Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 156

A sharp, crawling pain suddenly twisted through his chest, as if poisoned vines were snaking their way around his heart, tightening their grip with every beat.

Zinnia’s presence in his life was like a splinter buried deep under the skin—he hardly noticed it when things were quiet. But whenever it flared up, the agony could nearly bring him to his knees.

He slumped onto the couch, feeling a heavy, suffocating pressure in his chest. The anxiety and helplessness gnawed at him, leaving him more lost than ever.

After sitting there for a while, he pulled out his phone. With trembling fingers, he scrolled through his contacts until he found Zinnia’s number and dialed.

At that moment, Zinnia had just picked up Dapper from the vet clinic. The golden retriever, fully recovered, was lively and bright-eyed, his coat gleaming with health.

“Dapper, from now on, you’re living here with me. What do you think?” she said with a smile.

Dapper seemed to understand, his big pink tongue happily lavishing her hand with licks before flopping onto his back, belly up, begging for attention. Zinnia couldn’t help but laugh at his antics.

Her phone rang, breaking the happy moment. She glanced at the caller ID, and the sunshine in her smile faded instantly.

She answered, “Hello?”

“Did you... did you move out?” Landon’s voice came through, hoarse and trembling ever so slightly.

Zinnia paused, then replied, “Yeah, I’m not going back to Royal Bay. If anything comes up and you need me, just call, okay?”

There was silence on the other end, as if Landon had been struck speechless.

Zinnia wasn’t in the mood to guess at his feelings. She glanced over to see Dapper gobbling his kibble, and quickly admonished, “Hey, don’t eat so fast. You’ll choke.”

She returned to the call. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now.”

A humorless laugh echoed from Landon. “So you’re living with your dog now?”

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