Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 91

So, this time, she wasn’t going to play nurse.

Yet here he was, asking her why she hadn’t taken time off to look after him the way she had last year.

Zinnia couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. She met Landon’s resentful gaze and replied, “You’re not a child anymore. It’s just a cold and a fever—you can take care of yourself.”

Her words hit Landon so hard he was left speechless.

For a moment, something about her tone sounded oddly familiar.

The next second, the memory clicked into place.

The flush in his cheeks drained away, leaving his face stark white.

He remembered now.

Last year, when Zinnia had taken days off to stay home and care for him, he’d said those exact words to her.

Of course, he hadn’t meant to hurt her. He’d just wanted to spare her the trouble, to keep her from missing work or owing favors to her colleagues on his account.

But hearing those words come from Zinnia now, he realized how easily they could be taken as a rebuff, as if he’d thought she was meddling.

Panic rose in his chest. He opened his mouth to explain, but the words tangled up, refusing to come out.

Zinnia, unaware of the chaos spinning in his mind, glanced at her watch again. “I have several surgeries scheduled today. My patients are waiting—I can’t afford to be late. I have to go.”

She gently slipped her hand from his grasp and turned to leave, her stride purposeful and unhesitating.

This time, Landon didn’t try to stop her.

He simply watched as she closed the front door behind her, his expression darkening.

Once again, he felt the distance growing between them, as if Zinnia was slowly peeling herself away from his life, bit by bit.

Was it because their marriage contract was nearing its end? Is that why she was acting this way?

But he was the one who had drawn up that contract in the first place. So why, now that the end was near, did he find himself dreading it?

When Zinnia entered, he greeted her with a smile. “Morning, Zinnia.”

She nodded curtly, then stepped over and listened to his chest through the hospital gown.

“Everything looks good. Any pain from the incision?”

Xander shook his head. “Not anymore.”

She nodded again, making a few quick notes on his chart.

After reminding Xander about his medications and giving the nurse some detailed instructions, she turned to leave.

Just as she reached the door, Xander called after her, “Zinnia.”

She stopped and looked back at him.

Xander pressed his still-pale lips together, hesitated, then finally spoke. “Noelle’s had health problems since she was little. My parents have spoiled her a bit. If she’s ever said or done anything to upset you, I hope you’ll forgive her.”