Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 92

Zinnia paused for a moment, then shook her head with a faint smile.

“It’s fine.”

Even if Xander hadn’t been part of the picture, her marriage to Landon was never going to be some great romance. She’d long since decided it wasn’t worth her energy.

“Get some rest,” she said gently.

With that, Zinnia left the hospital room.

She’d barely taken two steps down the hall when she nearly collided with Noelle rounding the corner.

Noelle’s eyes flashed with a sharp, hostile glint the moment she saw Zinnia, but instead of meeting her gaze, Noelle looked past her, searching the hallway behind for someone else.

Zinnia knew exactly who she was hoping to see. She gave a little laugh. “Don’t worry. Landon’s not here.”

Noelle’s face fell, caught out. She shot Zinnia a scathing look before brushing past her, making straight for Xander’s room.

As she passed, Noelle paused, lowering her voice to a threatening whisper. “If you try to steal Landon from me, I won’t let you get away with it.”

Zinnia couldn’t help herself—she laughed.

Noelle turned on her, brow furrowing in irritation. “What’s so funny?”

“Relax. I’m not interested in competing with you,” Zinnia replied, still amused.

For a moment, Zinnia considered telling Noelle that Landon was home with a fever and could probably use some company. But then she remembered the flash of anger on Landon’s face the last time she’d suggested exactly that, and she kept her mouth shut.

At first, she hadn’t understood why Landon had gotten so upset—she’d simply been trying to be considerate, suggesting Noelle go and look after him. But now, it made sense. It wasn’t just about not wanting to trouble Noelle; Landon probably wanted to protect her reputation, too.

Zinnia turned her head lazily, looking Noelle up and down. “Sure, whatever you say.”

“You—!” Noelle nearly choked on her own frustration. “Don’t think I won’t do it.”

She eyed Zinnia from head to toe, then suddenly let out a cold laugh. “Stop pretending you don’t care. Deep down, you’re just jealous, aren’t you? Jealous that Landon is good to me. We grew up together, you know. If I hadn’t left the country for treatment, you’d have never married into the Ford family.”

“Mm,” Zinnia replied placidly.

No matter how much Noelle pushed, Zinnia refused to rise to the bait. There was no trace of anger or envy—nothing for Noelle to feed on—and that only made her more desperate.

“Before I left for treatment, Landon told me himself that he’d marry me when I came back. If Zane hadn’t pressured him to settle down, you’d never have become Mrs. Ford.”

Just as the words left Noelle’s lips, the elevator chimed and the doors slid open on the first floor.