Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 54

The doctor across from them paused for a moment, then spoke up.

“Dr. Quinn is responsible for the surgery. When it comes to post-op monitoring in the ICU, that’s under our department. If you have any questions about the operation itself, you’ll need to talk to Dr. Quinn in her office.”

As he spoke, the doctor glanced at his watch and added,

“But Dr. Quinn was on the night shift last night, so she’s off today. She handed everything over hours ago—she’s probably already home by now.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than a nurse came over to fetch him, pulling him away before anyone could ask more questions.

Landon stayed rooted to the spot, his face darkening.

He’d deliberately left the house late this morning, waiting as long as he could, hoping Zinnia might come home first. He’d used the excuse of visiting Xander in the hospital, but in truth, he was hoping to run into Zinnia. Instead, the only one waiting for him was an ICU doctor, and Zinnia was nowhere to be seen.

He’d assumed she was still on duty, but now he learned she’d already left at the crack of dawn?

Landon pressed his lips into a thin line, a chill settling around him that seemed to radiate to everyone nearby.

“Landon, if the ICU isn’t Zinnia’s responsibility, let’s not bother her anymore,” Noelle said quietly, trying to keep her tone light.

The moment Landon had mentioned Zinnia, Noelle’s heart had twisted with jealousy. That old fear had crept in again—the fear that no matter how hard she tried, Landon’s heart would always drift back to Zinnia.

Landon seemed lost in thought. He only gave a vague “Yeah” in reply.

“I don’t need to be here anymore. I’ll head back to the office. Let the driver take you home. If there’s any news from the hospital, they’ll contact us.”

He spoke briskly, already striding toward the elevator.

The driver—Richie—couldn’t help but hurry her along. “Come on, Miss Noelle. The boss gave you the car; he’s catching a cab back to the office himself.”

He had little patience for Noelle. She knew Landon was married, yet she clung to him at every opportunity. The family had plenty of drivers—why did he have to go out of his way to pick her up at the Jensen estate just so she could visit a patient? Shameless. He wasn’t fooled for a second; he could see right through Noelle’s act.

Richie’s eyes narrowed in disdain. To him, Noelle was no angel—just a fake, and he could spot her kind from a mile away.

Noelle caught the contempt in Richie’s voice and shot him a furious glare.

She might play sweet and innocent in front of Landon, but now that he was gone, she didn’t bother to keep up the act.

“And who do you think you are?” she snapped at Richie. “Just a driver, and you dare look down on me? Don’t think I won’t have Landon fire you on the spot.”