All Chapters of He Ditched Me 52 Times: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

Today was wedding attempt number fifty-two with Owen Tadder. No big crowd this time—just our families.I dragged myself through a fever to check the setup with the wedding director. Owen didn't even look at me.He was in the groom's room, giving Vanessa Fondler, his intern, a full-on ankle massage. She'd shown up limping like always.My parents just shook their heads."Really? Again? Has he ever cared about you?"Everyone knew how badly I wanted this to finally happen.But right before the ceremony, he bailed. Again.I chased after him, but he blocked me."Vanessa's leg's still bad. I gotta take her to the hospital. Let's postpone. Next time, I swear."Then he turned and helped her into the car.Five years together. Fifty-two canceled weddings. Always because of her.I used to scream, demand answers, beg him to stay.This time, I smiled. "It's fine. Vanessa probably can't wait."He blinked, caught off guard. "Cool. I'll bring that strawberry cake you love tonight."I nodd

Chapter 2

In the end, my parents stuck around to comfort me."Why don't you come back to Caverton with us?"They'd asked before.I slumped in my seat, glanced up at their hopeful eyes.Caverton—capital city, home to the biggest law firm around. Their firm. I became a lawyer because of them.I was supposed to join right after graduation. Then I met Owen in grad school and followed him to Ainsley instead.He came from a tiny rural town. He hated it when anyone brought up having more, so I kept my background quiet. For five years, he thought I was just another small-town girl like him.So for the past five years, I never told him the truth. In his eyes, I was just another small-town girl like him.In those five years, I went from newbie to name partner material. We crushed firm bonuses three years straight. Everyone called us the golden couple.I figured someday he'd be cool with the truth. But that moment never came.I sighed.No point now."Okay. I'll go."My parents lit up. Mom sque

Chapter 3

After I handed in my resignation to Mr. Specter, I went back to my desk to wrap things up.Judy—who was taking over for me—shot me a look like she wasn't ready to let go."Reiny, seriously? You're bailing? Now I'm stuck watching those two drool over each other all day!"She nodded toward Owen and Vanessa.Owen looked like he was giving Vanessa a mild lecture, but whatever tension there was vanished when he pulled out a luxury bracelet like it was a freaking magic trick. Vanessa lit up and slid it on like it was her birthday.Then she saw me.And panicked."Ms. Reinsdorf! I swear, there's nothing going on with me and Owen! It's just a bracelet!"All eyes swung to us.Five years with Owen, and he never bought me anything remotely nice. And just like him, everyone here thought I was some clueless girl from nowhere who couldn't tell real luxury from knockoff.Their pity hit like a slap.Even Judy was seething. "You're still dating him and they're making a fool outta you!"I gav

Chapter 4

Vanessa was already sober. Only one light glowed in the room.She slid her hands over Owen's chest, dressed in a tiny slip. "Owen..."He shoved her off. "Don't."She froze.His phone kept looping the same line:"Sorry, the number you dialed is unavailable..."He'd lost count. No answer."No way. She's just mad," he muttered, jumping up. "She doesn't mean it. I'll go home. That'll fix it."Owen grabbed his shoes and bolted, tuning out Vanessa yelling after him.He blew through red lights the whole way back.The second he opened the door—pitch black.Reiny hated the dark. Even when he wasn't home, she'd leave a light on.His chest tightened. "Reiny?" he called into the silence.Nothing.Click.He flipped the switch. The room was bare.She was gone. Like, really gone.He crept toward the bedroom, nerves shot, still clinging to hope.Spotless.On the nightstand, their only photo—ripped. Just his half left.His eyes locked on the background. College graduation. That was

