Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 45

“Landon!”

Noelle’s voice trembled as she called his name, and in the next instant, she threw herself into his arms.

“I’m so scared, Landon. What if something happens to my brother? What am I going to do?” Her sobs came in hiccuping waves as she clung to him.

Landon stiffened in her embrace, caught off guard. For a split second, Zinnia’s cool, distant face flashed through his mind. Almost reflexively, he released Noelle, gently pushing her away.

“Don’t worry. Zinnia’s in there with your brother. He’s in the best hands—she won’t let anything happen to him.”

Zinnia.

Noelle’s tears faltered. It was the first time she’d ever heard Landon speak Zinnia’s name with such warmth.

A shadow flickered across Noelle’s eyes. A vague, uneasy feeling began to gnaw at her heart.

“But, Landon, I’m… I’m scared,” she whispered, pressing closer to him, her words trailing off as if she couldn’t quite say what she really meant.

Landon tore his gaze from the glowing “Operating” sign above the surgical doors and looked at her. “He’s going to be fine, Noelle. Trust me.”

She bit her lip, hesitating. Landon’s brow furrowed. “What is it? What are you so worried about?” His voice was calm but laced with a barely concealed impatience as he rubbed his temple.

Noelle didn’t seem to notice. She kept biting her lip, her hands trembling as she spoke in a shaky whisper, “I overheard the ER doctor say my brother’s condition is really serious—that it could be life or death. And Zinnia… she’s so young. She’s only been a doctor for two years. Can she really… save my brother?”

Her grip tightened on Landon’s sleeve. “Can’t we ask for the head surgeon instead? Just to be safe?”

“She’s not that kind of person,” Landon said, his tone unmistakably frosty.

For the first time, Noelle heard anger in his voice—anger directed at her, all because of what she’d implied about Zinnia.

Landon didn’t stop there. “Noelle, I’ve been married to Zinnia for almost three years. I know exactly what kind of person she is. Maybe you don’t, but don’t you dare judge her like that. When you accuse her out of spite, you’re not just insulting her—you’re insulting me, too.”

His words landed hard, leaving Noelle stunned and speechless.

She could hear it clearly now—the annoyance in his voice, all because she’d spoken ill of Zinnia. In the past, whenever she’d asked for his attention, even pulling him away from Zinnia, he’d never once spoken to her like this.

Did that mean… he really cared about Zinnia now?