Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 93

“Yeah, I know.”

With those calm words, Zinnia stepped out of the elevator.

Noelle hadn’t expected her to keep such a straight face, not after everything she’d just said. Fury flared instantly.

“Did you even hear me? If you know what’s good for you, you’ll hurry up and divorce Landon!”

She chased after Zinnia, shouting loud enough for everyone in the hospital corridor to hear.

Families visiting patients were coming and going, and Noelle’s outburst instantly drew their attention. People waiting for the elevator turned, eyes wide, as Noelle’s words echoed across the lobby.

Her accusation was so blatant, and her hostility so obvious, that the gossip practically wrote itself.

“Wow, this is like something straight out of a soap opera—the mistress confronting the wife, and right here in real life.”

“Unbelievable. The nerve it takes to march up to the wife and demand a divorce! Some people really have no shame.”

“I know, right? You think anyone with a shred of decency would choose to be the other woman?”

All around, the conversation swirled. In these times, mistresses and illegitimate children were still universally despised.

The families didn’t bother keeping their voices down; they spoke as if Noelle couldn’t hear them, judging her with open disdain.

Noelle’s face drained of color under their harsh stares. Flustered and defensive, she snapped at the crowd, “What do you people know? Mind your own business!”

But her retort only fanned the flames.

“Oh, she’s mad now? You’d think after pushing the wife to divorce, she wouldn’t have any shame left to lose.”

“Sweetheart, life’s short. Of all the things you could be, you chose to be a homewrecker?”

The jeers came from every direction, relentless and merciless.

Noelle had spent her whole life protected by her parents and by Landon. She’d never faced this kind of public scorn before. Pale and trembling, she couldn’t get a word in edgewise.

Unable to argue with the crowd, she turned her anger on Zinnia, who’d simply stood by, uninvolved.

With that, Noelle stormed off, seemingly forgetting she’d come to the hospital to visit Xander at all.

Zinnia watched her retreating figure until it disappeared around a corner, the smile slowly fading from her lips.

Noelle’s words echoed in her mind: Landon promised he’d marry her the moment she returned.

Now it all made sense. Landon cared for Noelle, but had agreed to a marriage contract with Zinnia, all for show.

While Noelle was overseas for treatment, he needed a woman to keep up appearances for his family—to hold the title of Mrs. Ford until Noelle came home.

So, he’d chosen someone easygoing, someone who wouldn’t make trouble or cling too tightly. That way, once the time came, she could be sent on her way without drama.

He didn’t want someone who’d make a scene or refuse to let go.

Realizing all this, Zinnia took a slow, deep breath. The ache in her chest seemed to dull, just a little.

“Landon really thought of everything,” she murmured, tilting her head back to gaze up at the sky.