When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

###Chapter 49 Human Shield

Aiden Xavier’s timing was perfect, but it meant Hazel Hawthorne was exhausted from running. She braced one hand against the car window, gazing breathlessly at the dapper Aiden Xavier. Panting, she said, "What’s so urgent that you needed me to come down this very second?"

"Raina Lowell is throwing a fit about being discharged. I ran into paparazzi downstairs. I need you with me so I can go up."

Doubt filled Hazel Hawthorne’s face, and anger flared in her wide eyes. She stared at Aiden Xavier in disbelief. "Just for this? If there are paparazzi at the entrance, just find another way up. Don’t tell me they’re covering every single entrance."

"Correct. If I go see her alone, the paparazzi will have a field day. If you’re with me, it’s explainable."

Hazel Hawthorne’s expression was one of pure impatience. She could have accepted running down here if it had been for something truly important. But no, it was just because Raina Lowell was throwing a fit, and he was in such a rush to pacify her that he had to drag Hazel along.

"Aiden Xavier, the world doesn’t revolve around you. You’re free to revolve around Raina Lowell, and I won’t get in your way. But she’s your problem, not mine. I have no obligation to humor this insanity."

Hazel Hawthorne reined in her anger, keeping her tone toward Aiden Xavier just barely under control. "You’re Aiden Xavier. If you want to get in, you’ll find a way. You don’t need me."

"Your time is precious, and so is mine." Hazel Hawthorne stared intently at Aiden Xavier and took a deep breath. "I’ve told you before, I don’t want to be involved with you and Raina Lowell. Can you please keep me out of your business with her?"

"Get in the car." It was as if Aiden Xavier hadn’t heard a word she’d said, his resolve that she would accompany him unshaken.

Hazel Hawthorne stood outside the car, her anger flaring at his unyielding attitude. She was about to turn and walk away when she heard Aiden Xavier say impassively, "Your father asked me for another hundred million the day before yesterday."

Hazel Hawthorne froze mid-step. She turned back slowly. "Why didn’t I know about this?"

"Since when does your father ask for your permission to take my money?" Aiden Xavier retracted his gaze. "The agreement is very clear. There are necessary occasions where your presence is required."

"And visiting Raina Lowell is a ’necessary occasion’?" Hazel Hawthorne’s face was livid. She couldn’t believe Harrison Hawthorne had gone to Aiden Xavier for money again.

"Correct."

Hazel Hawthorne let out a cold snort and fell silent.

Aiden Xavier added flatly, "If we keep standing here talking, someone is bound to spot us."

At his words, Hazel Hawthorne was left speechless. The area was bustling with people; it was true they could easily be seen.

Since it was unavoidable, Hazel Hawthorne resigned herself to it. She got in the car and sat beside Aiden Xavier, her expression blank as she said coolly, "Don’t forget what you promised me."

Aiden Xavier slowly opened his eyes. "I haven’t forgotten."

Hazel Hawthorne was going to destroy the Hawthorne Family with her own hands.

When they arrived back at the hospital entrance, Aiden Xavier deliberately paused for a few seconds in front of Hazel Hawthorne as he got out of the car. His gaze lowered, flicking to her hand.

Hazel Hawthorne immediately took the hint, raising her hand to link her arm with his. They looked just like a loving, devoted couple.

A paparazzi’s shutter snapped rapidly. CLICK. CLICK. The moment was captured.

Hearing the tell-tale clicks, Hazel Hawthorne glanced up at Aiden Xavier and sneered, "Young Master Xavier’s love life is as sensational as any movie star’s. The paparazzi follow you everywhere."

Aiden Xavier knew she was mocking him and didn’t deign to argue.

"Of course, besides all his flings, Young Master Xavier also has his ’white moonlight’." When Aiden Xavier ignored her, Hazel Hawthorne continued to mutter to herself, a bright smile on her face. To any onlooker, it would seem as if she and Aiden Xavier were having a delightful conversation.

"The other women aren’t as lucky as Raina Lowell, are they? You even dragged me here to act as a human shield, all to protect her." Hazel Hawthorne clicked her tongue. Catching a glimpse of Aiden Xavier’s utterly indifferent expression out of the corner of her eye, she instantly lost the will to speak.

’Putting on a one-woman show gets tiring after a while,’ she thought. ’It’s no fun when no one plays along.’

Standing at the door to the hospital room, Hazel Hawthorne could hear Raina Lowell arguing with the private nurse inside. She could perfectly picture the expression on Raina’s face, but she also knew that no matter how ferocious it was now, it would melt into one of pitiful helplessness the second Aiden Xavier appeared.

’I’ve never been able to figure it out,’ Hazel Hawthorne mused. ’Does Aiden Xavier just have a thing for the damsel-in-distress type, or is that a weakness all men share?’

Just as she’d predicted, Aiden Xavier paused at the door for several seconds. Hazel Hawthorne instinctively released his arm, giving a dismissive purse of her lips. "You think I actually like holding onto you?" she whispered.

Aiden Xavier glanced back at Hazel Hawthorne rolling her eyes at him before pushing the door open and entering.

Raina Lowell was a beautiful, weeping mess. The moment Aiden Xavier appeared, she threw herself into his arms. Leaning against his chest, she was sobbing too hard to form a single word, her sorrow expressed only through the stream of her tears.

Then she saw Hazel Hawthorne trailing behind him. The look Raina Lowell shot Hazel was no longer pitiful, but sharp and vicious. She couldn’t believe Hazel Hawthorne had actually come along!

Hazel Hawthorne met her gaze, seeing the flash of disgust and hatred in her eyes. ’I don’t get why Raina Lowell resents me so much,’ she thought. ’So what if I married Aiden Xavier? We’re going to get divorced eventually. Her real enemy should be whoever ends up with him for good.’

’What’s it got to do with me?’

Hazel Hawthorne walked in and made herself at home. The private nurse, who hadn’t seen her on her previous visit, didn’t know who she was. Seeing this woman sit down on the sofa with such calm composure, the nurse couldn’t help stealing a few curious glances.

Hazel Hawthorne gave the nurse a small smile, then lowered her head and quietly busied herself with her phone.

’I’m just the human shield Aiden Xavier dragged here, after all. The only reason for me to be here is to show the paparazzi outside that I came with him to visit the ailing Raina Lowell.’

’As long as we don’t give them a story, it’s fine.’

Hazel Hawthorne did her best to fade into the background, but a message from Sharon Winters delivered a piece of shocking news. She never imagined something so unexpected could happen in the short time she’d been gone.

Hazel Hawthorne shot to her feet. Nearby, Raina Lowell was still nestled in Aiden Xavier’s arms, the two of them lost in a lovey-dovey, inseparable embrace. Without sparing Aiden Xavier a glance, Hazel announced, "I have to get back to the office. Right now."

"Wait, we’ll go together. I’ll give you a ride," Aiden Xavier said, looking up with narrowed eyes.

Hazel Hawthorne’s resentment toward Aiden Xavier was palpable. "I’m not asking. I’m telling you I’m leaving—immediately. I’m not waiting for you to give me a ride."

Her reaction was jarring. A moment ago she had been quietly sitting on the sidelines, and now she was agitated. Aiden Xavier released Raina Lowell and grabbed Hazel’s arm. "Did something happen?"

Hazel Hawthorne glared viciously at him. "If something did, it’s none of your business. I’ll say it one last time: I’m leaving by myself. You just stay here and take care of Raina Lowell. I don’t need you."

With that final declaration, Hazel Hawthorne bolted from the room. The paparazzi lying in wait, both outside the room and at the hospital’s main entrance, saw her distraught state and immediately started snapping photos.

*****