Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 87

“Alright.”

Just before stepping into the room, Landon glanced back at Zinnia.

Once inside, he pulled out his phone and called Charles.

“Spread the word—today’s weekly meeting is canceled. I’m not coming to the office. If anything urgent comes up, call me.”

“Yes, sir.”

There was a brief pause on the other end before Charles spoke again. “Sir, you don’t sound well. Are you sick?”

“Yeah.” Landon forced out a reply, suppressing a cough.

“Then please get some rest, sir. I’ll take care of things here.”

“Good.” Landon nodded, then remembered something and added, “Don’t call me unless it’s really necessary. Handle whatever you can on your own.”

“Yes, sir. Understood.”

After hanging up, Landon pressed a hand to his still-burning forehead and sank onto the couch.

His thoughts wandered, unbidden, to what had happened the night before in Zinnia’s room—a memory that sent a wave of heat through his chest.

He’d never been someone who lost control easily. But holding Zinnia in his arms last night, he realized just how close he’d come to crossing a line.

If Zinnia hadn’t met his gaze with such clear-headed composure, he honestly didn’t know what might have happened.

Her eyes had been so calm, so steady, he couldn’t even meet them. He’d all but fled the room in embarrassment.

Back in the master bedroom, staring at the bed where Zinnia used to sleep, that restless heat deep in his core surged again, impossible to ignore.

It wasn’t until he’d stood under an icy shower for an hour, then let the cold night air whip across him on the balcony for another thirty minutes, that he’d finally managed to cool off a little.

Of course, that only left him with a fever.

He found himself thinking about the nearly three years of marriage he’d shared with Zinnia.

Out in the living room, after Landon had gone to his room, Zinnia pulled up Charles’s number and made the call.

He picked up almost immediately, his tone eager to please. “Mrs. Ford, how can I help you?”

It wasn’t the first time she’d heard Charles call her “Mrs. Ford.”

Early in her marriage, whenever Charles used that title and Landon didn’t correct him, Zinnia would feel a secret thrill—as if it meant she and Landon were truly close.

Now, though, the title felt awkward, almost embarrassing.

Still, this wasn’t the time to correct him. She simply said, “Charles, Landon’s sick. He’s running a fever.”

“Yes. The boss just called and told me.”

Zinnia paused, surprised. Landon had already called him?

“Oh, that’s good. He’s home alone right now. If you’re available, could you come by Royal Bay and check on him? Or send someone you trust to look after him?”