Chapter 5

Mr. Specter was locking up when Owen rushed up, out of breath. "Did Reiny quit?"Specter blinked. "You didn't know? She came in earlier, insisted on resigning. Said it had nothing to do with you, and she'd explain to you later."Owen froze.Flashes of Reiny trying to talk to him hit hard. But every time, Vanessa had dragged him off. He'd even defended her earlier that day.He never gave Reiny a real shot to say anything.All he saw was Vanessa.Grabbing Specter's shoulders, eyes wild, he asked, "Do you know where she went?"Mr. Specter didn't flinch. Just brushed him off. "She's not my employee anymore. Call her yourself."Out of leads, Owen slumped into a chair.And just sat there.For what felt like forever.Memories started creeping in.He and Reiny met five years ago—right at the law school gate. Reiny had just finished a case with her advisor and was heading back to her dorm when Owen spotted her.Despite her protests, he insisted on carrying her suitcase all the way

Chapter 6

By the time I got back to Caverton, it was already late.My parents—early sleepers, always—were by the arrival gate, scanning every face. The second I spotted them, I ran straight into their arms, my voice shaky."Mom, Dad..."Dad ruffled my hair, smiling wide. "You're home. That's all that matters."Home hadn't changed a bit. After two days of crashing, I jumped into work at the law firm they built.They kept it hush-hush—no one knew I was their kid. I had to go through everything like a regular newbie. Probation and all.But honestly? I felt lighter. Free.Starting now, I was doing this for me.If I crushed it in Ainsley, I could do it here too.***Three months in, I passed probation. My parents threw a mini feast at home."Knew my girl would crush it!"Getting through probation at their firm? No joke.Right as Mom started setting the table, the doorbell rang.I opened it without thinking—and there he was. Owen. Three months no contact."Reiny..."He looked rough. Th

Chapter 7

Owen didn't say a word. Just shoved the bracelet into my hand like that would fix anything."Take it. It's your favorite. Doesn't mean anything—I just hope it makes you smile."I laughed, sharp and cold, eyes locked on the stupid thing. "Yeah, I don't care about it anymore."Then I chucked it straight into the trash. Heard it crack at the bottom like it knew it was done.His eyes went wide. Mouth open. Nothing came out."I only cared about it 'cause I loved you. Everything you gave me used to matter. Now? I can't even look at you. You make me sick."His eyes went red. He rubbed one like he could hide it.First time I ever saw him cry.But me? I'd cried plenty.When he got jumped after his first case.When he finally got that apartment in Ainsley.At our first wedding.And the first time he ditched me for Vanessa—yeah, I cried like it was the end of the world.He went from acting like he cared to not giving a damn.Now he was crying just because I finally didn't want him.

Chapter 8

I really thought Owen had finally peaced out of Caverton.But nope—dude roped in some of my own coworkers to pull a fast one on me. People I actually liked.By the time I stepped onto the lawn, I was floored.It was the weekend, and just seeing Owen wrecked my whole vibe.He'd recreated our first wedding—same setup, same tux I had custom-made for him. And there he was, grinning like a dope."Reiny Reinsdorf, will you marry me?"Cue the coworkers going wild."Say yes! Say yes!"My blood boiled.After days of stalking and drama, how the hell did he think this would work?His eyes lit up, like he actually believed this would be a fairytale ending."You seriously think a knockoff wedding's gonna fix this?"I snapped. Slapped him, hard. Right there in front of everyone.Silence. Just the music still playing.Someone nearby mumbled, "He said he's your boyfriend... aren't you two just...""You're really buying that?" I shot back. "Aren't you all lawyers? Try using your brains—w

Chapter 9

After that whole circus, I told everyone at the firm I was off the market for good.No dates. No flings. No guys trying to charm their way in. I was all in on my career now.Owen? He vanished. Probably crawled back to Ainsley.Meanwhile, I locked in. Case after case, I crushed it. People in legal circles started dropping my name.Then one day, a coworker accidentally found out I was related to the firm's partners—aka my parents.I braced for the nepotism whispers.Instead, they cracked up."No wonder you're such a beast—you've got the bosses' DNA!""Only rockstar parents could raise someone this good!"And just like that, I exhaled.Hearing their praise, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.Yeah. I'd earned this.I started cashing in my vacation days and hit the road.Summer? I was beachside, soaking up sun.Fall? Hiking through insane mountain views.Winter? Curled up at my parents' place, watching snow fall.Spring? Climbing peaks like I was chasing the new

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