Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 5

“No worries. Can I add you now?” Yuri smiled, and Zinnia quickly added him on WhatsApp.

“How much do I owe you for the phone, Dr. Ford? I’ll transfer it.”

“Pay whatever you think is fair.”

Zinnia blinked in surprise. “Wait, what?”

Was that even an option?

Yuri genuinely didn’t seem to care about the money. As soon as they’d connected on WhatsApp, a nurse came to fetch him, and he left without another word.

Zinnia was baffled. If he didn’t care about the money, why had he insisted she add him on WhatsApp?

Did he think she might vanish without paying him back?

Most days in the hospital, Yuri had brought her meals, which made her feel a bit guilty.

He’d always say, “It’s just fate, running into a fellow countryman so far from home. Of course I should help.”

With Yuri’s help, she’d recovered remarkably well.

“Thank you so much for everything these past few days, Dr. Ford,” she said.

“No need,” Yuri replied, pushing his glasses up with a relaxed air. “We’re compatriots. No need to be so formal.”

He’d said that phrase so many times, it almost made her laugh now.

Yuri walked her out of the hospital and asked, “Heading home today?”

She nodded. “Yeah, my vacation ends tomorrow. There’s a lot waiting for me at the hospital.”

She paused, looked at Yuri, and smiled.

“I never properly introduced myself. I’m a doctor, too.”

Yuri grinned. “What a coincidence. Maybe we’ll get to share notes one day.”

Zinnia nodded. “I hope so. Well, I should get going.”

“Take care. Safe travels.”

Since that day they parted, he and Zinnia hadn’t spoken. That was unusual.

Zinnia had always been someone who loved sharing little moments—a pretty leaf she saw on her way to work, random snapshots she’d send even if he found them boring or never knew how to respond.

He’d never been one for emotional tug-of-wars. If he didn’t know what to say, he simply wouldn’t reply.

But now, nearly two weeks had passed. Not a single message from Zinnia. That wasn’t like her.

With her personality, there’s no way she’d see something as beautiful as the Northern Lights and not send him a photo.

Was she sulking? Because he’d left her to help Noelle?

If that was it, wasn’t it a bit childish? Someone’s life was on the line. How could he possibly ignore that?

His brow furrowed, almost unconsciously.

“Landon, what are you thinking about? Come take some pictures for me!” Noelle called, running over with her camera.

She caught a glimpse of the phone in Landon’s hand, her smile flickering just for a moment before she pulled it back together, beaming as usual.