Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 40

That familiar voice made Zinnia’s brow tighten.

Still, out of politeness, she turned around.

Sure enough, just a few yards away stood Landon, side by side with Noelle. Landon was holding a small bag of medication, and his gaze as it fell on Zinnia was tangled with emotion.

Zinnia instinctively shifted the prescription bag behind her back. But before she could say anything, Noelle hurried over, grabbing Zinnia’s hand with theatrical urgency.

“Zinnia, it was all my fault that Landon left you stranded in Norway. I’ve felt awful about it ever since,” Noelle gushed, eyes wide with manufactured remorse. “I wanted to come by and apologize properly, so please don’t blame Landon.”

Zinnia’s frown deepened, despite herself.

She knew exactly what Noelle was doing—bringing up Norway for the umpteenth time, just to flaunt her own importance in Landon’s life.

Not that she needed to. Zinnia understood it perfectly well already.

When Zinnia’s expression remained indifferent—showing neither anger nor hurt—Noelle’s gaze darkened. She glanced at Landon, then pressed on, her voice lowering.

“I came here today for a follow-up appointment. My parents are out of the country on business, so I asked Landon to come with me. It’s not what you think. You don’t have to… you know, sneak around following him.”

So that was it. She’d been waiting for Zinnia, just to accuse her of stalking Landon.

No wonder Landon had looked at her with that odd, conflicted expression earlier.

Zinnia didn’t bother to deny it. Instead, she asked, “Noelle, do you happen to have any friends who are doctors?”

She had no intention of being part of whatever act these two were staging. But apparently, Noelle wasn’t finished with her just yet.

Noelle darted in front of her again, blocking her path. She bit her lip, voice trembling as she asked, “If you’re not following Landon, Zinnia, then why are you even here?”

Worry flickered across Noelle’s face, though her eyes brimmed with something sharper. She lowered her voice, leaning in as if confiding a dark secret. “This is the counseling center. People only come here if they’re… struggling. Do you—do you have depression, too?”

She dragged out the word “depression,” her lips curling in a subtle, taunting smirk.

Zinnia caught the barb instantly.

She shot Landon a sidelong glance, then looked away, her voice casual. “Nothing serious. Just a little jet lag—I haven’t been sleeping well, so I came to get something for it.”