When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Aiden Xavier, Thanks a Lot

###Chapter 25: Aiden Xavier, Thank You So Very Much!

When Hazel Hawthorne returned home, she saw Fiona Forrest sitting in the living room as a servant gave a report. Ever since she had moved into this house, every servant had been arranged by Fiona; even Aiden Xavier had no right to object.

Hazel Hawthorne was also well aware that the servants would faithfully report everything that happened in the house to Fiona Forrest.

When Fiona Forrest saw Hazel Hawthorne enter, she smiled and beckoned to her. "Hazel, if you’re sick, you should be resting at home. Why are you still going out to work?"

"I’m already fine. It was just a small cold. I probably caught a chill because I forgot to close the window last night. Mom, why didn’t you let me know you were coming? I would have had the kitchen prepare dinner."

Fiona Forrest glanced toward the doorway. "You’re sick. Why didn’t Aiden come back with you? Doesn’t he know sick people need to be taken care of? As your husband, he doesn’t even know something so basic?"

’It sounded like she was scolding Aiden, but Hazel knew Fiona only had one son. How could she truly bear to blame him? It was just her way of letting Hazel know that no matter how many women Aiden had on the side, she was on her side.’

But for that alone, Hazel was still touched.

"Something came up at the company, so Aiden hasn’t left work yet," Hazel said with a smile. ’Besides,’ she thought, ’Aiden is busy with Raina Lowell right now. What time would he have to take care of me? I’m considerate enough not to bother such an exalted personage.’

"You’re just too considerate of Aiden. Do you really think company business can be wrapped up in just a few hours? Taking care of his wife is his responsibility. You can’t let him get away with everything. When you need to put him to work, you put him to work."

Hazel held Fiona’s hand. "Mom, I understand. Don’t worry."

Fiona stared at Hazel for a long moment, then something seemed to occur to her. "Is Aiden with that homewrecker, Raina Lowell? I heard she was hospitalized, too."

Aiden was, in fact, with Raina. ’But even if Mom finds out, it absolutely cannot be from me,’ Hazel thought. She rushed to cover for Aiden, but the faster she reacted, the more suspicious Fiona became. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

"Hazel, are my words just going in one ear and out the other? You’re Aiden’s wife. You need to act like it. Don’t bring shame upon the Xavier family."

With that, Fiona took out her phone. Now certain that Aiden was with Raina, she flew into a rage and dialed his number.

The other end of the line was dead silent. Fiona’s furious voice was like a death summons. "I don’t care where you are. Get back here right now."

Fiona hadn’t even hung up when Aiden received a text. He opened it. It was from Hazel. "Mom’s at the house. She knows you’re with Raina and she’s furious. You’d better get back here and clean up your own mess. I can’t help you with this one."

Aiden put his phone away, his expression unreadable. Raina brought the last dish out from the kitchen and said softly, "Aiden, we can eat now."

"These are all new dishes I learned to make. I’m not sure if you’ll like them. If you don’t, I’ll make something else tomorrow."

"Raina." Aiden suddenly stood up, staring at her for a few seconds. "I have to leave right now."

Raina’s sweet smile didn’t even last ten seconds. She gave a strained laugh and asked, puzzled, "Is there something at the office you need to go handle?"

"Yeah. Something urgent came up at the office." Seeing Raina’s crestfallen face and the way she stared at him, unable to let go, Aiden stepped forward, stroked her hair, and gently pulled her into his arms.

Raina was silent for a long moment before she finally spoke. "Go on, Aiden. You go handle your business. I’ll be fine on my own. Don’t worry about me."

The moment Aiden left, Raina’s face clouded over.

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Hazel was on pins and needles in the living room, not daring to meet Fiona’s eyes. She, after all, had been the first to know Aiden was with Raina, and had even helped him cover for it.

’The quieter it is now, the more terrifying the coming storm will be.’

It was an hour later when Aiden finally rushed back. The moment he stepped in the door, Hazel frantically tried to signal him with her eyes, only to see Fiona snatch a piece of fruit from the coffee table and hurl it straight at him.

Fortunately, Aiden was agile and deftly dodged the attack.

Even as he dodged, he maintained his most handsome look and coolest posture. He strode in with a cool demeanor, but still lowered his head before Fiona and said, "Mother."

Hazel pursed her lips. ’No matter how much of a badass Aiden is, he still has to bow his head obediently before Fiona.’

But undeniably, Aiden was a devoted son. Aside from defying his mother on the matter of Raina Lowell, he almost never went against her wishes.

"Oh, so you do remember I’m your mother? I told you to stop seeing that homewrecker Raina, but you just won’t listen! You insist on defying me, don’t you?" Fiona’s voice was shrill. As Aiden drew closer, she caught the scent of a woman’s perfume on him.

Fiona stepped forward, grabbing Aiden’s shirt. "Only you would like such a cheap-smelling perfume. It’s the kind of trash you’d find on the street that no one would give a second glance."

"What is so great about Raina? Did she cast a spell on you? Did she slip you a love potion? You leave Hazel at home completely ignored while you spend every day with that woman? What, is she on her deathbed or something?" Fiona raged, then turned to look at Hazel with an expression of utter exasperation.

"If you can’t even hold on to your own husband, what good are you?"

Fiona was furious with both of them. No matter what she said, Hazel just stood there listening obediently, while Aiden looked ready to take any scolding or beating she dished out.

"Mom, stay out of my business with Raina. I know what I’m doing, and I have my limits. And as for my promise to have a child with Hazel, you can rest assured. I won’t go back on my word." freeweɓnovel.cøm

Hazel, who had been watching the drama unfold from the sidelines, had almost thought Aiden was being a man for a second, daring to stand up for Raina. But the line he tacked on at the end was completely unnecessary.

’What did he mean, he won’t go back on his word about having a child with me?’

’Right, Aiden won’t go back on his word. And when I can’t get pregnant, he’ll just pin all the blame on me. He gets to play the hero while I’m the villain?’

’His little scheme was so fucking brilliant it was almost admirable.’

Hazel was furious but dared not speak. She couldn’t very well announce in front of Fiona that she had no intention of having a child with Aiden, could she?

’The line of fire was clearly aimed at Aiden right now. If she opened her mouth, all that firepower would probably turn on her.’

Hazel swallowed her anger, forcing herself to hold her tongue. She would have to wait until Fiona left to settle the score with Aiden and demand to know what he meant. Wasn’t having a child just supposed to be a temporary measure?

’Do I really have to give him a child to be able to leave?’

Hazel had no intention of bearing Aiden’s child.

"Mother, you know my character. If I say I’m going to do something, I do it. No one can stop me. So you can rest completely assured. I wouldn’t lie to you about having a child."

Hazel: ’Aiden Xavier, thank you so very much!’

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