Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 15

“This game is so boring. We’re not playing it again next time.”

Chandler shot him a sympathetic glance but stayed silent.

Noelle, on the other hand, chimed in with a pitying tone, addressing Landon, “What’s up with Zinnia today? She’s usually the most enthusiastic one, calling you before the game’s even over to hurry you home. But tonight, everyone’s already left and she hasn’t called you once.”

She glanced at Landon, worry creasing her brow. “Landon, is Zinnia still mad at you? This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have asked you to hang out with me. Now you two are fighting.”

Chandler looked up at her, his tone cool but unmistakably reproachful. “If you realize that, maybe don’t cross that line next time. Landon’s a married man. You can’t just go to him for every little thing.”

The words weren’t harsh, but the rebuke was clear as day.

Noelle’s eyes went red instantly. Her lower lip trembled, her face full of wounded innocence. “Chan, do you really think I did it on purpose? I swear I didn’t mean to get Landon and Zinnia into a fight. It’s just…I guess I feel insecure sometimes, and I lean on Landon more than I should.”

Her voice started to hitch as she spoke, tears threatening again. “I’ll try to get over it. I don’t want to cause trouble for them anymore.”

With that, she let her tears fall in pitiful silence, looking up at Chandler with red, watery eyes. “Chan, please, you have to believe me, I—”

But Chandler lifted a hand, cutting her off.

Noelle was speechless, the sting of her fake innocence being called out making her flush again. She looked helplessly at Landon, eyes brimming with tears that threatened to spill.

Landon, unable to stand seeing her like that, jumped in to defend her. “Come on, Chandler, don’t be so hard on her.”

Chandler just shrugged, unimpressed, and strode toward the door.

Pausing at the threshold, he turned, almost as if on purpose, and added, “By the way, Zoey is actually a year younger than you. She and Zinnia were in the same class. Zinnia skipped a grade, so she’s several years younger than you. So maybe don’t act like you’re the youngest here. It’s honestly awkward.”

Inwardly, Noelle cursed him out: Chandler, screw you!