Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 388

She stood frozen, rooted to the spot, as if her soul had been torn away in an instant—utterly motionless, like a statue.

“Cozy…” Yuri furrowed his brow, worry etched across his face as he watched her.

Zinnia slowly lifted her head, meeting the concern in Yuri’s eyes. Her lips trembled. It took every ounce of strength to force out a whisper. “They… they’re all there…”

She could barely get the words out before tears slipped down her cheeks, breaking through the dam she’d tried so hard to hold.

Yuri stepped forward and gently pulled her into his arms, rubbing her back in a soothing rhythm. “I know how much this hurts, but we have to leave now. We need to get out of Selvoria. Rescue teams have already arrived—we should go back.”

It felt as if Zinnia’s heart was being torn apart, piece by piece.

Just yesterday, Zoey—her best friend, the one she’d laughed and joked with—had been alive, full of life. Now, without a moment’s warning, she was gone.

Zinnia simply couldn’t accept it.

“No. I have to find Zoey. I can’t leave her here alone.”

She pushed Yuri aside, her legs shaking as she started toward the disaster zone.

Smoke still hung heavy in the air.

“Cozy, it’s too dangerous. There are already rescue teams searching for survivors and… for the remains. Please, come with me to the safe zone. Let’s go home first, then we can talk.”

Zinnia shook Yuri off. Her voice was steady, almost eerily calm. “I’m sorry, Yuri. Go without me. I can’t leave Zoey behind.”

Yuri’s frown deepened. “Morton’s lost his mind—he’s killing civilians and now he’s bombing the protected areas. There’s no telling what he’ll do next.”

He reached out and gently wiped the dirt from her tear-streaked face. “Come on. I’ll go with you.”

Zinnia didn’t argue. She just nodded, murmured a quiet “Thank you,” and, without another word, started quickly toward the disaster zone.

By the time they reached the site, hours had passed.

What greeted them was a wasteland of shattered buildings and rubble, the last traces of the protected area. Volunteer teams moved among the ruins, still searching, still hoping.

In that moment, Zinnia felt as though her legs had turned to concrete. She couldn’t take another step.

The helplessness was suffocating—so overwhelming that even breathing felt like it took every last bit of strength she had left.