Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 221

Landon’s brows drew together, a flicker of resistance passing over his face at how calm Zinnia remained. Every time she wore that mask of indifference, it meant she couldn’t care less about anything he said or did.

“Maybe my behavior would be out of line for a typical married couple,” he admitted, “but you’re forgetting—we’re not exactly a typical husband and wife.”

His expression faltered. “Zinnia—”

She raised a hand, cutting him off before he could say more.

“We agreed from the start this was a partnership, nothing more. I don’t have any right to tell you who you can or can’t be kind to.”

That was precisely why she hadn’t stormed up to him, jabbing a finger in his face and yelling that if he hadn’t gone off to be with Noelle, she wouldn’t have ended up alone, trapped under the snow. Landon was never under any obligation to join her on that trip; maybe he’d only agreed in the first place because he’d felt an unexpected pang of kindness. She had no right to ask for more.

That WhatsApp message she’d sent—calling it a cry for help was a stretch. It was more like a final, quiet farewell to her own years of stubborn longing.

“But we are married,” Landon insisted, voice trembling with emotion. “Whatever contract we signed in private, we’re still husband and wife to the world.”

He couldn’t help himself—the way Zinnia talked about their relationship so dispassionately made something inside him snap. His composure cracked, emotion rising to the surface.

Zinnia just looked at him, calm and silent, her eyes giving nothing away.

Gradually, the heat in Landon’s gaze faded, replaced by a quiet, defeated sadness.

“I should have treated you better,” he murmured, voice rough and low.

“My grandfather was right. I owe Noelle, but you don’t. I shouldn’t try to repay my debts to her at your expense.”

He looked for all the world like a defendant in court, finally confessing his guilt—head bowed, his whole posture heavy with regret.

Zinnia was quiet for a while before finally replying, her voice soft. “There’s no need, really.”

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