Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 211

The moment Landon called himself Dapper’s brother-in-law again, both Chandler and Zoey frowned in perfect sync.

Shameless. Absolutely shameless.

All evening, Landon had been parading his “brother-in-law” status like some sort of badge of honor, barely opening his mouth without mentioning it. Chandler and Zoey could even hear a note of pride in his tone.

What the hell was he so proud of?

“Chandler, go start the car.”

Chandler was silently railing against Landon, but when Landon gave the order—as if it was the most natural thing in the world—he shot him a look of pure disdain. Still, he obediently went outside to get the car.

Meanwhile, Landon cradled Dapper in his arms and headed for the hospital exit. He held the puppy so steadily, not a single muscle twitching.

Maybe it was because Landon had been the first one down the well to rescue him, but Dapper trusted him completely now. Curled up quietly in Landon’s arms, the little guy stared at him with bright, adoring eyes, as if Landon were some kind of savior.

Zinnia’s feelings were complicated as she watched Dapper look up at Landon. The little thing was so innocent, so oblivious to the world’s dangers. How could he trust a man who’d called him useless so many times? Couldn’t he see Landon was no good?

Before long, Chandler pulled the car up to the curb.

Zinnia opened the back door, about to climb in, but Landon—still holding Dapper—slipped into the back seat first.

“Thank you.”

Settling in, Landon looked up at Zinnia standing outside the door and flashed her a grateful smile.

Zinnia: “…”

She’d opened the door for herself.

“You should probably sit up front,” Zinnia advised, frowning.

“The front’s a bit cramped. Dapper won’t be comfortable squeezed up there.”

Chandler: “…”

Cramped? Cramped? You’re the cramped one! The front passenger seat is huge, and you have the nerve to call it cramped? Don’t think I don’t know you just want to sit with your wife in the back. What a lousy excuse.

Zinnia frowned and shot his suggestion down without a second thought. “The place I’m renting isn’t small.”

“But it’s not really your own place, is it? Golden retrievers are notorious for chewing things up when they’re teething. If your landlord finds out, do you really think they’ll let it slide?”

Landon’s words made Zinnia fall silent.

As much as she hated to admit it, he wasn’t wrong. Lots of landlords didn’t want tenants with pets for exactly that reason.

What’s more, the apartment she was renting now had never even been lived in since it was remodeled. The landlord, a friend of Zoey’s, had only agreed to rent it to her as a favor.

She frowned, saying nothing, but the idea of buying her own place began to take root. Of course, housing prices in Veridian City were sky-high—there was no way she could afford it on her own salary.

But maybe she could borrow some money from her parents.

Zinnia started calculating in her head.

Landon noticed her silence and, sensing she was wavering, pressed on: