Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 302

As Zinnia finished speaking, a mocking smile curled openly at the corner of her lips.

“If even you, Mr. Ford, can’t do it, why insist that I must?”

The moment her words landed, Landon suddenly understood what she meant. All color drained from his face.

He’d forgotten that, over the years, they’d agreed to stick to the contract—but how often had he actually honored it?

He always thought that giving her an unlimited credit card and sending gifts on holidays fulfilled his obligations as a spouse. But he never realized that, apart from those gestures, he hadn’t given her anything else at all.

“I’ve kept every promise required by our agreement. As for promises outside the contract, I’ll keep them if I want to—and if I don’t, then I won’t. Mr. Ford, don’t make this harder than it already is.”

With those words, Zinnia brushed past him and headed inside. The door shut firmly in Landon’s face, the dull thud landing squarely on his heart.

Once she was home, Zinnia pushed Landon out of her mind. She cleaned Dapper’s paws, gave him his medicine, then slipped into the bathroom for a shower.

Belle International Hotel, Veridian City.

“You went to Austerland again?”

The woman’s voice came through the phone, tinged with annoyance, her Norwegian accent unmistakable.

“Yeah.”

Yuri Ford stood on the balcony, wrapped in a loose black robe. The winter night in Veridian City was biting cold, leaving him wide awake. He swirled the wine in his glass, his casual movements betraying a deep, unspoken heaviness.

There was a brief silence on the other end.

“When are you coming back?”

Yuri paused, the wine glass hovering in midair. His gaze drifted in the direction of Zinnia’s neighborhood. For a moment, he said nothing—then finally replied, voice low, “Depends.”

Silence again.

Finally, the woman spoke. “Keep your distance from the Ford family.”

“I know.”

“Try to get some sleep.”

Just before hanging up, she seemed to mutter under her breath, “What’s with all these sudden trips to Austerland, anyway?”

Landon?

Why hadn’t he left yet?

“Zinnia, well? Do you need me to wake up Prof. Cameron to come help you chase him off?”

Prof. Cameron was Prof. Zuma’s husband, a retired professor from Veridian University.

Not wanting to worry her, Zinnia quickly replied, “No, thank you, Professor. I know him. I’ll take care of it—you should get some rest.”

“Are you sure you don’t need help?” Prof. Zuma still sounded anxious.

“Really, it’s fine.” After reassuring her and hanging up, Zinnia opened the door.

Landon was sitting against the wall, head bowed, looking as though he’d dozed off.

Zinnia frowned and called out, “Landon.”

At the sound of her voice, Landon slowly looked up.