Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 246

Landon glanced sideways at her, his expression unreadable. Just as he suspected, her once-calm eyes now sparkled with excitement.

She replied to her messages, a delighted smile tugging at her lips.

His hand tightened unconsciously around the steering wheel.

Jaw clenched, Landon drove on, completely distracted.

He wanted to confront her, to ask her—like he had so many times before—why she always seemed so happy chatting with this other man. But this time, the words caught in his throat.

Even as jealousy gnawed at him, he couldn’t bring himself to say a single accusing word.

Zinnia’s attention was fixed on her phone, reading the latest message from Yuri:

I’ll be flying back next weekend.

Here are my flight details—don’t forget to pick me up.

And you owe me a dinner, by the way.

Smiling, Zinnia quickly typed back:

No problem, I’ll be there on time.

Let me know what you want to eat—I’ll book a table in advance.

Yuri’s response came almost instantly.

They kept up their back-and-forth, chatting the entire drive.

Landon’s face grew darker by the mile. Several times he glanced over at Zinnia, but she never even looked up at him.

It was as if she didn’t care at all that her not-yet-ex-husband was sitting right beside her.

Landon felt jealousy burning through him, almost enough to make him lose his mind.

While they waited at a red light, he finally couldn’t help himself. He asked, “Is it that friend of yours again? The one who’s always messaging you?”

Zinnia looked up from her phone, immediately realizing who Landon meant.

Yuri’s messages were unmistakable.

But did Yuri really message her that often? She didn’t think so.

“Yeah, he’s... a very important friend,” she replied, nodding.

Another uncomfortable silence stretched between them.

Zinnia could think of nothing to add, so she simply nodded.

“Let’s not talk about the past,” she said. “I’m going inside. You should head home, too.”

She moved to close the door.

“Zinnia.”

Landon suddenly reached out, blocking the door with his hand.

“Is there something else?” Zinnia looked up at him.

Landon’s expression was strained. Forcing a smile, he said awkwardly, “Connor and the others want to come over for my birthday. They’re planning a little celebration at my place. Will you be there?”

Zinnia hesitated, caught off guard.

Seeing her uncertainty, Landon pressed on with a brittle smile. “Everyone’s bringing their partners. You could… you know, just come along. Think of it as… as a last favor to me before the divorce goes through. Just so I don’t look so pathetic.”

He tried to make it sound light, but to Zinnia, it was the saddest smile she’d ever seen.