Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 3

She looked again into Landon’s eyes—calm, distant, but utterly sincere.

There was no trace of a joke. Landon meant every word.-

Even so, she agreed without hesitation. To become Landon’s wife… after ten years of quietly loving him from afar, it felt like her patience had finally been rewarded.

“Well then… here’s to a good partnership.”

Landon smiled as he offered his hand. His fingers were long and elegant, refined and striking, just like the man himself.

“To a good partnership,” she echoed, reaching out to shake his hand.

His touch was warm, the heat spreading through her, melting away the last of her doubts.

And so, just like that, she and Landon became husband and wife, at least on paper, for the next three years.

A gust of icy wind swept past, making Zinnia shiver and snapping her back to reality. Without Landon around, her enthusiasm faded. She curled up in her hotel room and slept through the afternoon.

That whole day, Landon didn’t call her. Not once.

...

The next morning, she woke up early out of habit.

She suited up in her snow gear, grabbed her hiking kit, and arranged for a local guide to take her trekking. She was here, after all—no sense wasting a two-week vacation.

There were plenty of other groups from all over the world on the trail. Zinnia didn’t feel nervous or afraid.

She snapped dozens of photos along the way.

Opening WhatsApp, she instinctively started to send a picture to Landon, but stopped herself.

By now, Landon should have made it back home.

Noelle had just been “kidnapped”. How could she send him vacation photos? That would be completely inappropriate.

She put her phone away, but then, almost against her will, opened Noelle’s Instagram.

A week ago, Noelle’s family had returned to the States and paid a visit to the Fords. After a family dinner, Noelle had added her on Instagram.

The first post on Noelle’s Instagram was from just an hour ago.

[Noelle will always be priceless to Landon, teehee.]

Nine photos were attached: a selfie of Noelle in a hospital room, a few shots of a man’s tall figure from behind, and a close-up of hands peeling an apple.

Even though Landon’s face wasn’t visible, Zinnia recognized him instantly. Especially the hand peeling the apple—the wedding ring was unmistakable.

So, Noelle had already been rescued from her kidnappers?

Relief washed over Zinnia. She figured Landon would probably be on his way to find her soon.

Her gaze drifted down to the comments:

[You’re only this bold because Landon spoils you. Who else would lie about being kidnapped?]

[Trust Noelle to pull this off. Landon left Zinnia freezing halfway across the world just to take care of you. When Zinnia gets back, Landon’s going to have to grovel for forgiveness.]

[Don’t ever pull a stunt like this again.]

That last one was from Landon. Out of all the comments, Noelle replied only to his:

[Landon, I know I was wrong. I’ll apologize to Zinnia when she gets back.]

On some stubborn impulse, she dialed again.

Predictably, the call was declined a second time.

Her heart was as cold as the snow weighing down on her, chilled to the bone.

She sent him a message on WhatsApp:

[There’s been an avalanche. I’m trapped under the snow.]

She didn’t really expect anything. After all, someone who’d just hung up on her twice was hardly likely to answer a text right away.

Still, she couldn’t help herself.

Maybe she was giving her ten-year crush one last shot.

Or maybe she just needed a reason to finally let go.

Against all odds, this time a reply came back instantly.

Every word cut through her like a blade, tearing her heart to shreds.

[Zinnia, don’t try to trick me into coming back with such a transparent lie. I’m staying with Noelle for a few more days. When you’ve had enough fun, come home yourself.]

The cold seeped into her bones, as if a thousand poisonous insects were crawling through her veins.

She didn’t reply.

Buried under the snow, Zinnia’s body slowly lost its warmth.