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All Chapters of This Time, She Walked Away First : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

22 Chapters

Chapter 1

Lena Clermont fell hard for her dad's friend, Andrew Rohan—twelve years older.The first time she saw him, he was all sharp suits and broad shoulders, effortlessly standing out. He smiled, patted her head, and handed her a princess dress.Fast forward to twenty. He got drugged at a banquet. She wore that same dress, offering herself as the cure.By morning, they were a wreck—clothes askew, air thick with implication.Nicole Jenner, Andrew's childhood sweetheart, stood frozen in the doorway before bolting, tears blinding her. She never saw the truck.She died on impact.Andrew changed after that.Buried Nicole with eerie calm. Married Lena with the same detachment. Took her to bed every night—cold, empty. And every time she got pregnant, he made sure it didn't last. Dragged her to the clinic over and over until the eighteenth time nearly killed her.Lying on the operating table, weak and drained, she heard the doctor call him.His voice was ice. "Is she dead? Let me know when s

Chapter 2

After hanging up, Lena wiped her tears, grabbed her documents, and headed for the door.The second she opened it, she nearly crashed into Andrew.Faint red kiss marks trailed down his neck, stark against his skin. Even though she'd braced herself for what went down between him and Nicole, her gaze instinctively flicked away.Andrew caught the reaction. Paired with her red-rimmed eyes, it wasn't hard to figure out what she was thinking.His tone was firm. "Lena, whether you like it or not, Nicole and I are together now. I'm marrying her."Since you're staying here, show her some respect and drop those ridiculous things you used to say."Lena's voice was steady. "Got it, Uncle Andrew."He froze.It had been years since she called him that. When she first moved into his place, it was always "Uncle Andrew" in that sweet, little voice. But the second she caught feelings? She dropped the title, refusing to use it again.His frown deepened, about to say something—"Andrew, I brought

Chapter 3

Lena frowned. "I'm not."Andrew stepped in, eyes locked on her. "Still denying it? You leave early, come back late, won't even say hi. If that's not avoiding me, what is? Because I'm with Nicole now?"Lena shook her head fast. "No! Uncle Andrew, I'm genuinely happy for you. You found the one you love, and as someone who grew up around you, I really do wish you both happiness. Don't worry—I know you'll never like me, so I won't like you anymore either."She said it so matter-of-factly, like it was just a simple truth.Andrew's expression darkened.Lena not liking him? Yeah, right."You confessed, I rejected you. You clung to me, I rejected you. And now what? Changing tactics?" His eyes didn't miss the slight flicker in hers, and his suspicion only grew.He stepped closer, gaze dropping to the box in her arms. "You don't like me anymore? Then why write me all these love letters? Why sketch me over and over? You chased me for years, and now you expect me to believe you just stopped

Chapter 4

Lena didn't take Andrew's words that day seriously.She just waited for her immigration papers to go through so she could leave.But Nicole wouldn't let her go so easily.That day, Nicole insisted on taking her shopping. But not long after they got in the car, Lena blacked out.When she came to, she was tied up on a cliffside overlooking the ocean.A few feet away, Nicole was bound the same way.Lena struggled, trying to ask why, but the tape over her mouth turned her words into muffled whimpers.Nicole sneered. "Lena, I didn't want to do this. But after what Andrew said that day, I had to be sure. So I set up a little test—let's see who he chooses."Cold dread seeped into Lena's bones.Did this even need testing? The answer was obvious.Soon, Andrew arrived, tossing two briefcases full of cash forward. His eyes burned with fury. "I brought the money. Let them go."But the kidnappers, acting under Nicole's orders, didn't budge. One of them smirked. "Mr. Rohan, I didn't do th

Chapter 5

The slap sent Lena crashing to the ground.Her face throbbed instantly, blood pooling at the corner of her mouth. A sharp ringing drowned out everything—no voices, no gasps, just a hollow silence.Her fingers brushed the burning imprint on her cheek, and tears spilled before she could stop them.Andrew had never hit her before.But before the shock could settle, he was already gone, storming out the front door.Lena sucked in a shaky breath and scrambled to her feet, chasing after him.She wasn't running for him. She was running because she knew what might happen next.Boom!Thunder cracked, shaking the ground as rain poured down in thick, blinding sheets.Through the storm, Andrew stood firm, arms locked around Nicole's trembling frame.Nicole thrashed, her voice breaking. "Today was supposed to be perfect, and she ruined it. How do you expect me to stay after that?"She still won't let go of you. I don't want to fight over a man with some younger girl. Maybe I should just—

