Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 75

“Noelle’s illness started because of me. I have to take responsibility for her, I…”

Zinnia finally came to a halt, impatience flickering across her face.

She looked up, meeting Landon’s anxious, desperate expression head-on.

The coldness and irritation in her eyes stopped Landon’s explanation dead in its tracks. The words tangled at the back of his throat, never making it out.

Then, as Landon’s gaze flickered with guilt and unease, Zinnia replied—slowly, clearly, each word cutting through the tension.

“I. Heard. You. The first time.”

Her icy gaze hit Landon like a knife straight to the chest, leaving him speechless and aching.

“I need to check on Xander now. Are you coming or not?” Zinnia’s tone was clipped as she changed the subject, ignoring the way Landon’s face fell at her indifference.

Landon pressed his lips into a thin line, then finally nodded.

They walked down the hall. Outside the hospital room, Zinnia rapped her knuckles against the door.

A moment later, Noelle’s face appeared in the doorway.

Her expression fell the instant she saw Zinnia, but when she noticed Landon lingering behind, she quickly pasted on a bright, innocent smile.

“Zinnia, Landon, you’re both here.”

Noelle worked hard to hide her resentment toward Zinnia, putting on that familiar mask of wide-eyed sweetness as she ushered them inside.

Xander was awake, but he still looked pale and weak.

“Landon,” he greeted quietly, then glanced at Zinnia, his voice even softer. “Zinnia.”

Zinnia hesitated, her eyes flicking up from Xander’s chart. She ignored his attempt at warmth and went straight to business. “How are you feeling?”

Neither moved.

Zinnia’s patience wore thin. She shot them both an exasperated look, then strode over to Xander herself and reached for his shirt buttons.

Xander looked uncomfortable. “Zinnia, I can do it myself—”

She shot him a look. “You just woke up. Don’t strain yourself.”

As she began to unfasten the buttons, a large hand stopped her—Landon’s. He had crossed the room without a sound, his face unreadable as he swiftly undid Xander’s shirt.

“Thank you, Landon,” Xander mumbled, not quite meeting his eyes.

Zinnia didn’t notice the tension between the two men. She picked up her stethoscope and gave Xander a thorough examination.

After a few minutes, she set the stethoscope aside. “A little redness and swelling around the incision is normal after surgery. It’ll subside soon, no need to worry.”