Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 239

Zoey let out a cold, mocking laugh as she looked at him.

“Who are you trying to fool with that act? Zinnia doesn’t need your fake concern anymore. If you have even a shred of decency left, you’ll get out of here before she wakes up—what do you think you’re doing?!”

Landon seized her wrist with such force it felt like he might snap it in two.

“Say it clearly. What do you mean, she almost died under the snow?”

“Let go, you bastard!”

Zoey cursed, struggling to wrench free from his grip.

Chandler’s expression changed instantly when he saw what was happening.

“Landon, let go! Are you trying to break my wife’s hand? Let her go, now!”

Chandler rushed over, trying to pry Landon’s fingers off Zoey, but Landon’s grip was iron-strong; even with both hands, Chandler couldn’t get Zoey free.

At that moment, Landon was like a wild animal pushed to the brink—eyes bloodshot, jaw clenched so tightly his voice trembled as he repeated, “What do you mean, she almost died under the snow?”

He glared at Zoey, demanding an answer.

Zoey, however, seemed to take perverse pleasure in his distress. Even as pain shot up her arm and it felt like her wrist might break, she gritted her teeth, refusing to answer. She just stared at him, face twisted with contempt.

“Why should I tell you anything? If you cared so much, maybe you shouldn’t have run off with your darling Noelle.”

“Zoey, honey, please,” Chandler pleaded, desperate and almost hopping with anxiety. “Just tell him, alright? He really might break your hand. Please—just tell him what happened!”

“Shut up! Don’t act like you’re any better—you and him are two of a kind. Stay out of this!”

Zoey snapped at Chandler, her voice sharp with pain.

Chandler wilted under her words, looking both hurt and helpless, but he was genuinely scared Landon might snap his wife’s wrist. He turned to Landon, begging, “Landon, please, let her go! Her hand’s not going to survive this. Let her go, and she’ll talk—just let go! Landon, I mean it!”

In his panic, Chandler punched Landon hard in the face.

At that exact moment, Landon finally released Zoey’s wrist.

Blood welled at the split in Landon’s lip from Chandler’s punch, but he didn’t seem to notice. He just lowered his head, standing in front of Zoey, and muttered, “I’m sorry. I lost control.”

Then he looked up at Zoey, his expression raw and pleading.

“Please, I need to know—what happened to Zinnia?”

Zoey rubbed her red wrist, her eyes full of loathing and disgust as she stared at Landon. She noticed the crimson at the corners of his eyes, the way his whole face was taut with shock and disbelief; he didn’t look like he was faking it.

Zoey’s voice shook with rage, her jaw clenched so tightly it looked painful.

Landon’s face was ashen. He didn’t react to her curses, just stood there, silent and motionless.

Over and over, the same thought flashed through his mind—

He’d ruined everything.

He’d had so many chances to find out what had happened to Zinnia. So many times he could have asked, could have noticed something was wrong.

Had he missed her during those weeks? Yes, he had. But instead of reaching out, he’d sulked, stubbornly waiting for her to contact him first. He’d justified it to himself—Zinnia always messaged him, so if she stopped, he wouldn’t give in either.

But why? Why did he expect her to always be the one? Why couldn’t he take the first step, just once?

Oh, right. The contract. That damned contract he’d made her sign, as if it gave him permission to ignore and mistreat her.

He’d seen her taking pills. He’d seen her at the counseling center. And still, he’d brushed it all aside.

“Landon, if you really feel guilty at all, do her a favor—get the divorce over with and leave her alone.”

Zoey’s words were cold and merciless as she threw them at him.