When the Contract Marriage Ended, He Stayed

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Almost Exposed

### Chapter 53: A Close Call

"You seem very eager to divorce me. Is being married to me really that painful?" Aiden Xavier had anticipated Hazel Hawthorne’s mockery, but he never imagined she would bring up divorce again over Raina Lowell.

Before Raina Lowell’s return, Hazel Hawthorne had always been rational and strictly abided by their agreement. She handled every one of his tabloid scandals flawlessly. In his view, Hazel was indeed a wife who perfectly met his criteria.

Therefore, he had no plans to divorce Hazel Hawthorne for the time being.

Hazel Hawthorne downed the wine in her glass. She asked herself, ’Is being married to Aiden Xavier really so painful?’

In truth, aside from not being a proper husband, Aiden Xavier was perfect in every other way. She could find no fault with him.

Faced with Aiden’s question, Hazel didn’t answer right away. She didn’t know how to respond. ’Could she really admit that she used to be in love with him?’

Back when Aiden Xavier and Raina Lowell were seen by everyone as a match made in heaven, she had already fallen for this man who wasn’t meant for her.

As a child, she had often chased after Aiden Xavier, but never once earned so much as a glance from him. She knew this feeling all too well.

Hazel stared at Aiden’s face, and memories she had long sealed away slowly began to surface. It was this very face that had captivated her throughout her youth.

If Raina Lowell hadn’t come back, she wouldn’t have brought up divorce so frequently.

"You still haven’t answered my question." Aiden seemed to be pressing the issue, determined to get an answer from her.

Aiden’s face was half-hidden in the darkness, and Hazel couldn’t make out his expression. His tone was so calm, leaving her unable to decipher his thoughts. She tried to see into his heart through his eyes, but that was a feat far beyond her. All she could do was let out a helpless sigh.

Hazel poured herself another glass of wine before speaking slowly. "To be honest, being married to you isn’t painful. On the contrary, it would be a very happy thing, provided you love the woman you’re with. And clearly, you don’t love me."

"Our marriage has no love. It’s like a glass of plain water—completely tasteless," Hazel said indifferently. "The ultimate purpose of our marriage is for each of us to get what we need, without interfering in each other’s lives."

Aiden couldn’t deny the truth in her words.

"Aiden Xavier," Hazel suddenly called his name softly. "Do you remember the little girl who was always following you in middle school?"

"I don’t."

Too many little girls had followed Aiden Xavier around over the years; it was impossible for him to remember every single one. Besides, he already had Raina Lowell by his side back then.

Hearing this, Hazel silently swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

"What is it?"

"It’s nothing. Since you don’t remember, there’s no need to bring it up." Hazel took a sip of wine, no longer looking at Aiden. "Let’s get back to the point. What are your plans for Raina Lowell?"

"I’ll handle things with Raina. As for divorce, I haven’t considered it." Aiden chose his words carefully. "Raina is a very important person to me. Even if we do get divorced one day, it definitely won’t be because of her."

Aiden didn’t know why he’d said that. The last sentence had just slipped out. The moment he said it, he realized something was wrong, but it was too late to take it back. He didn’t know if Hazel had been listening intently, or if she’d taken it to heart at all.

Hazel’s expression remained calm, showing no change.

The two of them were like old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years, sitting together, sipping wine, and temporarily forgetting their troubles. They chatted about anything and everything. Hazel would occasionally smile, and at other times, she would just stare blankly at Aiden’s face.

Perhaps because she’d had a bit too much to drink, Hazel’s mind grew hazy. "It’s getting late. You should go. You have things to deal with when you wake up."

Hazel stood up slowly. A wave of dizziness from the alcohol hit her, and she nearly lost her footing. Fortunately, Aiden was quick to reach out and grab her hand.

Her whole body was practically leaning against him. She looked up and gazed into his deep eyes. In their reflection, she could clearly see herself, and the memories of her youth came flooding back like scenes from a movie.

She couldn’t help but raise her hand, wanting to touch his cheek. But just as her fingers were about to make contact, she snapped out of it as if startled. She quickly pulled her hand back, pushed Aiden away, and braced herself against the wall, putting distance between them.

"Sorry, I lost my composure for a moment." Hazel avoided Aiden’s gaze and dodged his outstretched hand. Forcing herself to stay alert, she walked back to her room step by step. She didn’t see Aiden behind her, watching her with a confused expression.

"You should go." Hazel sat on the bed, enveloped in the moonlight. Her figure was hazy and indistinct.

Aiden wanted to say something more, but feeling that something was off with Hazel tonight, he left in silence.

Only when the door clicked shut did Hazel finally let out a sigh of relief.

She patted her cheeks. ’How could I bring up the past in front of him, especially when I knew he wouldn’t remember?’ freewebnσvel.cøm

Hazel had signed an agreement before marrying Aiden. She was not allowed to fall in love with him.

It was precisely because there were no feelings involved that their marriage had lasted this long.

Hazel was extremely vexed. She was terrified of Aiden discovering her secret. All these years by his side, she had always put on a good disguise—so good that she herself had almost forgotten who she truly was.

And now, just because Raina Lowell had appeared, she had nearly shown her hand, nearly told Aiden the secret she held in her heart.

Lying in bed, Hazel couldn’t fall back asleep. Her heart was filled with frustration and sorrow.

Aiden wouldn’t divorce her, yet his heart belonged to Raina. Caught in the middle, Hazel was in agony. But who could she confide in?

It wasn’t just Hazel who was sleepless; Aiden was too.

Aiden hadn’t missed a single word Hazel said, nor a single expression that crossed her face. The little girl she mentioned truly didn’t exist in his memory.

But where there’s a trace, there’s a trail to follow.

Aiden settled into the room next door. Lying on the bed, he stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. Tonight, his mind seemed to be completely preoccupied with Hazel.

Aiden couldn’t understand what was happening. He tossed and turned, unable to figure it out.

The quiet night lays bare one’s nerves. It opens the gates of memory, effortlessly seizing upon a person’s most sensitive and vulnerable spots.

The morning star, gradually rising on the horizon, was like a guide, smoothing away unease and anxiety, bringing with it new hope.

Hazel stood on the balcony with a coat draped over her shoulders, gazing at the distant horizon. Her vulnerability and emotions would vanish with the disappearing night.

When the sun rose, she would once again be the sharp-tongued, vindictive Hazel Hawthorne. When facing Aiden Xavier, she just needed to play the part of a good wife. Emotion was a luxury she wasn’t qualified to own.

*****