Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 258

Jealousy, resentment, and bitterness twisted together in Noelle’s eyes.

After changing his shoes, Landon glanced at Zinnia and said, “Why don’t you sit here and rest for a bit? I’ll get you something to eat.”

Once Landon left, Zinnia sat alone on the couch, quietly collecting herself.

“Landon.”

Just as Landon was returning with a plate of food for Zinnia, Noelle suddenly appeared behind him.

He frowned, irritation flickering across his face.

Over the years, Landon had noticed Noelle’s calculated little moves. He’d let them slide, thinking they were harmless. But now, he realized what he’d brushed off as trivial had actually left invisible scars on Zinnia.

It was easy to call something harmless—when you weren’t the one getting hurt.

But could he really lay all the blame on Noelle? Not entirely. She was just the knife; he was the hand wielding it.

“Landon, did you block my number?” Noelle’s voice trembled, thick with tears, snapping Landon out of his regret and self-reproach.

“Yes.”

He didn’t bother to deny it.

His blunt, unhesitating answer drained the color from Noelle’s face.

Still, she refused to accept it. “L-Landon, did Zinnia—did she make you—”

Without another glance, Landon left, balancing the plate of food in his hands.

On the other side of the room, Leanna had, at some point, come over to sit beside Zinnia. From their spot, they had a clear view of Landon and Noelle.

They couldn’t hear what was being said, but Noelle’s waterworks were nothing new. Both Leanna and Zinnia had seen her turn on the tears more times than they could count.

“Honestly, she must have been a faucet in a past life. The waterworks never stop,” Leanna muttered, her voice full of disdain.

Ever since Noelle had saved Landon’s life when he was sixteen, she’d acted like she had a special pass with him. Her whole family milked that one act for every favor they could wring out of the Fords.

At first, no one minded—after all, a life-saving debt is no small thing, and what Landon gave the Jensens was just material stuff. No one objected.

But after Landon got married, Noelle still couldn’t keep her distance. She popped in and out of his life more than a jealous ex. That, Leanna couldn’t stand.