Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 240

Chandler stood off to the side, utterly dumbfounded by everything he’d just heard. Watching his own wife berate his best friend right to his face, he didn’t dare step in to stop her.

So Zinnia had nearly died. That explained a lot.

His gaze shifted to Landon, a complicated mix of sympathy and frustration welling up inside him. Really, what more could he say? He’d told Landon “serves you right” so many times, the words had lost all meaning.

Honestly, compared to Landon, Chandler realized he had it easy. He didn’t need his friend’s company in suffering—he was afraid Landon’s bad luck would start rubbing off on him.

He sidled up next to Zoey, trying to sound soothing but keeping his voice low, wary that her fury might spill over onto him. “Babe, maybe that’s enough. Landon looks like he’s about to cry.”

Zoey shot Landon a frosty glance and snapped, “Let him cry. Would serve him right.”

Even so, she couldn’t quite bring herself to leave just yet. There was still something unfinished. She hadn’t told Elijah Quinn or Jessica Spencer about what had happened; she felt she owed it to them to stay and look after Zinnia in their absence.

Not long after, word got out. Members of the Ford family, including Zane, soon arrived at the hospital. When they saw Landon, even they were taken aback.

Landon looked utterly defeated—shoulders slumped, face pale, eyes rimmed red. He seemed so broken, so lost, it was as if the slightest touch would shatter him completely.

“How’s Zinnia?” Zane strode forward, his expression grave.

Zoey’s demeanor softened as she addressed him. “Zane.”

He offered a gentle, reassuring smile. “It’s alright, dear. Can you tell me how Zinnia’s doing?”

Zoey realized she had gotten so caught up in scolding Landon that she hadn’t even checked on Zinnia’s condition. She shot Landon a hard look. “Zane, you’ll have to ask him.”

She gestured at Landon, her voice icy.

But Landon didn’t speak. He just sat there, hollow-eyed, as if his soul had left his body.

Zane shook his head and sighed. “I warned him he’d regret this someday.”

Regret and guilt were written all over Zane’s face as he spoke.

“Grandpa, please don’t say that,” Zinnia said quickly. “It’s not your fault. It has nothing to do with you.”

Zane shook his head. “Landon was always the one we never had to worry about. We never imagined he’d lose his way like this with Noelle—and let you get hurt in the process.”

Zinnia shook her head again, more adamant this time. “Really, Grandpa, it’s not your fault. Please don’t blame yourself. Actually…”

She hesitated, then decided she needed to be honest.

“Grandpa, I’m sorry. The truth is… Landon and I—we were never really married. It was all just for show.”

She knew Zane had always treated her like his own granddaughter, and with the divorce looming, he deserved to know the truth.

“Just for show?” Zane was stunned. “What do you mean?”