Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 51

The heat of it seared his chest, leaving a dull ache behind.

Landon had no idea what kind of nightmare Zinnia was trapped in this time, or why she always called out for him to save her in her dreams.

Was it the same nightmare as that night? Why would she relive the same thing, and what about it left her so desperate—almost broken?

He could hear it in her voice, the way she screamed his name—there was a bitter edge to it, a hatred that cut deep.

The thought sent a cold shiver through him, and the familiar wave of anxiety and helplessness crashed over his heart again, just as it had for days.

He pressed his lips together, jaw clenched so tightly it ached.

The heating in his office hummed steadily, but Landon only felt the chill tightening around his heart.

He didn’t wake Zinnia. Instead, he leaned down, intending to pick her up and lay her on the folding cot in the corner so she could rest more comfortably.

But as he bent over, his gaze caught on the boxes of medication scattered across her desk, still unpacked.

He reached out to take a closer look, but before he could touch them, Zinnia’s startled voice broke the silence.

“Landon?”

Her eyes, still foggy with sleep a moment ago, sharpened with sudden clarity. She sat up straight, gaze locking on his outstretched hand. A flicker of tension crossed her face.

She shot to her feet, quickly stepping between him and the desk, blocking his line of sight to the boxes without making a fuss.

“Are you here to ask about Xander’s condition?”

She tried to steer his attention away.

Landon didn’t answer. He just stared at her, silent and searching, for what felt like a long time. Finally, he shook his head and said quietly, “You’ve been in surgery for hours—I figured you’d be exhausted. I just wanted to check on you.”

All day, she’d found Landon’s behavior baffling, but she didn’t have the energy to deal with him now.

“I’m on call tonight. Emergencies like this can happen anytime, so I have to rest whenever I get the chance if I want to keep my head straight. I really don’t have time to entertain you.”

She didn’t say it outright, but her meaning was clear:

Please leave. I need to sleep.

Anyone with half a brain would take the hint by now.

Landon understood perfectly well—but he made no move to leave.

He just looked at her, gaze heavy and unreadable.

Then, without a word, his eyes drifted past her shoulder, landing again on the medication boxes—names hidden behind the plastic shopping bag.