When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

### Chapter 5: Mr. Xavier, I Know My Place

Hazel Hawthorne had a particular quirk.

Those who didn’t know her well would think she was good-tempered. She could keep her composure whether she was being cheated on or provoked by the other woman on her own doorstep. But anyone who had truly spent time with Hazel Hawthorne knew it wasn’t that she had a good temper—she was just too lazy to get into it.

However, if someone repeatedly pushed her buttons, not even God himself could save them.

Hazel Hawthorne’s lips curled into a smile. She blinked at Raina Lowell and said, "Ms. Lowell, you were just saying how attentive my husband is. If he’s really that attentive, how did you end up getting sick? I suppose people just love to flaunt what they lack the most, don’t they?"

Raina Lowell hadn’t expected Hazel Hawthorne to drop all pretenses so directly, without even sparing Aiden Xavier’s feelings.

With tears welling in her eyes, she turned to Aiden Xavier and apologized softly, "Aiden, I’m sorry. I just suddenly thought of the past, I didn’t mean to bring it up in front of Ms. Hawthorne... I didn’t realize she would get so angry. It’s all my fault..."

"Ms. Lowell, I’m not angry."

Hazel maintained a faint smile. "I’m just feeling indignant on your behalf. Look, you’ve been abroad all this time. Meanwhile, Aiden Xavier has gotten married and even taken a mistress. And you’re the only one still hung up on the past, Ms. Lowell. After all you just said, did he even give you the time of day?"

Raina Lowell timidly lowered her head, biting her lip as fat tears rolled down her cheeks. "I know it’s inappropriate for someone like me to be staying in your marital home, Ms. Hawthorne. If you don’t welcome me, I’ll leave. You don’t have to kick me out..."

Hazel just said, "Oh," then added bluntly, "If you truly feel uncomfortable and want to leave, Ms. Lowell, then by all means. I won’t see you out."

"Hazel."

Aiden Xavier said coolly, his gaze a clear warning. "Don’t take it too far."

Raina Lowell started to feel a little scared. She hadn’t expected Hazel Hawthorne to not even make a token effort to ask her to stay.

She said guiltily, "I... I’m only staying here because I’m not well. I didn’t mean to disturb Ms. Hawthorne."

Hazel Hawthorne raised an eyebrow. "So, you’re not leaving after all?"

Seeing Raina Lowell’s humiliated expression, she smiled. "Then maybe you shouldn’t say so much!"

Ignoring Aiden Xavier’s dark, stern expression, she picked up her purse from the table and headed for the door.

To her surprise, Aiden Xavier chased after her, grabbing her by the arm.

Hazel Hawthorne glanced down at his hand, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Mr. Xavier, what do you think you’re doing? Aren’t you afraid your first love will get jealous?"

Aiden Xavier’s eyes narrowed. He was a head taller than Hazel Hawthorne, and standing over her like this, he exuded a natural air of authority.

"What are you angry about? Because Raina provoked you, or..."

His deep, cold eyes flickered as he asked tentatively, "Are you jealous?"

Hazel Hawthorne looked as if she’d just heard the funniest joke in the world. She looked up at him and shot back, "Mr. Xavier, I know my place."

"Ours is just a sham marriage. I’ve never once considered myself Mrs. Xavier."

She struggled to pull her arm free, but to no avail. Frowning in annoyance, she snapped, "Let go of me!"

But Aiden Xavier simply shoved her into the car. He turned to the driver and commanded, "To the hospital."

Hazel Hawthorne’s eyes widened in exasperation. "Aiden Xavier, are you insane? What hospital?"

"If you have this much free time, you’d be better off signing the divorce papers. Harrison Hawthorne borrowed the money, not me. If you want your money, go get it from him. Kill him, cut him up, chop off his fingers or rip off his arms—do whatever you want. Just leave me out of it."

But Aiden Xavier was like a statue, completely unmoving. He merely shot a displeased look at the driver. "What are you waiting for?"