Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 48

The possibility gnawed at Landon, and his brow furrowed even deeper, a storm gathering in his expression.

That troubled look only made Noelle’s heart flutter with satisfaction. She shot a triumphant glance through the glass at the people inside the operating room, a sly smile tugging at her lips.

Then, turning to Landon, she said, “Landon, it’s not that I don’t trust Zinnia. I’m genuinely worried she’s not in the right state for such a complex surgery.”

She shifted her gaze to Dr. Chad, who stood nearby, his face unreadable. “Dr. Chad, how long will this surgery take?”

He hesitated. “Well… An aortic dissection operation can take anywhere from four to eight hours, depending on the patient’s condition and the surgeon’s expertise.”

Noelle seized on his answer, her tone growing more anxious as she looked at Landon. “You heard him, Landon. This surgery will last at least four hours—and in the middle of the night, no less. If Zinnia loses focus for even a moment, my brother’s life could be ruined. Please…”

She clutched Landon’s arm, her eyes brimming with tears, pleading, “Landon, can we please get another doctor?”

She glanced at Dr. Chad again. “Isn’t Dr. Chad the chief of cardiothoracic surgery? I’m sure he’s more experienced than Zinnia. Let him take over, please?”

Dr. Chad looked uncomfortable as he met Landon’s eyes. “I’m afraid that wouldn’t be appropriate. I’m not the attending physician, and with a case this serious—a ruptured aorta—switching surgeons midway could be disastrous.”

Noelle shook her head, her nose pink. “My brother’s still fighting for his life. Even if I went home, I couldn’t sleep. I’ll wait here with you.”

Landon nodded, not pressing her further.

Inside the operating room, the team worked tirelessly, their movements never slowing. If Xander hadn’t been brought in tonight, Landon would never have realized just how grueling Zinnia’s job really was. Standing for hours on end, not eating or drinking, utterly focused—it had to be her everyday reality as a cardiac surgeon.

Landon couldn’t quite put his feelings into words, but in some hidden corner of his chest, there was an ache he couldn’t ignore.