Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 33

When she saw who had arrived, the slight curve at the corner of her lips faded. With a hint of surprise in her voice, she asked,

“What are you doing here?”

The memory of Chandler calling Zoey away a moment ago surfaced, so she added,

“Are you here to see Chandler?”

It was the only explanation she could think of.

After all, Landon—the ever-busy CEO—suddenly showing up at her hospital couldn’t possibly be here for his so-called wife. That was simply too much to hope for.

She pointed in the direction where Zoey and Chandler had gone.

“They’re probably out on the terrace. If you’re looking for Chandler, he’s with Zoey. She’s not in the mood to see him, so could you please get him to leave?”

Landon didn’t answer. He just sat down across from her, silent.

The cafeteria table was low, leaving Landon’s long legs awkwardly crammed beneath it, making him look almost comical despite himself.

First Chandler, now Landon—so much for her good mood this morning. It had been ruined in record time.

And now, just by being near Landon, that restless anxiety she’d been suppressing started bubbling up again.

She grabbed her lemonade and took several hurried gulps, hoping to drown the sensation. But she drank too fast and ended up choking on her drink.

Water dribbled down her lips, splattering her collar and soaking her sleeves.

Flustered, she set down her glass and reached for a napkin, but someone else was quicker.

Landon held out a napkin, raising it towards her mouth as if to help wipe her lips.

Zinnia instinctively turned her head away, dodging him. “Thanks, I’ve got it,” she said, a little too quickly.

She took the napkin from his hand and dabbed at the water on her collar, only for Landon’s low, teasing voice to drift across the table.

“No, no, he’s not my boyfriend.”

She was so anxious to clarify, as though if she hesitated for even a second, the nurses would get the wrong idea about the two of them.

But from Landon’s perspective, her eagerness to distance herself from him looked like something else entirely.

His expression darkened, just for a moment.

The nurses seemed to sense the sudden chill in the air. Realizing their mistake, they apologized hastily and hurried off.

Zinnia, too, noticed the flicker of displeasure in Landon’s eyes. She quickly tried to explain,

“They were just joking. Don’t take it personally.”

Landon fixed her with a cool stare.

“You’re that afraid they’ll find out about us?”