Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 4

Darkness swallowed her whole, as if she’d been cast into a bottomless abyss. Echoing all around her were cries for help in a jumble of languages, some familiar, some not...

When she opened her eyes again, the world was blinding white—a hospital ceiling.-

“You’re awake?” The voice, warm and reassuring, spoke in English she instantly recognized.

Zinnia turned her head. A young doctor stood at her bedside, watching her closely.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, adjusting his glasses with a gentle touch.

“I...” Her voice came out hoarse and scratchy, barely above a whisper.

“You’ve been unconscious for five days. Considering you were rescued from an avalanche, you’re incredibly lucky. Just focus on resting for now, and we’ll talk about discharge once you’ve regained your strength.”

Zinnia nodded and managed a grateful, “Thank you, Doctor.”

“Yuri Ford.” He offered the name as if reading her mind.

She blinked, confused. “S-sorry?”

“My name is Yuri,” he clarified with a quick, reassuring smile. “If you need anything, just let me know.”

“Oh. Thank you, Dr. Ford.”

As she thanked him, another thought surfaced. “Dr. Ford, could you help me get a new phone? I need to let my family know I’m safe.”

Yuri nodded. “Of course. I’ll take care of it in a little while.”

“Thank you. Really.”

After Yuri left, Zinnia remembered that all her identification and everything else was still back at the hotel in Svalbard.

Less than an hour later, Yuri returned. He placed a brand new phone on her bedside table.

“I can’t thank you enough, Dr. Ford. I’ll transfer you the money for it as soon as I can.”

She hurried to call her mother, Jessica Spencer. The call barely rang before it was picked up.

“Zinnia! Oh, thank God. Do you have any idea how worried you made me?”

Her mother’s voice was thick with tears.

“Mom, I’m so sorry. I’m fine, really. I changed my plans at the last minute and missed the avalanche. There just wasn’t any signal where I was staying, so I couldn’t reach you.”

She kept her explanation vague, not wanting to worry her mother any more than she already had.

“No wonder I couldn’t get through. I tried calling Landon, but his phone was off, too. As long as you’re alright, sweetheart. That’s all that matters.”

“Please don’t worry, Mom. I’ll sort out my documents and be home in a couple of days.”

After they hung up, Zinnia responded to her other messages, assuring everyone she was safe. Only then did she realize Dr. Ford was still waiting patiently at her bedside.

Zinnia blushed, embarrassed. “Sorry for keeping you, Dr. Ford.”