldn’t have been crying.

That’s why it was such a headache for him—he wasn’t the one in Raina Lowell’s heart.

"So when did you two finally leave?"

"I don’t know. All I did was drop her off at home. But you still haven’t contacted Raina Lowell?" Julian was curious. He didn’t know about Hazel Hawthorne’s disappearance last night. He looked at Aiden Xavier seriously. "What on earth was so important that you’d abandon Raina Lowell to deal with it?"

Back in Freyburg, Aiden Xavier would drop everything at work and rush back just because Raina Lowell had a minor cold. But last night, he’d actually ditched her with him.

"Hazel Hawthorne was taken last night."

The moment Julian heard this, he immediately connected it to the chaotic scene at the bar. He had been so focused on getting Raina Lowell home that he hadn’t paid much attention, but he knew something had definitely happened at the bar last night.

He just hadn’t connected it to Aiden Xavier and Hazel Hawthorne.

Aiden Xavier briefly explained what had happened last night. Julian listened with great interest, then suddenly asked, "Since when did Hazel Hawthorne have the power to make you abandon Raina Lowell?"

Aiden Xavier turned around and stared impassively at Julian’s undisguisedly gossipy expression. He was silent for a long time before Julian spoke again with a grin, "Could it be that you’ve fallen in love with Hazel Hawthorne and don’t even realize it?"

"Otherwise, why would you ditch Raina Lowell to go find Hazel Hawthorne? That’s not your style."

Julian turned and sat on the sofa. He didn’t expect Aiden to answer, just watched him with a knowing, enigmatic smile that greatly annoyed Aiden. "Hazel Hawthorne is my wife. She went missing. Shouldn’t I go looking for her?"

Julian clicked his tongue, not buying Aiden’s explanation. "Really? Just because she’s your wife? And not for some other reason?"

"Believe it or not."

"You’re no fun at all. Do you even believe that yourself?" Julian said, crossing his legs. "I, for one, think Hazel Hawthorne is great. Compared to Raina Lowell, I much prefer Hazel."

The moment he heard Julian say he liked Hazel, Aiden’s expression instantly changed. His gaze turned sharp, as if Julian were about to steal his wife, which in turn left Julian a little stunned.

Julian couldn’t make sense of Aiden’s look. "Hey, don’t look at me like that. Anyone who didn’t know better would think I was actually trying to steal your wife." After a pause, Julian’s nonchalant attitude returned. "Anyway, you and Hazel Hawthorne only have a contract marriage. If you two get a divorce..."

Before he could even finish, Aiden answered without a moment’s hesitation, "We will never get a divorce."

The firm reply left Julian stunned.

After a moment, Aiden also realized his words had been too definitive. Julian was right; he and Hazel Hawthorne did indeed have a contract marriage.

Julian gave a dry laugh. "I was just kidding. Why are you being so serious?"

Seeing Aiden’s reaction, Julian feared his good friend had developed feelings for Hazel Hawthorne without even realizing it. He was just about to give Aiden a friendly reality check.

But then he heard Aiden say, "You’re right about one thing, but I will absolutely never fall in love with Hazel Hawthorne."

...

Sometimes, Julian really couldn’t figure out what was going on in Aiden’s head. If he didn’t like Hazel Hawthorne, why was he so concerned about her and her safety?

It was completely out of character for Aiden. He never cared about anyone who was insignificant to him.

Julian chuckled. "Well, it’s your business. Say what you want. But I’ll give you one piece of genuine advice: Hazel Hawthorne is definitely better than Raina Lowell."

* * *

After waking up at the hotel, Hazel Hawthorne was driven home by Aiden Xavier. The first thing she did when she got back was take a bath, desperate to wash off the strange, unpleasant smell clinging to her. She couldn’t get the images from last night out of her mind.

Especially that ugly face, so close to hers. For her, it was more terrifying than any nightmare.

The lewd actions and vulgar laughter... Hazel shivered with revulsion every time she thought about it.

Soaking in the tub, she tried to carefully recall what happened after Aiden Xavier arrived. But no matter how hard she tried, she could only remember fragments, bits and pieces. Still, she remembered Aiden dumping her in the bathtub.

Suddenly, a new image flashed into her mind.

She had... touched Aiden Xavier? And clung to him? It seemed she had even tried to take off his clothes...

Hazel Hawthorne reached up and touched her cheek. It was burning hot. She glanced at the closed window. ’I must not have opened the window,’ she thought. ’It’s stuffy in this bathroom.’

She opened the window and waited a moment, but her cheeks were still scorching.

She scooped up some water and repeatedly splashed it on her face. Besides her burning cheeks, her heart was also racing. The image of her forcing herself on Aiden Xavier wouldn’t leave her mind. Every time she remembered her actions, her heart would speed up.

’Oh my god, what did I do to Aiden Xavier last night?’

’No wonder Aiden was deliberately keeping his distance from me today. Is he worried I’ll try something again?’

Hazel angrily slapped the water, and the splash got into her eyes. As she rubbed them, she tried to force herself to stop thinking about last night.

’It was all stuff I did while I wasn’t in my right mind. I’m sure Aiden will understand!’

Suddenly, the phone next to her rang, making Hazel jump.

She picked up the phone. It was a call from Aiden Xavier.

Hazel felt too guilty to answer. This morning, when she had faced Aiden, she hadn’t yet remembered forcing herself on him, so she had been perfectly calm. But now that she remembered, she couldn’t face him with a clear conscience.

Even just hearing his voice would make her heart race.

To Hazel, the ringing phone was a hot potato. She was tempted to just go all the way and toss it into the water.

* * *