Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 81

All this effort—she was clearly dressed up for a date.

See? When a man truly cares about you, just the thought of seeing you makes him hum a tune without even realizing it.

Zinnia couldn't tell if she was envious of Dr. Warner’s girlfriend, or simply mourning her own silent, unrequited crush.

She didn’t keep Dr. Warner long. After a couple of quick questions, she checked in one last time on little Dapper—now fast asleep—then headed out to catch a ride back to Royal Bay.

Only when she pulled out her phone did she notice the WhatsApp messages and missed calls.

She unlocked her screen. The last message was from Landon, sent about an hour ago.

Landon wanted to pick her up from the hospital?

She glanced at the timestamp. He’d sent the message just a few minutes after she’d booked her ride.

Her phone had been on silent all day for patient consultations, and she’d forgotten to switch it back on after her shift.

So she’d missed both Landon’s call and his message.

It felt pointless to reply now.

Tucking her phone back in her bag, Zinnia waited for her ride.

Back at Royal Bay, she opened the door to complete darkness.

Landon wasn’t home yet?

That was her first thought. She reached for the light switch, but before she could flick it on, a husky voice broke the silence from the shadows:

“Back already?”

Zinnia jumped, her heart pounding.

The foyer light snapped on.

It clung to her clothes, strong and lingering. This wasn’t something you picked up in passing—it meant someone had been very close, close enough for the scent to stay long after.

Landon’s emotions tangled—anger, dread, confusion—all at once.

His face darkened, shifting through a storm of feelings Zinnia couldn’t read. She didn’t ask. She just slipped off her shoes and made for her room, but Landon caught her arm.

His grip was firm, almost desperate, barely restrained. His gaze was searching, intense.

“Zoey said you left work over an hour ago. Where have you been all this time?”

Zinnia’s eyes widened in surprise.

She hadn’t expected Landon to actually show up at Veridian University Hospital to pick her up, let alone run into Zoey.

She’d figured he’d give up after she missed his call—certainly not go out of his way, crossing the entire city, just to see her.