Chapter 6

Lena woke up in bed, her body aching. Andrew stood beside her, cold and unreadable."You really outdid yourself this time," he said, voice like ice. "I should've left you in there for three days, but Nicole—being so generous—begged me to let you out."I know you still can't let go, but listen up, Lena. I will never love a girl twelve years younger than me. You and I? Not happening."The door slammed behind him before she could even open her mouth.Lena leaned against the headboard, eyes shut, exhaling slow. 'Andrew... I really don't love you anymore.'***The Rohan estate buzzed with wedding prep. Nicole flitted around, barking orders, all smiles as she looped her arm through Lena's—like their messy history had magically disappeared."The venue's set, decorations are perfect. Only thing missing? A bridesmaid. Lena, you'd be PERFECT! Who knows? Maybe you'll hit it off with a groomsman and finally get a boyfriend."Her voice dripped with fake sweetness.Lena wasn't great at pret

Chapter 7

The Rohan estate stayed lit all night.Lena sat frozen on the couch, nails digging so deep into her palms they drew blood. She didn't feel a thing. Just stared at the clock as it crawled from midnight to seven a.m.The second it chimed, hurried footsteps echoed outside.Andrew stormed in, eyes blazing with pure rage. A chill ran down Lena's spine.He took a whip from a servant and stepped toward her, slow and deliberate."Lena Clermont, do you realize Nicole and the baby almost died?"Baby?Nicole was pregnant?Shock crashed over her—but then, clarity.Right. In her past life, she'd been the one pregnant at this exact moment.But this time, she'd been the one to shove Nicole into Andrew's arms.So of course, now it was Nicole carrying his child.No time to dwell on it.Andrew stood there, ready to use his so-called "disciplinary punishment" just to vent Nicole's anger. Lena's eyes burned red as she fought to explain."I didn't touch the dress. I never tried to hurt her. F

Chapter 8

A week later, the grand wedding between the Rohan and Jenner families went on as planned.Since Nicole was pregnant, the ceremony was toned down—but even then, it was pure luxury.Guests walked in and got gift bags worth tens of thousands. Everything, from the seating arrangements to the décor, was custom-made.Roses bloomed across the venue—planted by Andrew for Nicole ten years ago.The diamond chandeliers? Designed and commissioned just for her.Even the plates? Handcrafted to match her taste.Every little detail screamed devotion.Guests couldn't stop gushing."Mr. Rohan and Ms. Jenner have such a beautiful love story. I heard they've been childhood sweethearts.""That's right. I even heard Mr. Rohan nearly died saving her once.""If I could marry someone like Mr. Rohan, my life would be complete..."...Andrew barely heard the chatter.His eyes were on his phone, hesitation flickering in them.It'd been a week since Lena had left. But she hadn't called. Not even a te

Chapter 9

The thought barely surfaced before Andrew shut it down.Impossible.Lena had been obsessed with him. The idea of her moving on? Unthinkable.She was playing hard to get. Had to be.A cold glint flashed in his eyes. Whatever tricks she pulled, he wouldn't fall for them. Nicole was—and always would be—the only woman he loved.Shoving aside all distractions, he turned to Nicole. With steady conviction, he spoke each word clearly."Nicole Jenner, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, I promise to stand by you. To love you, to be faithful to you, and to spend the rest of my life with you."Nicole's eyes welled up. Overcome with emotion, she kissed him, deep and devoted.The wedding went off without a hitch.No dramatic interruptions.No last-minute disasters.Nicole stayed perfectly fine the whole time.Andrew even earned praise from friends—apparently, he'd never looked more focused or in love.But only he knew the truth.He hadn't been focused at all.All day, an

Chapter 10

Kenny hesitated, then nodded and turned to leave—only to nearly crash into Nicole, who stood at the doorway."Mrs. Rohan."His greeting snapped Andrew's attention toward her.Andrew's expression shifted. He grabbed a blanket from the chair and strode over."Why are you up? Are you cold? Is the baby giving you trouble?"He draped the blanket over her shoulders, taking her hands in his to warm them.Nicole smiled faintly, but her voice held a trace of worry. "I couldn't sleep without you, so I came to check on you. I overheard... Lena really left the country? Is it because of me?"Her eyes reddened as she lowered her head, guilt washing over her face.Andrew pulled her close, pressing a kiss to the top of her head."Of course not. She's just being childish. Don't worry about her."But Nicole still looked uneasy. She clutched his shirt, gazing up at him."But the Clermonts entrusted her to you. What if something happens to her?"Andrew ran a thumb over her damp lashes, his voi

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