Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 41

She lifted the paper bag of medicine in her hand and glanced at her watch. “You two go ahead. I’ll head back first.”

With that, she turned to leave.

“Zinnia!”

Landon’s voice cut through the air, stopping her mid-step.

Zinnia looked back to find Landon watching her, his gaze intense. After a moment, he spoke. “I’m heading home too. Let’s go together.”

Standing nearby, Noelle’s eyes darkened at his words, a flicker of irritation passing over her features. But she quickly forced a bright smile. “Oh, right, Zinnia—there’s nothing left for me here either. No need to trouble Landon. You two go on ahead, I’ll just call a cab.”

She made a show of walking briskly toward the hospital entrance, but her lips were pressed tightly together and her eyes brimmed with unshed tears—playing the picture of wounded innocence.

Landon frowned, stepping in front of her. “You’ve never taken a cab by yourself. How are you getting home alone?”

Noelle looked up at him, her eyes red-rimmed as she shook her head. “I’ll be fine, Landon. I need to learn to be independent eventually. You have Zinnia now—I can’t keep relying on you. Sure, it’s my first time calling a cab, but I’ll figure it out. I need to grow up and start taking care of myself. You don’t need to worry about me, and please don’t—”

She paused deliberately, biting her lip, then shot a timid glance at Zinnia as if afraid she’d cause trouble. Edging behind Landon, she murmured, “Please don’t upset Zinnia on my account.”

Zinnia watched Noelle’s little performance with growing irritation.

Landon glanced at Zinnia, his expression conflicted. “Noelle, she…”

Sooner or later, Landon will be mine.

Schooling her face back into a mask of vulnerability, she turned anxious eyes on Landon and whispered, “Landon, did I mess things up again? Did I make Zinnia angry?”

She sniffled, tears beginning to spill down her cheeks. “It’s my fault. I always mean well, but I just make things worse.”

For once, Landon didn’t rush to comfort her. Instead, a hint of impatience crept into his eyes, though he said nothing. His tone was flat as he spoke. “Come on. I’ll take you home.”

He didn’t wait for a reply, striding off toward the parking lot.

Noelle blinked in surprise at the change in his demeanor, but quickly hurried after him, climbing into the car in silence.