Time-Limited Love: A Contract Expired, Not Renewed novel Chapter 378

Zinnia could only shake her head in amusement at the chaos these students were causing.

“All right, enough with your wild schemes,” she said, her tone light but firm. “Careful, or you’ll give Prof. Ford a heart attack.”

“Please, Prof. Ford would love to flirt with you, wouldn’t you, Prof. Ford?” one of the students shot back, tilting his chin toward Yuri with a mischievous grin.

Yuri, equally exasperated yet amused, met Zinnia’s gaze with a gentle smile. His eyes were warm, almost teasing. “I’d be happy to try my luck with Ms. Quinn. The real question is—would it work?”

Zinnia instinctively glanced up, catching the unmistakable affection in his eyes. For a moment, she froze, a flicker of surprise and bewilderment crossing her face.

Almost immediately, she looked away, covering her discomfort with a breezy laugh. “Do I look like the kind of woman who’d fall for cheap flirting? Enough, all of you—let’s get back to work.”

She didn’t dare meet Yuri’s eyes again, instead corralling her students and redirecting everyone’s focus to the project at hand.

But inside, Zinnia’s composure was slipping. A few moments ago, she might have convinced herself Yuri’s feelings were nothing but friendly. Now, after that look, she couldn’t even pretend.

She’d loved someone deeply before—she knew all too well what it looked like to gaze at someone you cared for. And the way Yuri looked at her... it was just like the way she used to look at Landon.

Realizing this left her flustered, unsure how to react or even where to look.

Her feelings for Yuri were simple—gratitude, friendship. Nothing more. So, when she saw the affection in his eyes, panic fluttered in her chest.

“So, you’ve figured it out?” Yuri’s tone was gentle but direct, his words carrying a quiet intensity that left no room for denial. “Now that we’re alone, Ms. Quinn, humor me—do I stand a chance with you, or not?”

Zinnia hadn’t expected him to be so forthright. She couldn’t dodge the question, even if she wanted to.

“Yuri…” She pressed her lips together, searching for the right words—clear, but not hurtful. “I just got divorced. Right now… I’m not ready for any kind of relationship.”

He nodded, taking it in stride, his composure unshaken. “I understand.” Then, with a soft, hopeful smile, he added, “When you are ready, could I be first in line?”

Zinnia was at a loss for words. Since the divorce from Landon, she hadn’t given a single thought to when—or even if—she’d be ready for something new. No one could predict what the future would bring.