Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 21

He opened his mouth several times, searching for words, but each attempt dissolved into silence.

After a long pause, he finally spoke in a low voice. “Alright. I’m glad you’re not upset.”

“Mm.” Zinnia nodded. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back to my room.”

“…Alright,” Landon replied, his voice hoarse.

Even after Zinnia left the living room, he remained exactly as he was, frozen in the same position.

He stared at her retreating figure, his eyes clouded with a helpless confusion. He couldn’t understand the restlessness that had lingered in his chest all night.

Unbidden, Chandler’s words from earlier resurfaced in his mind, adding a fresh layer of irritation to his unease.

He stood and walked out onto the balcony, lit a cigarette, and drew in a deep, punishing drag.

Nicotine dulled the agitation in his nerves and pressed down the anxiety welling up inside.

Meanwhile, Zinnia returned to her room and took a quick shower.

When she stepped out, she heard her phone buzzing repeatedly from the nightstand. After toweling the water from her hair, she picked it up and saw a string of messages from Noelle.

*Zinnia, did you like the cake? I had the club’s pastry chef make it just for you.*

*Honestly, if I hadn’t told Landon I felt guilty, he never would’ve brought it home for you.*

*Please don’t be mad at Landon. He’s always put me first since we were kids, that’s the only reason he left you alone in Norway. He didn’t mean to hurt you.*

*If you want to blame someone, blame me. I’d hate for you two to fall out because of me.*

On the surface, Noelle sounded apologetic, but the barbs beneath her words were impossible to miss. Zinnia could easily ignore her bait, but she had to admit—Noelle wasn’t wrong.

*We’re fine. Don’t worry about us. Just focus on your health.*

After that, Noelle didn’t respond. Maybe she actually believed Zinnia’s words, or maybe she just lost interest when she didn’t get the reaction she wanted.

Zinnia’s mind drifted back to the mango cake that started it all.

Landon had said he hadn’t known… but was it that he didn’t know she was allergic to mango, or that he hadn’t realized there was mango in the cake?

In the end, it didn’t matter. He simply never paid enough attention to the details of her life. He never cared.

Their marriage looked perfect from the outside—polished, enviable—but inside, it was rotten to the core.

Dangerous. And ultimately, fatal.