Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 233

Before Landon could get another word in, Zinnia had already shut the door in his face.

She shuffled across the room, her legs heavy as if weighed down by lead, every step a battle. Summoning the last of her strength, she finally collapsed onto the couch.

When she came back to herself, a burning pain flared in her palm. She glanced down and saw that, at some point, she’d dug her nails so hard into her skin that she’d broken it.

The terror that had buried itself beneath the snow still held her in its grip.

She reached for her bag and quickly fished out her medication, tossing the pills into her mouth without even bothering to get a glass of water. She forced them down dry, swallowing hard.

Leaning back against the couch, she closed her eyes and sat there for a long moment, waiting for the fear tightening around her chest to finally loosen its hold.

After a while, she got up and walked over to the window, pushing it open.

A rush of icy air swept in, clearing her head.

Almost there, Zinnia. Just a little longer. Hold on.

Once the contract ended, she’d be free—she’d have no more reason to cover for Landon.

***

The next morning.

Since she’d agreed to join Landon for the team-building event, Zinnia didn’t let herself sleep in. She got up early, packed Dapper’s meds and the things he’d need, and was just finishing when her phone buzzed with a WhatsApp message from Landon.

*Up yet?*

She picked up her phone and replied:

*I’m up.*

*I’ll be there soon. Brought you breakfast.*

*Thanks.*

No sooner had she hit send than the doorbell rang.

Zinnia glanced toward the door, a flicker of confusion crossing her eyes.

Who would come by this early?

Some colleagues lived in the building, but they barely saw each other outside of work—and no one would show up at her place first thing on a weekend.

Still puzzled, she walked to the entryway and checked the video monitor.

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