Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 288

He realized, with a pang, that over the years he’d almost never taken Zinnia out to celebrate his birthday.

Birthdays were never a big deal for him. At most, he’d gather a few close friends for drinks, and that was that.

And somehow, he’d always assumed—rather stupidly, now that he thought about it—that someone as well-behaved as Zinnia wouldn’t like the kind of places he went, like bars or pubs.

So, without ever actually asking her, he simply left her out. Not once did he consider whether she might have wanted to join.

Suddenly, he remembered his first birthday after they got married. That year, like every other, he’d invited his friends out for drinks at a pub. By the time he got home, it was late. Zinnia had been waiting for him, lying on the couch in the living room.

She’d handed him a pair of cufflinks—a birthday present, she said.

He’d been surprised she even knew it was his birthday. Other than thanking her, he hadn’t felt the slightest bit of guilt for not inviting her to celebrate with him.

The memory hit Landon with a sharp ache, and he felt a wave of cold wash over his face.

Had he messed up again?

“Landon? Landon?”

Connor’s voice broke through the fog as Landon stood frozen, lost in thought. Connor called his name several times before Landon finally snapped out of it.

“Landon, are you okay? You look pale,” Connor asked, concern in his voice.

“It’s nothing,” Landon replied, quickly smoothing his expression and shaking his head.

Once the living room was decorated, Sonya, who had arrived with Arrow, glanced around and asked, “Where’s Zinnia? Hasn’t she come home yet?”

She didn’t know that Zinnia had moved out of Royal Bay a while ago, so she just asked offhandedly.

Remembering how distant Zinnia had been lately, Landon felt a knot of unease tighten in his chest. He picked up his phone and opened WhatsApp.

Zinnia’s name was pinned at the top, but her profile picture was as still as ever—no new messages, no updates.

Had she forgotten? Or was she just not coming?

No, that couldn’t be it. Zinnia wasn’t the type to break a promise. She’d said she’d come, and she always kept her word.

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