When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

### Chapter 97: That Damn Couple

"Hazel, my boyfriend recommended this place. He said their Japanese food is amazing. To thank you for helping me get my job back, I really broke the bank to bring you here. So don’t eat too much, you know how broke I am."

"If you know you’re broke, then why come to such an expensive place?" Hazel Hawthorne rolled her eyes. "Are you treating me to dinner just to tell me I can’t enjoy it?"

Sharon Winters linked her arm through Hazel’s intimately, and the two walked into the restaurant, laughing. "I came here once before with my boyfriend. The food was so good, I just had to share it with you. I didn’t even invite Nathan and the others, just to save some cash."

Seeing Sharon’s penny-pinching act, Hazel couldn’t help but laugh.

Just as Sharon was looking for a table, she suddenly froze. Then, without a second thought, she started dragging Hazel toward the exit. "Hazel, I just remembered another Japanese place that’s also delicious. Let’s go there instead. I’m suddenly thinking this place is just so-so."

Hazel stopped short at the entrance. "We’re already here, why are we leaving? Isn’t that a hassle? Let’s just eat here. Are you worried you don’t have enough money? It’s fine, my treat. I’m actually in the mood for Japanese food."

Hazel started dragging Sharon inside. Seeing the two of them pulling each other back and forth, the hostess at the entrance immediately approached. "Ladies, please come in. We have plenty of open tables for you to choose from."

"I’d recommend a window seat. After eight o’clock, you’ll get a great view of the city at night. We have the best spot for viewing the Kenport skyline."

Sharon grabbed Hazel, refusing to budge an inch. Exhausted, Hazel stopped to catch her breath. "Why are you suddenly so dead set against going in? You didn’t see something you weren’t supposed to, did you? Did you spot your boyfriend?"

Hazel was grinning, but Sharon looked awkward. She had already seen Raina Lowell walking toward them. Before Sharon could say a word, Raina’s voice sounded from behind Hazel.

"I never thought we’d run into you here," Raina said, smiling cheerfully at Sharon. When Hazel turned around, she continued, "Aiden and I will never be able to finish all this food. Why don’t you join us?"

"No, thanks," Sharon refused immediately, trying to pull Hazel away.

But unexpectedly, Hazel’s feet felt glued to the floor. She stared right back at Raina’s provocative gaze and sneered. "No need. We wouldn’t want to interrupt your date, now would we?"

"Oh, it’s no bother. This restaurant is quite expensive; I’m not sure you can afford it on your own. You should just join us. I’m sure Aiden won’t mind."

"Who says we can’t afford it? Don’t you look down on people." Sharon stepped in front of Hazel, glaring at Raina. "The only reason you can afford to be here is because you’re with Aiden Xavier! You’re just using his money, aren’t you? You have the nerve to say that to us?"

Raina’s face went grim.

"I have never met a woman as shameless as you, openly trying to seduce someone else’s husband. Do you have a thing for married men? Hazel is being the bigger person by not stooping to your level, but you can’t just keep pushing it."

Sharon’s words made Raina’s expression grow even uglier.

Hazel let go of Sharon’s hand and stepped in front of Raina. She looked down at her and said with a smile, "Running into you here... it must be fate. It just goes to show how deeply connected we all are. I think I should go and say hello to Aiden."

"Hazel!" Raina cried out. ’She had only wanted to make it clear that she was with Aiden, to make Hazel know her place and leave them alone. She never expected Hazel to actually go over and greet him.’

Aiden had no idea Hazel was there.

Raina was completely unable to stop Hazel.

Hazel was already in front of Aiden. He was gently wiping his hands with a napkin. He looked up, clearly surprised to see her. But when he saw Raina trailing behind, understanding dawned on his face.

"Well, well, Aiden Xavier. What a coincidence." Hazel crossed her arms and shot him a disdainful look. "Kenport is a big city, yet we just had to run into you here." All the goodwill he had managed to build up with her over the past few days vanished into thin air.

’How could she let Aiden ruin her entire day? She had been wondering if he was just too busy to contact her, but no, he was busy entertaining Raina. It turned out that for the past few days, Aiden had just been using her as a distraction.’

A cold smile touched Hazel’s lips. "Aiden, if I’m not mistaken, this is a public place."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Aiden knew exactly what she was implying. He had demanded that she watch her conduct in public, and now she had just caught him having dinner with Raina.

Suddenly, Hazel’s association with Nathan seemed completely innocent compared to him being alone with Raina. After all, Hazel had never had dinner alone with Nathan.

At least, Aiden had never personally caught Hazel alone with Nathan.

"Hazel," Aiden said, his voice low.

Hazel gave Aiden a cold, disgusted look. "Well, I won’t disturb your sweet little dinner."

She turned to leave. Aiden started to go after her, but Raina stopped him. "Aiden, you just told me you had no feelings for Hazel. So why do you care what she thinks now? Are you that scared of her seeing us together?"

Hazel hadn’t gone far when she heard Raina’s words. She couldn’t help but slow down, thinking Aiden would offer some explanation. But when no sound came from him, she subconsciously picked up her pace and walked straight out of the restaurant.

’Hazel felt ridiculous. After spending the last few days with Aiden, she’d actually thought he was being nice to her. She’d almost deluded herself into thinking he might even have... other feelings for her. Turns out, it was all in her imagination.’

’She had been the one with wishful thinking, completely misinterpreting his behavior over the past few days.’

’Maybe Aiden had only been spending time with her to make Raina jealous.’

’Thinking about it like that, it all clicked into place. Aiden must have gotten into a fight with Raina over going to Freyburg to find her. So when Raina ignored him, he just used Hazel to make her jealous. And wasn’t it working perfectly? There they were now, having a calm dinner together.’

’Aiden hadn’t contacted her today because he and Raina had already made up.’

’This was good. At least now she wouldn’t have to drive herself crazy overthinking Aiden’s strange behavior anymore.’

She wandered aimlessly down the street. ’She had wanted to pursue Aiden as revenge against Raina, but what happened instead? It seemed she was the one who couldn’t control her own feelings.’

Sharon came running out of the restaurant and jogged to catch up to Hazel. Blocking her path, she demanded, "You’re just going to leave? You’re going to let that damn couple enjoy their meal in peace?"

*****